What causes white fungus on azaleas?

Actually, what you are seeing is called an “Azalea Leaf Gall” which is caused by a fungus, Exobasidium vaccinii. “Azalea leaf gall” is quite common and first shows up in early spring on new azalea growth and causes the leaves to become distorted and thickened.

What is white stuff on azalea branches?

The white mounds congregating on azalea limbs are adult females and their egg sacs, shielded beneath a dense, insecticide-resistant covering of waxy white threads. Once shielded, the reddish insects remain where they are until death.

How do you get rid of white spots on azaleas?

You can control them with any of the general purpose insecticidal sprays for outdoor ornamentals, such as Malathion, Acephate, permethrin, cyfluthrin or bifenthrin. A light horticultural oil, such as Year-Round Spray Oil, would be the least toxic effective treatment.

How do I save my azaleas?

If your azalea is dying, you need to apply a fish emulsion to revitalize the plant. Spread a compost over the root system and keep the soil moist with mulch. What is this? If you don’t water and mulch azaleas during hot dry days, the leaves will scorch and the plant will begin to fade.

Can I use insecticidal soap on azaleas?

Insecticidal soap sprays during the growing season will help control crawlers and adults of soft scales, like the azalea bark scale. Spray the plants thoroughly, so that the soap spray drips or “runs off” from the upper and under sides of leaves, twigs, and plant stems.

What does azalea petal blight look like?

Azalea petal blight

The first signs are small spots that look water-soaked. These enlarge rapidly and merge. Within two or three days, whole flowers become limp and slimy, and then turn light brown.

Why do my azaleas look sick?

Nutrient deficiencies are another common factor with azaleas. Plants may exhibit discoloration with fewer or undersized foliage and flowers. Nitrogen and iron are the most commonly seen deficiencies in azaleas. Inappropriate watering can cause foliage to wilt, discolor, and drop.

What is killing my azaleas?

If your azalea bushes are dying, look for pests. Two boring insects that cause dying branches on azaleas include the rhododendron borer and the rhododendron stem borer. … There is no conventional insecticide that kills the larvae because they are protected inside the branch.

Why is my outdoor azalea dying?

A Leaves and flowers may fall off an azalea that has been exposed to draughts, watered erratically, or if the rootball dries out. The secret of success with azaleas is keeping the compost moist at all times. … Don’t leave azaleas standing in water.

Why do my azaleas look scraggly?

That’s because azaleas bloom on old wood, so they produce flowerbuds on last year’s growth. … You won’t hurt the plant by pruning during warm months, but if you want flowers, hide your clippers after spring. The best time to trim azaleas is just after they’ve finished blooming.

Is Miracle Grow good for azaleas?

Feed them with Miracle-Gro plant food. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron Plant Food is a special plant food designed for acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, dogwoods, magnolias, gardenias, orchids and all evergreens. It is rich in iron and other essential nutrients.