Leaf Gall – Prevention For The Future

Q: The leaves on my azaleas and camellias are swollen and disfigured. What is this and what should be done?

A: Azalea (or camellia) leaf gall is another disease that only sporadically appears. The fungus infected the leaf buds back in February so sprays won’t help now. Spores are released when the infected leaf has turned powdery white so the best defense is to pick off all swollen leaves and destroy them. If the weather is different next spring almost no galls will appear.