Very sick satsuki azalea

Paul Phillis

Hi


This may be a bit late for your azalea, but my protocol for intensive care with any suspect rootproblems is to plant the tree in a large planter box (styrofoam fruit box etc) in course washed sand, that is seived between 2 -5mm, washed of all silt and fine sand. Take your tree from its pot, shake once or twice to remove any loose mix and plant into the sand, do not cut any roots. Work the sand in and around the remaining roots with chopstick as for normal potting. Place the tree in a shady position. When you water only water the sand part, not the old original potting mix.


The course sand will provide good oxygen levels. If your original potting mix is too fine or waterlogging or just plain crap then the healthiest roots will be at the outside of the rootball, were you have now placed your oxygen rich sand. Do not fertilize and do not over water, just keep moist. I mulch with oaten straw if I have it on hand. Be careful not to over water as the old mix may absorb excess from the sand. If the roots are sick they will not be taking in water, they just need to kewp moist until new roots can grow into the sand. Hopefully the tree is not too far gone.

Check the small weak growth for die back. If it stops and doesnt get worse then you may have saved it. I don't use fungicides as they will saturate the soil and starve the tree of oxygen, besides if the fungus is already in the root tissue it is too late.

Good luck

Paul