Why does your Rhododendron hirsutum have sudden leaf drop? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.
Oomycetes like Phytophthora are common in the damp habitats preferred by R. hirsutum; they destroy fine feeder roots, causing the plant to shed leaves as it can no longer transport water.
While R. hirsutum prefers moisture, an abrupt period of low humidity or dry soil causes the plant to drop leaves as a defense mechanism to reduce transpiration.
Sudden fluctuations in temperature, particularly late spring frosts or extreme heatwaves, can damage the leaf tissue of this species, triggering mass abscission.
A lack of available nitrogen prevents the maintenance of chlorophyll, causing older leaves to yellow and drop prematurely.
Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:
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