Question
Live in Ohio (North)-zone 4
Last year my azaleas and rhodos looked brown in Spring and several died by summer, my hollies did well. This was their second year in the beds. I have Volck Oil Spray and Dormant Oil. I am thinking of spraying rhodos and azaleas to protect from winter. Is dormant oil O.K. to use or do I have to use the other oil (I ask because I have lots of dormant oil and only a little Volck Oil). I still have several azaleas that their leaves are green and brownish.
Thanks, Bill

Answer
Bill,

Oil will do nothing to protect the plants from winter injury. You will need to use an Anti-dessicant such as nu-film or vaporgard. These materials seal up the pores of the plants, stopping water loss through the winter. You will need to do two applications, one in late Oct.- early Nov. and again in Feb. of '07.

Good luck.
Ed Gulliksen