This is What Root Rot and Frost Damage Look Like | Phytophthora, the Rhododendron Killer

[@jimbailey3705]

I had both those issues happen to me last Spring! Buds killed by the frost (I suspected that was what had happened, but wasn't sure until this video confirmed it) and again... I had one die from root rot (once again, I suspected it... and this confirms I was right). Thanks, these are very very helpful videos! I didn't get a cutting of the one I lost, but it was new and the variety is widely available, so I can replace it once I've worked out a better spot to plant it in!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad this was helpful. What was the variety you lost?

[@maehay4065]

Mike this looked like my Bella Roma roses. I was going to deadhead but I decided to leave them alone and when the weather warmed up they started blooming into 4-5 inches wide with the most aromatic flowers! Love your big yard filled with beautiful Rhododendrum‘s!👍

[@tracygrove3484]

Thanks for this one Mike! Not sure how I missed this one till now but now I know what happened to my Rhoadies. I had 4 in pots while building the planter for them all budded up and ready to go. Your vid is exactly what happened here plus I had a lot of leaf dropping... like 75% on some and some blackened stems near the buds.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Glad to help

[@michaelbahr7267]

we have been in the 60s and 70s for almost 2 weeks and now were freezing overnight for 3 days. left a like

[@MikeKincaid79]

Crazy temp swings

[@agekjrgardpayoutube2593]

Mike Kincaid we had the same thing happen here in WI.

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

I'm leaning so much on this plant I think I may have to grow some. Lol

[@MikeKincaid79]

It's my secret mission. To get Mark to plant rhododendrons, lol.

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

@@MikeKincaid79 you are evil 😈 I knew it . Lol

[@jhezamora]

very beautiful video!amazing flower!great landscape u have and love it...stay safe always

[@wordvendor1]

Your landscape is beautiful! Wish I could grow azaleas and rhodies like that! Mid-MO just isn't a great place for them.

[@MikeKincaid79]

The grass is always greener, lol. I'm a in a beautiful region to grow things and sometimes I wish I was in a more tropical area so I could grow vireyas.

[@peggyluna4670]

Great video!! Very informative 😊😊😊😊

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks, Peggy!

[@servetu0131m]

I see your finger didnt get better till the last update but you learned to live with it, hope I will too

[@MikeKincaid79]

It still doesn't work but you'll get use to it, trust me.

[@servetu0131m]

@@MikeKincaid79 Thanks for the support Mike, I hope so

[@camicri4263]

That sucks, Mike! The weather here was crazy too. We had over 80 degrees last week and today high was ove 20 degrees lower.... Mind you, I prefer 62 degrees versus 87. But next week we are going to have 89 one day....It was so nuts....tomorrow I have to check my garlic, I think that I have to harvest it. I thought it's going to be done in the 1st few days of July but the leaves are yellowed almost all. So tomorrow I have to check them out. The crocus didn't even flower, so annoyed. Also I have to plant my onions tomorrow.....lots of work. I hope I can do it all. Hugs!🤗💜

[@MikeKincaid79]

Haha, you sound like me. So much to do and so little time. The rest of the world starts going on vacation in the spring and summer. Us gardeners stare panicking, haha.

[@camicri4263]

😆😅 so true! I wanted to plant onions at least a month ago. 1st I had to wait for my husband to make me a planter, than for my son to put the soil in....oh, soooo annoyning not to be able to do things myself and my knees been hurting and sleeping really poorly. Oh, I have to cook too tomorrow...ugh. I made 4 banana bread loafs and they are freaking gone, honestly I could have eaten all myself...they were soooooo yummy. Last time I substituted flour with coconut flour 1 to 1 ratio...it was so crumbling and coconuty not a good thing. I rarely follow the recipe completely, always change things up and sometimes not so successful. It would do a great cooking/ garden/ whatever comes to mind show. Too many people in the house, maybe that will be a good thing to add to the chaos.

[@judybarker3117]

This fungus disease killed my 60 y.o. Beech tree. According to the arborist, this fungus always lives in the soil and because the beech tree had other, unidentified issues, the tree became vulnerable to the fungus.

[@camicri4263]

Oh, terrible

[@joycefinney2735]

Judy Barker I had a 12 year old rhododendron that died just like Mikes.If it is a fungal disease and lives in the soil what do I do?

[@judybarker3117]

Joyce Finney , according to my arborist, this fungus is always present in the soil and only compromised plants (or at least trees) will die from it. My beech tree had, had some insect issues and in the course of the next couple of years the bark began to fall off in ever growing chunks. The arborist said the tree was dying and that darned fungus was able to overwhelm it only because the tree had these other “co-issues”. The only remedy was to have the tree taken down as it was dying. You can ask Mike K. but I think you should take down your Rhody. The good thing is, your other healthy rhodies will be just fine.

[@joycefinney2735]

Judy Barker Thank you for your reply.

[@Braedenfish]

Sooooo Mike if you cut a Rhodie back to the ground is there any chance it will come back . Mine has about 30 leaves that are half what looks like a black rash. My soil is amended clay n I struggle to keep them dry enough and in Zone 7 they bud out early and now I know why they haven't bloomed in 4 years since I bought this house in Southern MD. I have propagated and shared a GORGEOUS BLUE Hydrangea since I saw your vacation video years back....thanks so much for sharing.....I trim low hangers n shove em right in the ground beside the main mama n she protects em all winter! Sometimes they are 2 feet long and root up! Well thanks..ur .changing lives man!

[@MikeKincaid79]

Thanks for the nice comment! Many varieties of rhododendrons will handle hard pruning down to the ground but not all. If you're going to do it, I'd wait until next winter when it's dormant.

[@brian644]

having issues with one of my brand new rhodes as well. leaves are curling up yet still green looks like its not happy... yet the same plant is 5 foot away and the plant is thriving... very disappointing

[@MikeKincaid79]

Freezing temps can curl leaves as well as not enough water.

[@lobe2032]

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much, that is something I really needed to know. Now that I do, I won't have to ask you those questions, lol 🤗🤗🤗😊😊

[@MikeKincaid79]

You are so welcome

[@jstamps9578]

Good info. I'm not schooled in rhododendrons other than the phrase- all azaleas are rhododendrons, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas. Did I get it right. How great you found that clone tucked away. Another reason for people to learn from you to CLONE. It's the gardeners version of backing up to the ☁ cloud.

[@MikeKincaid79]

Haha, that's it! Great analogy.

[@kivdronekim7916]

Hey Mike what size is your hoop house?

[@lblak59]

Would covering the rhododendron before the freeze help? Too late ....our freeze was last night😢

[@MikeKincaid79]

You could do that but we have way too many to worry about covering them all.

[@ROlson-dx2jc]

Thanks for the video. How much should you water rhododendrons? I almost lost mine to underwatering last year but I cut it back hard and now it's growing well. I've heard rhododendrons need consistent moisture but I worry that I'm overwatering now. It's on a rocky terrace with not a lot of space to spread out and I water every day and a half to two days in the summer. Don't want to kill it with kindness! Can you provide some tips on watering? Thanks! You really know a lot about rhododendrons!

[@MikeKincaid79]

They need constant moisture in the soil. The hot summer months are critical for watering. As they get bigger and more established you don’t have to water as much.

[@RedHotFiat]

I always wondered what caused that. Thanks. How is the Empress Wu Hosta doing?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Just watered her tonight. I need to write a reminder to film it for you.

[@judybarker3117]

Word has it that the Empress Wu has been heard saying...and I quote..,”Feed Me” 😁

[@georgepetrask8723]

Mike my first time propagating Rhododendrons my cuttings are now in my tote green house for 3 weeks it looks like they are starting to bloom should I pinch off the bloom and send the energy back to rooting?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes, and good luck

[@jonhawkins2374]

Can you cure root rot?????

[@MikeKincaid79]

Not that I know of.

[@matthewkizziahcuzia...gott9632]

I just bought a tiny fig. Should I plant it in the ground or wait and keep it in a pot. It's only one branch 8 inches tall. Lots of suckers coming up from the ground and leaves are showing up the stem.

[@MikeKincaid79]

If you know where you want to plant it, get it in the ground.

[@sonidoexperiencia]

I just grown a rhododendron ogla in the front of my yard. It's out in the open and receives full sunlight throughout the day till about 5:00 PM. Will it do okay ? I live in the midwest

[@MikeKincaid79]

They do better with some shade but you can grow them in full sun. Make sure to mulch really well and keep constant moisture at the roots. Also, fertilize with a good acid loving slow release fertilizer.

[@sonidoexperiencia]

@@MikeKincaid79 thank you so much !!

[@MAZAPlant]

Do you have any interest in plant indoor with LED grow light?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Yes

[@MAZAPlant]

@@MikeKincaid79 Would you mind contatc [e-mail]?

[@nancyanngambino1053]

Mike I have a few smaller Rhododendron, one looks like it’s struggling. I’m thinking about relocating it. Do you think that will rejuvenate it?

[@MikeKincaid79]

Depends on where you relocate it to and the type of soil. When I have one that I need to move, I usually move it to a shadier spot and make sure the soil is loose and easy for the plant to get established in. Mulch well, fertilize with a rhododendron fertilizer and water through the summer. It should come back just fine.

[@theoverworkedgardener5648]

I am Groot.

[@MikeKincaid79]

lol

[@sandieweatherup]

Aarrgghh, the dreaded phytophthora. I know it well.

[@MikeKincaid79]

The only hope is to keep propagating and always have a spare on hand. 😉