Why does azalea drop its leaves?

Reason 1

Unsuitable environment

The azalea dropping leaves is a manifestation of its adaptation to the environment. Sudden changes in the environment or frequent moves will change its growth conditions. People may have difficulty acclimatizing when they arrive at a certain place, let alone flowers! If azalea cannot adapt to the environment in time, it is likely to die.

Solution

If you change the environment to care for azaleas, you should maintain the air humidity, provide appropriate shade, keep the potting soil relatively moist, and maintain ventilation, but avoid direct cold wind. Don't rush to change the soil or apply fertilizer after moving to a new environment. Most things will get better if you put them in a cool place for 1 to 2 weeks.

In winter, try to place the plant under a south window. The temperature should not be lower than 5℃. Do not move it at will to avoid temperature changes, and do not place it in a place with polluted air.

Reason 2

Improper fertilization

Improper fertilization, too high a concentration of fertilizer will burn the roots and cause leaf fall, while too little fertilization and poor nutrition will also cause leaf fall.

Solution

Apply thin fertilizers frequently, once every 7 to 10 days, or once every half a month. Try to use liquid fertilizers, which are conducive to the volatilization of fertilizer effects. Try to avoid applying fertilizer when the midday sun is at its strongest, and do not apply fertilizer when the temperature is too high in summer.

If the plant is overfertilized, it is recommended to dilute the fertilizer in the pot by watering or changing the potting soil.

Reason 3

Improper watering

Azalea may also shed leaves due to improper watering. Azalea has a delicate root system and is not drought-tolerant, nor is it waterlogged. Too much or too little watering is not good, and can easily cause the azalea to shed leaves.

Workaround

Water the plant in time according to the condition of the soil in the pot. Insert a wooden root into the soil. When there is a lot of fine soil on the stick, it means the soil is moist and you can water it less. When the soil is basically not sticky, you need to water it more.

Reason 4

Unsuitable soil

Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil, and the pH value of the soil should be stable between 4.5 and 6. If you use tap water for a long time when watering, the soil will gradually become alkaline. This growing environment is intolerable for azaleas. Not only will the leaves fall off, but the azalea will also die.

Solution

The culture soil for azalea must be acidic soil with good ventilation and rich in humus. Usually, you should apply some alum fertilizer water to the azalea, or add a little ferrous sulfate to the water to maintain the acidity of the soil for planting azalea.

Reason 5

Pests and diseases

Pests and diseases are also the reasons why azaleas shed leaves. During the rainy season, azaleas are easily infected with brown spot disease. After the disease occurs, the leaves turn yellow and fall off. In severe cases, the plant dies.

Solution

Make sure the plants are well ventilated and well lit. The humidity of the environment should not be too high. Apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium mixed fertilizer appropriately to enhance its disease resistance.

If diseased leaves are found, they should be removed in time and burned in batches. In the early stage of the disease, spray 0.5% Bordeaux mixture.