Leaf scorch occurs when a plant receives too little water to compensate for the moisture it loses through its leaves to hot summer air. Leaf Curl: Rhododendron leaves begin to cup and curl at the edges when temperatures drop to below 35 ºF. When the temperature drops below 35°F, rhododendron leaves begin to cup and curl at the edges. Yellow rhododendron leaves often represent the plant’s expression of dissatisfaction with its care. Rhodies are picky about the soil you plant them in and about how much water they like. Azalea/Rhododendron > Leaves > Curled, cupped, or distorted leaves. Title: Why do Rhododendron Leaves Curl? 14 years ago. I didn't do anything over the winter but mulch it. Author: Erik Tallak Nilsen Created Date: 9/8/2006 11:04:03 AM Summer Heat. If you see your rhododendron leaves turning yellow, review each and every element of the plant’s care. At 25 ºF, the leaves will be curled very tight and begin to droop. As more and more home gardeners in the Southern and Midwestern states begin to grow rhododendrons, increased attention must be paid to the hot summer sun. Over the past few weeks, however, I notice that while much of the plant looks good (leaves appear normal), parts of the plant just seem to be dying off - leaves curl … At 25°F, the leaves have curled so tight that half the leaf surface has disappeared and the leaves droop. This summer was very hot and dry in our area. The rhododendron did receive waterings when the leaves started to look a bit limp. Most varieties exposed to unprotected all-day sun are doomed. Curled up leaves This happens when it gets cold during winter as the plant tries to conserve water in the cold spell. When brown leaves show up in a rhododendron, it's usually at winter's end -- right before flowering time. Healthy, vibrant leaves are an important part of the spring performance of a rhododendron (Rhodenderon spp.). I recently purchased two Rhododendron's in a 15" x12" plastic tub. 1 of 3. Non-selective herbicide injury ... Shrubs sprayed during the summer or fall may not have noticeable injury until the following season when leaves appear as stunted, narrow, strap-like, and … Both have slow release 'pellets' put in by reputable local nursery! I planted a Rhododendron shrub last spring, it looked nice at the nursery (and was in flower at the time) but it seemed to poop out over the summer. The second has started to curl it's leaves. The shrub's colorful blossoms are meant to be viewed against a lustrous backdrop of green. Rhododendron leaves curled and dry looking. bonitaapplebum. Rhododendrons are bushy and approximately 15" tall. This happens just before winter or in summer drought. A rhododendron rated hardy to 5°F, no matter how beautiful it is, planted in Green Bay, Wisconsin, will not survive. It looked pretty tired, and dropped a number of leaves. 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