Marianne's Response

Nova Zembla Rhododendron

Hi Marianne, thank you for your response much appreciated. As requested, please see attached a close up of the leaf. I purchased a bottle of Bonide Copper Fungicide and sprayed the rhododendrons for the first time. Should I continue to use this product? Also, when should I expect the rhododendrons to bloom? Late May?

I will definitely follow your advice and hopefully the shrubs will do better this summer. Look forward to your response.

Kind regards,
Yvonne

Posted by Yvonne Ortiz on May 18, 2022

Marianne's Response

If this was my garden I would not be too worried nor would I spray again. The reason is that the oldest leaves are yellow and damaged while the newer foliage looks fine. Just pull off the yellow leaves and collect any that have fallen. From the size of the buds I suspect this rhododendron to be in flower in about 3 to 4 weeks depending on the weather. When a plant becomes stressed it is more susceptible to disease and insects  but with the extra water and mulch you use this summer I am confident your rhodie will thrive. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti