Hi Stephan and all,
I have had problems with my Azaleas every time I try to grow them. They
do great, buy them early stay green and healthy, they put out the first
flowers for awhile, but once the bloom goes, I wind up losing the whole
plant.

I've tried all different things, on say, like 7 plants, planted at the same
time and using various amounts of water, placing in various sun and shade
and mix, and with or without organic compost, mulch, spraying them with
things like RosePride or Azalea specific products. I can never get these
things to keep going.arrrgghhh So maybe it's the products? I just don't
know and don't want to give up, either. I know I can do it, if I get the
best product and the best advice.

I've been pretty lucky with most of my gardening, actually was a biology
major, took quite a bit of botany, many many many many years ago....g. But
there are certain plants that I just can't get going. I'm going to ask for
help with the other two on a seperate thread, so as not to make this too
confusing.

I'd appreciate any help, and from what I've read so far, Stephan, you seem
to have a good handle on these. (I have never had a problem with
Rhododendrons, for instance. They do well, but even with the Azaleas right
near them, I still seem to lose them.)

Also, if anyone can point me to a great garden site to purchase a better
starting product with these, that woulds be great. I started at home depot,
dead within weeks, same with all the other local big stores, at least I got
my money back, tho. Then I was buying at smaller nurseries around my various
areas I've lived and still no go.

Thanks in advance to everyone!

MaryBeth
Southeastern Kansas
Bordering on Oklahoma
Zone 7 but more into 8

"Mary Beth" wrote:

I'd appreciate any help, and from what I've read so far, Stephan, you seem
to have a good handle on these. (I have never had a problem with
Rhododendrons, for instance. They do well, but even with the Azaleas right
near them, I still seem to lose them.)

I can relate to this. Evergreen azaleas take about 3 years to develop
their full hardiness. For many evergreen azaleas, that hardiness isn't
all that great. The culture is the same for rhododendrons and azaleas.
I have a couple words of caution. Miracid and other liquid products are
more trouble then help. I would stick with a quality product like
Holly-tone. You need low nitrogen, acidic fertilizer. Only fertilize
in the spring, and then use about half of what the label recommends.

Here are a few of the basics which you already seem to have a handle on:

Variety: The rhododendron or azalea must be suitable for the climate
where it is planted. Some varieties are too tender for harsh winters,
too tender for very hot weather, too sensitive to droughts or wet
conditions. Select the variety for the location. Different varieties
grow different heights. Some are tall, over 6', and some are dwarf,
barely 12", and many are in between. Unfortunately, most rhododendrons
never stop getting taller, but their height is quoted for plants that
are 10 years old and by that time most varieties have slowed down their
growth considerably. But if you choose plants that are the right size to
begin with, they are relatively maintenance free. The American
Rhododendron Society [ www.rhododendron.org ] website has good charts
for rhododendrons and azaleas giving the hardiness and height.

Soil Drainage: Moist well-drained soil is a must for most varieties.
This sounds difficult, but it means to not let the soil dry out
completely but don't get it too wet. Thoroughly water if necessary and
then let it dry out.

Acid Soil: Most varieties require an acidic soil (pH 5-6). If your soil
is alkaline, you will probably need a raised bed. Powdered sulfur is
the best agent to acidify the soil. Holly-tone has this in it. Your
plants will get chlorotic if the soil is not acidic enough. Aluminum
sulfate is toxic to rhododendrons and azaleas.

Fertilizing: When rhododendrons and azaleas are not planted in ideal
locations they may develop chlorosis. Chlorosis is yellowing of a leaf
between dark green veins. It is caused by malnutrition that can be
caused by a wide variety of conditions. They include alkalinity of the
soil, potassium deficiency, calcium deficiency, iron deficiency,
magnesium deficiency, nitrogen toxicity (usually caused by nitrate
fertilizers) or other conditions that damage the roots such as root rot,
severe cutting of the roots, root weevils or root death caused by
extreme amounts of fertilizer. In any case, a combination of
acidification with sulfur and iron supplements such as chelated iron or
iron sulfate will usually treat this problem. Holly-tone contains these
elements and 4-6-4 fertilizer. It is best applied in the spring prior to
blooming to make sure the plant is healthy when forming next year's
flower buds. If you missed applying it in the early spring, it can be
applied up until mid summer. Rhododendrons and azaleas do best when left
alone in the right conditions. Don't use Holly-tone or any fertilizer
unless the plant shows signs of malnutrition.

Shade: Some shade; some varieties like full sun to bloom but others
suffer from too much sun. This is a trial and error thing unless you
know the variety and can look it up. More sun stimulates flowering and
but may trigger lace bug infestations. Prune off lower branches of shade
trees so that you have "high shade" above your rhododendrons and
azaleas. This is ideal for a healthy rhododendron bed.

Mulching: Rhododendrons do best when they have about a 2" to 3" layer of
mulch to hold in moisture, prevent weeds, and keep the roots cool. Since
most mulches are organic, they need to be topped off periodically,
usually about every year or two. Do not make the mulch over 3" thick.
Keep the mulch about 2" to 3" back from the trunk/stem of the plants to
avoid bark split and rodent damage. Do not use peat moss as a mulch. It
is a soil amendment to be used when preparing the soil in a bed and can
cause severe problems when used as a mulch including dehydrating the
soil and preventing moisture from reaching the soil. It also tends to
blow around. It is best to mulch with a 2-inch layer of an airy organic
material such as wood chips, ground bark, pine needles, pine bark or
rotted oak leaves. A year-round mulch will also provide natural
nutrients and will help keep the soil cool and moist. For specific
problems, visit Mulching.

Protection: Protection from winter winds. This is especially true when
the ground is frozen. Protect from deer. I use deer netting in the
winter and for plants that are susceptible to damage in the summer, such
as azaleas, I have a couple beds protected by deer fencing. For specific
problems, visit Cold Resistance and Deer Protection.


Cultural Problems: Most problems are cultural. Some tender rhododendron
& azalea varieties are not suitable for growing outside green houses.
Cultivating rhododendrons and azaleas must be avoided. They have shallow
roots and the roots will be severely damaged by cultivating. Weed killer
from weed & feed products is a definite problem also. Salt from
sidewalks in the winter is a killer to azaleas. Soil near masonry such
as foundations and walks is usually alkaline (not acidic) and a problem.
Lawn fertilizer in the fall can set an azalea way back. Another problem
is the roots of walnut trees. They emit a chemical that is toxic to
rhododendrons, azaleas and many other kinds of plants. For specific
problems, visit my website below.
--
Pardon my spam deterrent; send email to
Visit my Rhododendron and Azalea web pages at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman/rhody.html
Also visit the Rhododendron and Azalea Bookstore at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman/rhodybooks.html
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA USA Zone 6

"Stephen Henning" wrote in message newsighash-

gentle snip for space

Thank you so much Stephen for taking the time and explaining it all to me. I
will try a few more times, this time quite a few had been planted when we
first moved in last summer, sure enough, right next to the new
cement/concrete stairs! So it looks like the culprit this time! Hehehe
One of these days I AM going to have a gorgeous bloom of big azalea bushes
all around my spring garden. HA ! Thankls to ppl like you! And my
stubborn nature. lol

MaryBeth


Cultural Problems: Most problems are cultural. Some tender rhododendron
& azalea varieties are not suitable for growing outside green houses.
Cultivating rhododendrons and azaleas must be avoided. They have shallow
roots and the roots will be severely damaged by cultivating. Weed killer
from weed & feed products is a definite problem also. Salt from
sidewalks in the winter is a killer to azaleas. Soil near masonry such
as foundations and walks is usually alkaline (not acidic) and a problem.
Lawn fertilizer in the fall can set an azalea way back. Another problem
is the roots of walnut trees. They emit a chemical that is toxic to
rhododendrons, azaleas and many other kinds of plants. For specific
problems, visit my website below.
--
Pardon my spam deterrent; send email to
Visit my Rhododendron and Azalea web pages at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman/rhody.html
Also visit the Rhododendron and Azalea Bookstore at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman/rhodybooks.html
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA USA Zone 6