Azalea Root Rot ??

[James Nipper]

My Mom has some very old Azaleas, probably at least 50 years old. They have always done very well, and bloom well this year. I cut them back for her each year, usually doing just a "trim" , but at times I cut them back

1/3 of their total height, and there has never been a problem. This year, they were just "trimmed."

Here in Fla, we had a lot of rain in the Spring and early Summer. These azaleas are now dying from something. She took a sample to a nursery, and they said it looked like root rot. I did not talk with them myself, but it seems their opinon was that there was no cure.

I have thought there is nothing to lose, to go ahead and cut them **way** back, in the hopes that might rejuvenate them some how. I have told her not to water them for a while.

Any other ideas ?????????

Thanks for any help !!

--James--

[Gun Nut]

Whats the Ph of the soil?

[James Nipper]

I don't know the ph of the soil, but does it change over the years ???

--james--

[Steveo]

Yes. In fact, everytime you fertilize you're adding acid to your soil. That may not even be a problem for you..or you'll need to add lime to counter it..

Depends on what your PH reads. (where do you live?)

[Steveo]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Disregard above please. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I just realized you're talking about Azalea's and not turfgrass.

[James Nipper]

No problem, thank you.

We gave the azaleas a good pruning, and that may allow them to come back stronger. Even though it is summer, I can see small green growth coming back on them already.

--James--