Ugly azalea leaves

[Clt49er]

In 7b NC. My azaleas leaves always look crummy like this. These are about 5 years old. Ones on outside are different than two in middle. They flower in spring and fall nicely. I apply danocil in the summer when humidity picks up. I give them some miracle grow a few times a year. Full sun in the afternoon and evening. I thought window glare was the issue but I tested a window shade two summers ago and no difference. We had a few weeks with zero rain last month and last week a full week of rain. No difference. Nutrient difficiency? Have done soil tests for lawn. Soil is acidic, like. 6.5 if i remember correctly. High potassium levels and low phosphorus (as it relates to my bermuda grass needs). Compost has been mixed in over the years.

 

[Chuck]

I don't believe it is a nutritional problem. It appears to be damage caused by either Azalea mites or the red mite. If you google mites on azaleas you will see identical pictures as you have posted.

 

[Clt49er]

I don't believe it is a nutritional problem. It appears to be damage caused by either Azalea mites or the red mite. If you google mites on azaleas you will see identical pictures as you have posted.

Oh wow. Didnt consider insects. Thanks!! Looks like neem oil may help.

 

[Chuck]

Oh wow. Didnt consider insects. Thanks!! Looks like neem oil may help.

Just remember that Neem should be applied LATE afternoons or early mornings to avoid sunburn. Also, Neem has a limited shelf life once opened. Mites have a complicated reproduction cycle and as such will require numerous applications. I would spray every 5-7 days for a month. You also MUST spray both sides of the leaf. The good news is that they don't lay eggs in the soil.