Karume Azalea Leaf Drop

hemmy

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This karume drop all of its leaves suddenly a few weeks ago. Southern CA, so low temps were not problem. We had some hot dry weather but the other Satsuki plants didn't suffer. I've had it for +1yr and potted up after flower in the early summer. The suddenness of the drop seems to eliminate chlorosis. That was all a long winded lead up to when I just pulled out the roots and found the pure peat broken down and saturated.

I poked some holes through the football and jammed in some pumice and it went back in the can. We are actually getting rain so I have it sheltered. It has started popping some green but not sure if it will extend.

Any advice? If it is too wet, what is the correct way to fix it? Should I get more drastic and disturb the roots?
 

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0soyoung

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Being that this an evergreen variety, IT IS DEAD.
Root anoxia --> roots drowned (quite literally, no oxygen).

Peat is nfg as a substrate (as you now know); maybe use it as a minor amendment only.
 

hemmy

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Thanks for reply. That was the nursery mix and it always drained quickly but it is a good lesson for always inspecting roots and substrate when you buy a plant!
 
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