I look after some rhododendrons belonging to my friend..they seemed okay in the autumn, but have now developed brown spots (see photo)..I took some leaves along to the Forestry Research Center here in Victoria where they said that they didn't think that it was "sudden oak death"..they didn't want to test them even though the provinces' site says that they will, but that's another story. Help! please..Any ideas? PS: I don't think that it was sun scorch from the summer..they didn't have these in the fall
Is it an old leaf (2006 flush or earlier), or a new leaf (2007 flush)? If the former, probably nothing to worry about, if the latter, then it could be more serious.
there was a thread here similar last year, but i can't find it. A number of people were talking about the older leaves on their rhodos having brown spots and being a bit yellowish. it was suggested it was a reaction to the cold freezing we had experienced over the winter. I think if i remember correctly that the consensus was that if the new growth was free of spots, chalk it up to the freeze and try not to worry. Wish i could find that post from last year though... I can't even remember which forum it was in. Sorry. Anne
All leaves visible look deformed, as though the planting site is unsuitable. So, the burned area could be physiological damage, such as too much sun. Rhododendrons have fine roots that usually demand a well-aerated (porous) soil, if the roots of this one are in an unsuitable environment the top may be having trouble because of that. With all trees and shrubs the roots run the show, if the roots are bad off the tops surely will be as well. I also notice the burned leaf shown here is yellowish with small areas of green, another indication of problems - the leaf should be evenly green throughout. Possibly this specimen is actually infested with a virus. If so, this can't be helping it.
