Azalea leaves turning red

[jimib]

I recently purchased this Satsuki Azalea at a club show about a week ago. Today I noticed some of the leaves turning red. To be honest they may have been that way and I didn’t notice. Flowers were faded and dead and I pulled those when I got it home. It’s in a fast draining soil mix, but we have had extensive rain the last few days. Am I worried for no reason? Any advice, info or witty sarcasm deeply appreciated. Thanks

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I don't know azaleas but general plant biology dictates that redness in leaves is caused by frost, nitrogen deficiency/lock out, or heavy damage (stress response like bruising).

I'm thinking it has had too much water, suffocating the roots and closing them off. This inhibits N uptake. I think you answered your own question ;-)

However, it could be a pH issue as well. Azaleas have a thing for acidic soil if memory serves me right, and a pH that's too high would block N uptake as well.

Maybe one of those two leads will get you to a solution.

 

[MichaelS]

Looks like it's starving to me. It should be exploding in growth over there at the moment.
Azaleas need about 1/2 of the fertilizer as most other plants but they need that regularly.

 

[just.wing.it]

I have similar redness on the leaves of one of mine...I chalked it up to too much hot afternoon sun... They do like shade...I need a shade cloth area.

 

[Cypress187]

I need a shade cloth area.

Whaa, I need a garden! I can't put shade cloth on the outside of my balcony

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I believe that is a mild case of sunburn. A little less afternoon sun would most likely stop the progression.

 

[jimib]

Its possible it was sunburned before I bought it..its been in the shade since I brought it home. Starving? Possibly...I was fertilizing when I noticed the leaves, we'll see if that's it. My kurume and rhodies are bursting with lush green foliage, this should be too. I'll test the ph later. I have a bag of sphagnum moss and a bag of kanuma...I just didnt thnk I should repot now. I may shred up some of the sphagnum moss and spread it on the top if the ph is too high. thanks everyone for the info!

 

[0soyoung]

(MHO, the leaves were adapted to shadier conditions. The red is anthocyanin that is in a layer above the photocenters (chlorophyll) --> sun shade. New leaves grown out in the current conditions won't be red. Put the plant in shade for a few weeks the red will fade away. Pop it into full sun; you'll see this happen.

btw, most maples behave the same way.

 

[GrimLore]

Am I worried for no reason? Any advice, info or witty sarcasm deeply appreciated. Thanks

@0soyoung nailed it. Although I am a few hours South of you any potted Azalea, especially those that might require some Winter protection must remain pretty well shaded during their stay outside during the Summer. Don't worry about the PH right now - it looks healthy otherwise. You all mentioned it is quick draining, coupled with a shaded area that will provide the best conditions with a daily watering. I also suspect there is a decent amount of sphagnum peat - that is decomposed sphagnum moss and provides the PH needs just fine. If I had a few extra right now I would put one in full sun for a week as I know the foliage would turn reddish, then brown, then black as an example. Simply move it as he mentioned

Grimmy

 

[jimib]

Thanks again everyone for the comments. I have had it in the shade since I got home, which is only been about nine days now. I will give it some time to recover.

 

[jimib]

For the hell of it I tested the ph. The satsuki was about 6.5. Actually all of them were between 6-6.5. the other 3 (2 are rhodies) are pushing new growth like crazy though in the same soil I bought them in from the nursery. I'm still watching the satsuki for new growth.