By: Cheryl Bowman
Variety: Rhododendron
Family: Ericaceae
Cultivar: Glorious Orange
Zones: 5 to 8
AHS Heat Zone: Not defined for this plant
Soil Type: Sandy loam to clay loam
Soil pH: 4.5 to 6
Sunlight: Partial sun to sun
Watering: Normal to moist
Fertilizer: Flowering shrub and tree fertilizer
Availability: Sold as live, potted plants.
When to plant: Glorious Orange Exbury Azalea can be planted at any time during the season when there is no danger of frost.
Planting Method
Dig a planting hole one and a half times the width of the root ball and as deep as the soil in the pot. If the azalea has bare roots, dig the planting hole as wide as the roots are when spread out. Look for a discoloration on the stem, which will indicate how deep to set the plant. Fill the hole with water and set the plant in the hole. Fill with soil and water well.
Watering
Water with at least an inch of water per week. The soil should be moist to at least 18 inches deep. Deeply water each week, as opposed to watering shallowly many times during the week. Deep watering encourages root growth and a strong plant.
Fertilizing
Fertilize with a flowering shrub and tree fertilizer once a year. Always complete a soil test prior to fertilizing, to be sure there are no missing or low nutrients. If nutrients are missing or low, choose a fertilizer that has the missing nutrient.
Production
Glorious Orange Exbury Azalea is a low-maintenance shrub with medium-sized deciduous leaves and showy, single, orange flowers.
Diseases
- Black Spot: Black spot shows up on young leaves as black circles. The circles are irregular and will sometimes have a yellow halo. Black spot causes the leaves to yellow and fall off the plant. New leaves will follow the same pattern. If you notice black spot, water the plants from the bottom, keeping the leaves dry. Always keep plants properly pruned. Dip shears or knife in a water-bleach solution after each cut when pruning. Mulch plants with at least 2 to 3 inches of mulch. If you cannot get black spot under control with these methods, remove the infected plants, then spray the rest with a fungicide.
- Blight: Blights are caused by various fungi and bacteria. Blights spread quickly and can kill all the plants in an area. There are many different types of blight, and each type has its own method of control. Help prevent blight from attacking this plant by keeping it disease and pest free.
- Chlorosis: Chlorosis causes the leaves, particularly vein areas, to turn yellow. The plant turns yellow because the soil has too much iron. Too much iron can be caused by a higher pH than what the plant needs or by waterlogged soil. Chlorosis also occurs when plants are placed close to concrete surfaces.
- Leaf Spots: Bacteria or fungi cause brown or black spots on leaves. The leaf spots have no particular shape, but the edges look yellow. People, rain and insects spread leaf spots. When the plant is dry, remove the infected leaves. Be sure to keep the plant pruned properly, and clean up any dropped leaves under the plant. Water plants from below, taking care to keep the foliage dry. Leaf spots can also be controlled with fungicide.
- Powdery Mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungus that usually affects plants that have low air circulation and inadequate light. It is a bigger problem in the early spring and fall months, when the temperatures swing from high during the day to low at night, especially in zones with a lot of humidity. Powdery mildew forms a white or gray coating on the top of the leaves, making them turn yellow, curl up and drop off. It also causes stunted fruit that drops early. To control powdery mildew, decrease watering, use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen and keep water off the foliage. Apply fungicides as directed.
- Pythium and Phytophtora Root Rot: Pythium and phytophtora root rot attack a plant if there are fungal spores in the soil and the plant is overwatered, creating a high moisture level. Roots turn black and break. Leaves yellow and fall off, usually from the bottom up. Contaminated water or soil mix is the usual cause of root rot. To control this disease, remove infected plants, make sure the soil is well-drained and do not overwater or overfertilize plants. There is no chemical treatment for root rot.
- Rusts: Rusts generally overwinter on plant foliage and spent flowers. They are host-specific and usually appear as small, yellow or bright-orange pustules under the leaves. Sometimes the pustules can be brown. Other fungi and splashing water causes most rust problems. Rust tends to worsen when the weather gets moist. To control rust problems, water the plant from the base, keeping the foliage dry. Make sure the plants have enough air flow to all leaves by thinning and pruning. Water only during the day, giving plants a chance to dry before nightfall. Rusts can also be controlled with a fungicide.
Pests
- Aphids: The aphid is a small insect that forms clusters on seedlings and new plant growth. It's pear-shaped body ranges from 1/16- to 3/8-inch long. Aphids spread quickly, feeding on plant juices, which weakens the plant. Signs of infection include honeydew and sooty mold on plants, curling leaves, stunted growth and yellowing of foliage. Remove infected plant matter and keep the garden weed-free. Do not use high-nitrogen fertilizer, as this promotes aphids. If you have a light infestation, you can spray the aphids off the plant with water, then apply insecticidal soaps or pesticides. Aphids will develop a resistance to pesticides, so use them sparingly and as a last resort. If you do not wish to use insecticides or pesticides, you can introduce natural enemies of the aphid, such as lacewings, parasitic wasps or pirate bugs.
- Caterpillars: Caterpillars are heavy feeders and can be quite destructive. They are the immature forms of butterflies and moths. Control caterpillars by removing all weeds around the area and introducing parasitic wasps. Certain insecticidal soaps and oils will kill caterpillars.
- Scale Insects: The 1/8-inch-long scale insect attaches itself to the leaves and stems of plants. While the males have wings, the females do not, and spend their lives attached to the plant, sucking out juices with their piercing mouth parts. The scale insect excretes honeydew, which causes sooty mold that attracts ants. Cut any infected leaves off the plants. If the stems are also infected, you may have to dispose of the entire plant. You may be able to control them with insecticidal soaps or pesticides. You can also introduce parasitic wasps to your garden, as they are the scale insect's natural enemies. Lady beetles are also natural enemies.
- Whiteflies: Whiteflies are less than 1/8 of an inch long, with white wings and yellow bodies. Their eggs hatch in 8 to 11 days. They have piercing mouthparts and suck the juices from plants, which causes stunted growth and yellow leaves. They can be controlled with pesticides, but in order for them to be effective, the underside of the leaves must be treated. Parasitic wasps and lady beetles can be used for outdoor control.
Cleanup
Prune the azalea during the spring and throughout the growing season for dead and decaying wood. If you are using this plant for hedges, shear the plant to keep the desired shape and height of the hedge. Pinch the stem tips to create a bushier hedge.
Saving Seeds
It is better to propagate the Glorious Orange Exbury Azalea with stem cuttings. Cut a tender, non-woody stem and coat the bottom of the stem with rooting powder. Plant the stem in a pot with a rich potting soil and fertilize with a phosphorus-based fertilizer. Water well until the plant becomes established.
