Deep Sea Diver
Imperial Masterpiece
Hmm… Could be dehydration from underwatering
Yet we all know trees didn’t necessarily have to dry out to get the leaves looking like this.
One of the sneaky ways potted azaleas (happens to planted ones too, but that’s a different story) get winter damage that looks like this is frozen rootball.
Once frozen the roots can no longer provide water or nutrients to the superstructure.
Despite being dormant, plants still need to move water. If not crispy leaves! If outside in sun add in sun scald and split branches and trunks.
The Kazan was interesting to me. It appeared it might have been
- either watered more,
- also as likely from the differential damage, it was a bit sheltered except on one side. Who knows?
Do know from experience root washing hundreds of various azaleas, including the three mentioned, Kazan roots tend to very much more dense then either of the other two azaleas. The Kazan also is certainly older. The Dwarf is a very slow grower at best. Root density equals resistance to freeze.
Wouldn’t get hung up on in the ground temperature data on azalea cold hardiness. Especially when considering potted plants. The vastly greater root surface area exposed to cold changes things drastically . There is very limited data, little to none I’ve discovered which is supported …especially in regards to azalea … in peat or bonsai media,
But it would be a fun experiment!
Finally, when satsuki azalea leaves do freeze outside, usually the tips freeze first and progress back to the stem…the Kazan is good example. Whether the leaves turn to mush or shrivel is environment dependent. I’ve seen both.
Cheers
DSD sends
Yet we all know trees didn’t necessarily have to dry out to get the leaves looking like this.
One of the sneaky ways potted azaleas (happens to planted ones too, but that’s a different story) get winter damage that looks like this is frozen rootball.
Once frozen the roots can no longer provide water or nutrients to the superstructure.
Despite being dormant, plants still need to move water. If not crispy leaves! If outside in sun add in sun scald and split branches and trunks.
The Kazan was interesting to me. It appeared it might have been
- either watered more,
- also as likely from the differential damage, it was a bit sheltered except on one side. Who knows?
Do know from experience root washing hundreds of various azaleas, including the three mentioned, Kazan roots tend to very much more dense then either of the other two azaleas. The Kazan also is certainly older. The Dwarf is a very slow grower at best. Root density equals resistance to freeze.
Wouldn’t get hung up on in the ground temperature data on azalea cold hardiness. Especially when considering potted plants. The vastly greater root surface area exposed to cold changes things drastically . There is very limited data, little to none I’ve discovered which is supported …especially in regards to azalea … in peat or bonsai media,
But it would be a fun experiment!
Finally, when satsuki azalea leaves do freeze outside, usually the tips freeze first and progress back to the stem…the Kazan is good example. Whether the leaves turn to mush or shrivel is environment dependent. I’ve seen both.
Cheers
DSD sends
I'm going to use the advice in this thread and try and keep it alive. 
I water my azalea almost daily outside of winter and I water at lease 2 times a week in winter...
When I checked the pots, they still felt heavy & damp to the touch. I was afraid of overwatering them while they were dormant. I no longer have that fear, but the potting soil was throwing me off. I'll chalk it up to a learning experience.
