Dead or Alive?

[CovertNeo]

My Satsuki Azalea in training is due for a repot. I’m in southwest Virginia. I think that it’s still dormant but want to be sure I’m not crazy. Should I repot or do you think it’s dead? Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Harunobu]

Looks like a Rhododendron with very dead leaves. Frost damage or dried out by wind chill? My guess is that the entire plant is dead, as this isn't superficial frost damage on new growth.

 

[small trees]

Looks pretty dead to me.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

gently scrape away the bark on a branch or two, and if it is a normal looking bright green underneath the outer bark, the branch, and the tree is probably still alive. If it is only brown, or an even less attractive brown, it is likely dead.

Wait until you see activity in the landscape. Repot when your local landscape maples have their buds open and leaves about 25 to 50 % unfurled, at this point you probably won't have a late freeze. Then it is time to repot. At that time you should see buds on the azalea or Rhododendron expanding. If there is no change in the bush, it is likely dead.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

When a deciduous azalea goes dormant, it will drop its leaves. When the leaves drop they are not curled, and most will not be brown but will still have some pigment in them.

Sadly, I don't think your tree looks too good. It also doesn't (to me) look like a satsuki azalea. Where did you get it? How confident are you in that ID?

I personally wouldn't do anything to it until I saw it actively starting to push/break buds. You don't want to waste time repotting a dead plant. Wait until it gives you clear signs that it is alive, and strong enough to survive repotting. Otherwise you might be better off waiting for it to regain some strength. You can repot in late spring / early summer as long as you give your tree a little protection and plenty of time to recover before the end of the season.