Ailing Baby Azalea

tdlabrie

I recently acquired a young azalea (Kiusianum) from a reputable nursery. After waiting a little while, a couple weeks, I transplanted it into a large pot so it could grow. I was advised to use "an azalea soil" with grit. I ended up with 40% grit and 60% "Turf King" (aged and composed Douglas Fir bark, compost), which the nursery assured me was the slightly acidic base azaleas need.

A species guide website recommended daily watering, if necessary of course. With the fast draining mix and pretty warm weather (for Seattle anyway), the soil has been bone-dry every day and I've watered thoroughly.

Now I see that many of the leaves are reddish in color; some are half-red, not lengthwise, but the outermost half of the leaf.

Sorry no picture. Does anybody have a clue what I'm doing wrong? Too much water, not enough, bad soil choice, should have waited longer to transplant? What??

Thanks in advance.

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Terry
(Green Pea)

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Do you have a picture? Azaleas absolutely don't like to dry out, and if they do, they are dead. No takebacks, no do-overs.

What works as an amendment for garden planting may not do so well in the confines of a bonsai pot.

Kanuma is an ideal soil for azaleas. If you can't get that, most people substitute a mix containing 1/3 to 1/2 peat, and the balance being about as you've described above.

Peat can be hard to re-wet, but it does hold moisture better than orchid bark and grit.

Regards,

Matt

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tdlabrie

Thanks very much for the response Matt, it's a pleasure hearing from somebody as talented and experienced as you. I am, however, a little confused about a couple of things. Perhaps you could help?

Regarding the soil, while this mixture might not be as good as the one you recommend, I have read on this forum, other forums, and in a book or two, that for initial growing some people plant trees in the ground. In the ground! So, are you saying this soil is worse for the tree than the ground? Are you saying this soil is what's causing the leaf problem?

About the water, wow! I had heard that azaleas liked water, but I had no idea that the very instant they dried out, wham! That's it, ta ta! What about all the azaleas in people's yards? They're not bonsais yet with the specific root structure, but then neither is this. Confusing! So are you saying the lack of water killed this tree? Or that insufficient water is causing the discoloration?

Lastly, you mention nothing to specifically help this particular tree. Is that because it's too late? Or should I do nothing and just "wait and see"? Or should I take it to the trash right now?

Please clarify for me, Matt. Thanks in advance.

__________________
Terry
(Green Pea)