Azaleas are generally healthy plants when their basic cultural requirements are met.
However, they are subject to a number of problems caused by infectious agents, insect pests, weather and nutrition deficiencies. Several of the more common problems are described here in detail. First reported in the 1930s on the Belgian-Indica hybrids, petal blight can attack most azaleas under favorable weather conditions. Infected flowers first exhibit small spots, about 1 mm in diameter, which appear water-soaked. The spots enlarge rapidly and become very slimy, causing entire petals to become slimy and limp, usually within 2-3 days after initial infection.