Rhododendron

This is the second year running ..i am having problems with a Rhodo...it looks dreadful..I lost one last year and now this one is going the same way...and for some reason it is always the light colour leaves species that I lose....I have another one with dark green leaves and that is beautiful..buds are breaking out now....so is that type prone to problems...can anyone help...many thanks....

 

Are they in pots or the ground? they like acid soil or ericacious compost, and try to keep them sheltered, if in pots keep well watered especialy after flowering and feed them.

 

they are both in containers in the correct soil...that is why I dont understand why the dark leafed one is ok..and the light leaf is'nt..and that is the 2nd one to go like that.....

 

My initial thought is that you have two different species.

There are three groups ... evergreen, semi-evergreen and decidious. Depending on the species they bloom anywhere from February well into the Autumn.

If it's only the second year, I think they are now settling into their "normal" habit rather than having been "brought on" in a greenhouse before you bought them.

They do prefer partial shade.

I say, have patience at this point in time. If I knew which species they are, perhaps I could advice further.

 

I didn't know there was light coloured leaved types and dark coloured leaved types.
Did the light leaved one have light leaves when you bought it, if so, it sounds to me that there was already a problem.
If its not a ph problem then perhaps its something like vine weevil.
Ideas anyone?

 

Rhododendron leaves range from light green, mid green, bright green to dark green, and even blue grey.

The "dido" raised in England in 1934, has light green leaves. Lemon Lodge has bright light to mid-green.

Some have glossy leaves, others matt, leathery and some even hairy.

I'd still like to know if littleorme knows which species, if not, which colours may assist.

 

I've never been to a rhodo specialist, but apart from the odd varigated one most on sale have had good dark green leaves.

 

Many thanks for all your responses...all I know is, it is called "Scarlett Jack".........and poor Jack does not look atall well.....