l Azalea gall (Exobasidium vaccinii) is a particularly common problem on both outdoor and indoor azaleas, especially with the species Rhododendron indicum and Rhododendron simsii, along with their numerous hybrids.
Instead of normal leaves or flowers developing, a strange looking waxy growth appears which is pale green, or a pinkish red. As the gall matures it gets covered in a mass of white, floury spores and eventually, towards the end of the growing season, it will turn brown and shrivel.
The occasional azalea gall does little harm to a plant apart from spoiling the general appearance, but should several appear this can affect the overall vigour of these beautiful flowering shrubs.
The fungus that causes this problem is Exobasidium vaccinii and the spores are easily spread by the wind, rain splashes and insects. The most effective method of control is to hand-pick these malformations off as soon as possible and in particular before the white spore layer is evident. Should this problem persist you should spray with a fungicide both immediately after picking off the growths and again the following spring.
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