What is wrong with this azalea?

[420benz]

I have some on the east side and on the west side of my house. They all look like this.

 

[Chuck]

Looks like septoria leaf spot. Spray with a copper based fungicide and keep soil covered with a sprinkling of horticultural cornmeal.

 

[420benz]

I have been spraying these azaleas every 4 days since the post and they all look the same way. Will the original green color ever come back?

 

[Chuck]

I have been spraying these azaleas every 4 days since the post and they all look the same way. Will the original green color ever come back?

Once they are infected the spots will not disappear. You will probably start to see new leaf growth and the old leaves will start to turn brown and drop off.

 

[420benz]

When should i stop spraying? How will i know when the fungus i gone?

 

[Chuck]

When should i stop spraying? How will i know when the fungus i gone?

spray for another week to make sure. Be sure to destroy any fallen leaves and don't fertilize. Mulch if you haven't already and keep a close watch to make sure it isn't spreading and hope for dry weather. In about a month spray again

 

[420benz]

Will do, Thanks

 

[LivingHorticulturally]

Yes leaf spot, you can remove the badly infected leaves, make sure you spray undersides also. Hope this helps.

 

[420benz]

Thanks Again.

 

[420benz]

Well i decided that 3 of my azaleas are to far gone so i am going to replace them with Encore Azaleas. Should i spray them after planting or wait and see if they also get a fungus?
BTW: Where is this fungus coming from and why only on azaleas? Thanks

 

[Chuck]

Well i decided that 3 of my azaleas are to far gone so i am going to replace them with Encore Azaleas. Should i spray them after planting or wait and see if they also get a fungus?
BTW: Where is this fungus coming from and why only on azaleas? Thanks

It lives in the soil as fungal spores. It can be wind blown but most often it is splashed up on the leaves during watering or rain. Not all plants are prone to developing fungal infections and some are more prone than others. Since you already know that the fungus is present I would maintain a preventative spray regimen and I would also apply a thick layer of mulch to prevent soil splash.

 

[420benz]

OK Thanks All of my plant beds are covered in mulch. My next question was going to be, is the mulch the culprit but i quess not. Someone suggested to spread cornmeal over the soil.Should i spread cornmeal over the mulch?

 

[Chuck]

OK Thanks All of my plant beds are covered in mulch. My next question was going to be, is the mulch the culprit but i quess not. Someone suggested to spread cornmeal over the soil.Should i spread cornmeal over the mulch?

HorticulturaL cornmeal is the favorite growing medium for a fungus called tricoderma. Tricoderma destroys other harmful fungi. Horticultural cornmeal is NOT the cornmeal used to make cornbread. If the package of cornmeal says "enriched" anywhere on it it is not what you want. Many people who grow roses make a tea out of it and spray this tea regularly in order to prevent black spot plus sprinkling it on the soil all around their plants.

 

[420benz]

WOW Growing these plants seems to be high maintenance.Are there any azaleas that are not susceptible to fungus?

 

[Chuck]

Weather is a major factor when it comes to fungus. In wet humid conditions fungus becomes more prevalent on many, many plants.