Looking for Rhodie advice - Ask Extension
Hi- We are in Issaquah, WA a couple blocks away from Lake Sammamish in the South Cove Area (west side of the lake). For the last 3 years, the leaves o...
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Looking for Rhodie advice #631045
Asked May 04, 2020, 2:01 PM EDT
Hi- We are in Issaquah, WA a couple blocks away from Lake Sammamish in the South Cove Area (west side of the lake). For the last 3 years, the leaves on all of our Rhodies have turned mostly brown. They are over 25 years old and we have not done a lot to maintain them. Previously they thrived. I'm enclosing a picture of the leaves, what it looks like where they are planted. I do water them almost every day in the summer - although, there definitely have times when I've forgotten to. Last year we tried putting rhododendron fertilizer spikes around them but it did not seem to help. We use a mulch type of bark-- not a beauty bark- where they're planted. Thanks for any advice..
King County Washington
Expert Response
Hello, The damage is consistent with that of lace bugs. Here is a link to more information. http://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/Search/MainMenuWithFactSheet.aspx?CategoryId=1&SubCatId=4&PlantDefId=32&ProblemId=541
While this is a tentative diagnosis, it is important to confirm the problem. Please submit a sample to the WSU King County Master Gardeners when it is safe to do so.
https://extension.wsu.edu/king/gardening/
While this is a tentative diagnosis, it is important to confirm the problem. Please submit a sample to the WSU King County Master Gardeners when it is safe to do so.
https://extension.wsu.edu/king/gardening/