Brown buds on rhododendrons are not only annoying, they also destroy the plant. The trigger is the rhododendron leafhopper, which you have to tackle.
Did you know that there are around 1000 different types of rhododendrons? One will probably flower more beautifully than the other provided the plant is he althy.
If you discover brown or even black buds on your rhododendron, you can be sure that the plant is infested with a fungus. The reason for the defective fungal infestation is the rhododendron leafhopper. The buds dry out, get small thorns and unfortunately do not bloom anymore. This is of course very annoying and action must be taken. In order to save the plant, pesticides are often used too quickly. I personally advise against the Chemiekeule.
What is a rhododendron planthopper?
The rhododendron leafhopper is an insect that only grows to 8 to 9 mm. Despite its tiny size, the cicada can do a lot of damage. Between June and August, the cicadas pierce the flower that is still closed, lay their eggs and infect them with a fungus. This very often leads to the death of the flower. The following year the rhododendron no longer flowers.
Tips against brown buds on rhododendrons
- Timely control reduces damage. You should therefore check in the spring whether your rhododendron has been affected by the cicada.
- If this has already happened, you should collect all brown and black buds immediately. To prevent further spread, do not dispose of the buds in the compost, better in household waste.
- But how do you catch the cicadas, the cause of bud browning? The so-called yellow boards provide a remedy here. Yellow boards are bright yellow boards with an adhesive that are hung in the plants. The bright color attracts the little animals and they stick to the board. From June to September, the glue boards can be hung in the rhododendron bush.
- You have to invest some time to get the rhododendron cicada-free. The ultimate goal is not to allow the eggs to be laid in the first place. The more yellow boards you put up, the more effective the control of the rhododendron planthopper.
- If natural control is unsuccessful, try pesticides. For the sake of the environment, use biodegradable products. Spray the plant according to the manufacturer's instructions. It primarily kills the larva, not the cicada itself.