Leaf Gall on Azalea, Camellia Widespread Some Years
Q: I am a landscape professional, and I’ve seen an influx of camellia leaf gall and more azalea leaf gall starting to show up. It is appearing on multiple properties that I maintain from Stone Mountain to Loganville. Is there a cause that I’m missing? What can I do, if anything, to treat for this? I have sprayed fungicide many times but it hasn’t helped.
A: I noticed some diseased leaves on my camellias today. I’ve had these plants for the past 10 years, and I don’t remember them ever having camellia leaf gall before. Sometimes it takes a random combination of temperature, moisture, and host plant presence to provide the exact conditions for a fungus to grow. We must have had that this year.
The swollen leaves on camellias as well as azaleas are truly noticeable. The best treatment is to pick off all the affected leaves before they turn white and spread spores to healthy plants. The diseased leaves must be removed from the garden and not dropped to the ground.
Research on chemical control is sparse. Copper fungicides, thiophanate methyl and mancozeb are somewhat effective, but it is extremely difficult to get the fungicide into the leaf bud. The spray must be done in early spring. Frankly, it’s not worth your time to spray. The disfigured leaves are only ugly for a month. They will dry up and fall off the plant. Pro tip: Lace your belt through the handle of a small bucket. It will hang just right to put the diseased leaves in it with two hands.
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