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Maintaining your plants: Rhododendrons and Azaleas
Feeding: Like all plants, azaleas and rhododendrons appreciate being fed too, but these plants are not big feeders and in my opinion rarely require store bought fertilizers to make them happy, but benefit appreciably from yearly applications of organic matter which breaks down into humus and feeds the plant naturally. Once a year or so a complete fertilizer, one that contains each of the three principle elements for plant growth nitrogen, phosphorus and potash could be used if you so desire. These three elements and their percentages are always (in this order) on any fertilizer container or package. It is good to have some nitrogen included in your fertilizer because nitrogen will promote normal growth and healthy, green foliage, but try to avoid excessive nitrogen as this can burn new feeder roots and foliage and it can promote excessive new vegetative growth thereby sacrificing flowers. More often than not when people see yellow leaves on an evergreen plant, they automatically jump to the conclusion that the plant needs nitrogen, when in reality this is not always the case. (See tips to determine visual diagnostic symptoms.) Concentrate on the second element phosphorus which promotes root production and the quality and quality of the flowers. The third element is potash and acts similar to a vitamin that we may take, providing the plant with increased vigor and resistance to insects and disease. When to feed: If you want fantastic flowers and large quantities of them, your plants must be fed the year prior. In other words, the food that you feed your plant this spring gives the plant the energy to produce the buds for the following year. Fertilizer high in phosphorus and potash can safely be applied in spring or late winter, but avoid feeding, any plant for that matter, after mid-summer and into winter with a high nitrogen fertilizer. Any new growth will be too soft and tender and colder temperatures will probably kill it, due to the fact that this new growth will not have had time to harden off before winter sets in. How to feed: Granular fertilizers can be broadcast evenly under the plant, banded in a circle around the perimeter of the plant or several holes can be punched around the perimeter of the plant and the fertilizer poured in. Liquid fertilizers can be sprayed on the foliage or mixed up in a bucket of water and poured around the plant. How much fertilizer: For liquid fertilizers follow directions on the label. For granular fertilizers figure approximately 3-4 ounces per square yard ( that’s 3'x3') or about three pounds per 100 square feet. Pruning or trimming: Azaleas and rhododendrons rarely require pruning of any kind, that is unless it was planted in the wrong spot years ago and is growing too high or wide for it’s present location. If this is the case, you will probably be better off moving it, because when you start trimming the plant back heavily, it will start to flush an abundance of new growth year after year. If you have to trim your plant, go ahead, just remember that you will be sacrificing all or most of the flowers for the next season. Not all rhododendrons are created equal, never choose a rhododendron based on color alone, consider its ultimate size and habit of growth. This group of plants can range from dwarfs to giants, so there should be a variety to fit everyone’s needs. Don't just pick a rhododendron or azalea by the flower color on the label, read the plant label before you buy or look up the ultimate sizes of specific cultivars in a good rhododendron book. Watering: Azaleas and rhododendrons are shallow rooted plants and appreciate an application of mulch which helps to keep the plants root system cool and moist at all times. A good mulch will also break down into humus which in return helps to supply the plant with needed nutrients. In periods of drought keep your plants well watered. Continued Insects & Disease of Rhododendrons and Azaleas
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