Ok, I need a quick answer and I have searched the web to no avail....
I have a Rhododendron in the back yard by our window, and the guy trimming the bushes says we should take it out because of mold.
What do you think...from our window it looks pretty nice; but if it must go, I guess it must. I am plant-naive so I haven't a clue and I need to tell him in the next hour or so!
I'm not a plant expert, but that doesn't look like mold, it just looks like lichen. Lichen grows on trees all the time and the trees can stay healthy. I would not get rid of it!
I'm not a plant expert, but that doesn't look like mold, it just looks like lichen. Lichen grows on trees all the time and the trees can stay healthy. I would not get rid of it!
I'd ask him what happens if you don't get rid of it? (because I'm not believing it's mold, either, but I know nothing about plants) What are the consequences of leaving it? I wouldn't think that mold would spread through the grass to other plants... I would think there's enough mold there already. If there are no consequences other than it dying -- leave it in!
Of course, this could be a stupid response, but I already pleaded ignorance... :)
I second that those are lichens not mold. I see no harm in having the rhody except I suppose eventually the plant might give up the ghost, oh, twenty years from now.
I should take a picture of a rhody we have in my back yard. Makes that one look surgically pristine. It flowered and everything this year...
Thanks, you hit the nail on the head; I didn't know what to search for, but once you said Lichens, I found that they are not parasitic since they make their own food!
The power of the DPC community rules and saves my bush!
Did he tell you that those specific patches were the mold? If so, I certainly wouldn't have him back to do any more work, and if he's an employee of a landscaping firm I'd let them know that one of their staff needs a little more education.
eta; molds and fungi usually show most as leaf damage, and from what I can see those leaves look healthy to me.
The plant does look ill, but it isn't because of this lichen. It could be because it is in full sun which isn't the native location for a rhododendron. You might also have a soil test done. They like acidic soils, you may need to change the PH.
Did he tell you that those specific patches were the mold? If so, I certainly wouldn't have him back to do any more work, and if he's an employee of a landscaping firm I'd let them know that one of their staff needs a little more education.
Yep--he didn't know (I just told him and he said, "now he knows"). He's an independent and this is the second year we've had him trim the bushes. He has a couple of employees with him and they work hard and do a nice job trimming. But I never expect lawn care guys, or even tree guys, to be "real" experts, or I'm sure I couldn't afford them. Just like anyone else we hire, I don't take what they say as gospel if it goes at all counter to what I might think or want. But heck, I minored in biology in college and I didn't know what it was called (course that was a LONG time ago...lichens probably didn't exist yet.) ;)
A perfectly healthy, if old Rhoddy, lichen will appear on older, gnarly branches. If it is getting leggy and straggly, you can cut it back quite harshly and it will sprout new leaves by the end of this summer.
As already suggested, an acid based compost added around the base will give it a boost. We have hundreds at work and regular watering during dry periods and they will thrive just about anywhere. They are, in fact, almost classed as a weed in parts of the UK. Many of the wildlife reserves and nature spots have regular Rhoddy Bashing events, when volunteers go out cutting them down due to their invasive nature.
Sack the gardener. If I came out with a remark like his, I would be out of work.
But I never expect lawn care guys, or even tree guys, to be "real" experts, or I'm sure I couldn't afford them. Just like anyone else we hire, I don't take what they say as gospel if it goes at all counter to what I might think or want.
And yet you rely on a group made up of photographers for the same answers? ROFL
I second the recommendation to cut it back. Just did a major cutback on one of mine, heart in mouth, last year, and I cannot believe the new growth. You can also very easily move rhodos as they are shallow rooted, but wait until spring or fall wetter times to do that. Epsom salts are good to sprinkle around it in early spring, followed by watering and heavy mulch. Good luck. (Loved the misread of lichen for mold. I am sure he was trying dutifully to be helpful; glad he is not a people surgeon though).
that is definetely a leggy bush. Cuts for rejuvenation pruning are made much farther back on the shrub. On the primary branches, make your cut just above a latent bud, or even better, a cluster of buds. In severe cases, you can sometimes cut your rhododendron to within 6 inches of the ground.
But I never expect lawn care guys, or even tree guys, to be "real" experts, or I'm sure I couldn't afford them. Just like anyone else we hire, I don't take what they say as gospel if it goes at all counter to what I might think or want.
And yet you rely on a group made up of photographers for the same answers? ROFL
Matt
I'm always in awe of the vast knowledge base of the DPC community. Sure, you can find a "question specific" forum on the web and ask, but the odds are good someone here knows the answer, and there are always so many willing to help, as illustrated by this thread. And in my experience, help comes much quicker here.
...And of course, there's always someone to give a laugh and give you a good ribbing too ;) How could you beat that?
And note that I did post some photos (though taken with my Lumix, and without any artistic intent ;) )
that is definetely a leggy bush. Cuts for rejuvenation pruning are made much farther back on the shrub. On the primary branches, make your cut just above a latent bud, or even better, a cluster of buds. In severe cases, you can sometimes cut your rhododendron to within 6 inches of the ground.
Yep, you can butcher them and they respond with fresh, new, green growth and seem to thrive, due to the amount of roots and the small amount of growth to feed. Also, don't put leaf mulch around the base as it is too alkaline. Heap old pine needles under them, this will increase the acidity and also help you get rid of all the fallen pine needles.
that is definetely a leggy bush. Cuts for rejuvenation pruning are made much farther back on the shrub. On the primary branches, make your cut just above a latent bud, or even better, a cluster of buds. In severe cases, you can sometimes cut your rhododendron to within 6 inches of the ground.
Yep, you can butcher them and they respond with fresh, new, green growth and seem to thrive ....
If you just use the Healing Brush you won't even need to put on gardening gloves ...
