Just finished washing the roofs on 30 condominium units a couple days ago and received a call about some dead azaleas. I went over to look at them and found some other azaleas that appeared dead as well at another building.
As you can see by the pictures attached, the cambium layer on the stems is still bright green, so the plants, I feel, are still alive. I trimmed them back hard and applied a heavy dose of Plant Wash to the stems and all around the roots. I explained to the contact person in charge that I would like to wait and see if they will recover and flush out new growth by mid-spring. If not, I will happily replace all affected plants.
Has anyone had the same or similar experience with azaleas, and if so, what happened in the long run - and do you think these plants have a fighting chance?
Should I possibly go back in a few days or week with an acid fertilizer blended for azaleas to supplement the Plant Wash?
They are not dead, just in shock. They are protecting themselves by dropping their leaves and the inside of the stems are alive. I would go back with dehydrated cow manure and pelletized gypsum mixed 50/50. Spread it all around the base of the bushes and water it in. They should come back!
