Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 02:13 AM
James
 
Posts: n/a
Default Azaleas and Weed and Feed / Question for group



In the Spring of each year, I put down a weed and feed product. I have
many Azalea beds. Some years they bloom well, others they don't. I try to
fertilize them separately with a product formulated for them.

It has occurred to me that when I fertilize my lawn with weed and feed, I go
up adjacent to my azalea beds. These are very old azaleas (25 years), so I
guess their roots extend out quite a bit. I wonder if the weed and feed
(Atrazine) is going to the outside roots of the azaleas, and stunting them
some ? I don't think any of the weed and feed gets closer than 3 feet from
the main trunk of the bushes, but if the feeders come out more than 3 feet
then in a way I may be giving them some weed and feed which is not my
intention.

Any comments, or thoughts ??


--James--


  #2   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 02:47 AM
Stephen Henning
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"James" wrote:

In the Spring of each year, I put down a weed and feed product. I have
many Azalea beds. Some years they bloom well, others they don't. I try to
fertilize them separately with a product formulated for them.

It has occurred to me that when I fertilize my lawn with weed and feed, I go
up adjacent to my azalea beds. These are very old azaleas (25 years), so I
guess their roots extend out quite a bit.


The nitrogen of the fertilizer and the weed killer both can be a
problem. I wouldn't use the produce within a couple yards, more if
there is a slope and you are applying uphill from the azaleas. Azaleas
have shallow roots and are very sensitive to anything on the surface or
that is washed by rain or irrigation. Atrazine remains active for up to
six months so it is a real potential problem.
--
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
  #3   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 02:51 AM
James
 
Posts: n/a
Default



Thank you Steve !!

--James--


  #4   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 03:05 AM
paghat
 
Posts: n/a
Default

In article , "James"
wrote:

In the Spring of each year, I put down a weed and feed product. I have
many Azalea beds. Some years they bloom well, others they don't. I try to
fertilize them separately with a product formulated for them.

It has occurred to me that when I fertilize my lawn with weed and feed, I go
up adjacent to my azalea beds. These are very old azaleas (25 years), so I
guess their roots extend out quite a bit. I wonder if the weed and feed
(Atrazine) is going to the outside roots of the azaleas, and stunting them
some ? I don't think any of the weed and feed gets closer than 3 feet from
the main trunk of the bushes, but if the feeders come out more than 3 feet
then in a way I may be giving them some weed and feed which is not my
intention.

Any comments, or thoughts ??


--James--



Azalea roots are surprisingly restricted in area, but regular watering
could well cause inappropriate fertilizers to migrate into that root zone.

Why a shrub doesn't bloom well one year but superbly the year before &
after is sometimes obvious, but other times a mystery that will never be
entirely resolved.

Others who love rhodies & azaleas may disagree with me, but I believe
fertilizing these shrubs annually is too much. Sudden doses, large doses,
rich doses, or too many doses of fertilizer is more of a stress factor
than an aid. Less is more where rhodies & azaleas are concerned. They get
more benefit from a thin mulching with composted manure or even just
leaves left to go to leafmold. Rich or too regular fertilizing induces
leggy branch growth & lots of leaves, if not actual decline of the shrub's
health, but isn't apt to improve bloom.

But other factors also effect bloom, including what the buds experienced
through the winter, & what stresses the shrub experienced the whole
growing period of the previous year, or how & when a shrub was pruned or
deadheaded, or the watering schedule & rainfall it experienced while
developing buds. Some of the shrubs' experiences are not controlable by a
mortal gardener.

Timing of the rare/occasional/slight fertilizing or compost topcoating
MIGHT also be important -- given to shrubs one by one shortly after each
stops blooming, rather than an entire collection all at once without
regard for their bloom time, or at a time too close to autumn to be
healthful.

-paghat the ratgirl
--
Get your Paghat the Ratgirl T-Shirt he
http://www.paghat.com/giftshop.html
"History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden
people maintaining a free civil government." -Thomas Jefferson
  #5   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 03:32 AM
World Traveler
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Weed-and-feed products are a victory of marketing over common sense. A
weed-and-feed product really amounts to an indiscriminate and unnecessary
use of pesticides -- if your lawn is in such bad shape that you need to put
a weedkiller over the entire lawn maybe you should start over --

Since the atrazine also stresses your turfgrass especially St. Augustine),
the manufacturers make the "feed" part of it a very high nitrogen
fertilizer, to hide and counteract the effect of the nitrazine.

You wouldn't use an unbalanced fertilizer such as 29-3-3 by itself --
especially one with high amounts of soluble nitrogen, nor would you go out
and spray your turfgrass with atrazine -- but somehow the manufacturers have
sold the idea that if you put the two out together it's all right.
Weed-and-feed are significant contributors to the existence of high levels
of pesticides and nitrogen in the ground water, plus there is some evidence
that atrazine is hazardous to both dogs and cats.

You'd be better off to spot treat weeds where they exist, and use a better
fertilizer for your turfgrass, lower in nitrogen and lower in soluble
nitrogen. Plus your pets, your azaleas and your local water resources would
be better off. -- Regards --



"James" wrote in message
...


In the Spring of each year, I put down a weed and feed product. I have
many Azalea beds. Some years they bloom well, others they don't. I try
to
fertilize them separately with a product formulated for them.

It has occurred to me that when I fertilize my lawn with weed and feed, I
go
up adjacent to my azalea beds. These are very old azaleas (25 years), so
I
guess their roots extend out quite a bit. I wonder if the weed and feed
(Atrazine) is going to the outside roots of the azaleas, and stunting them
some ? I don't think any of the weed and feed gets closer than 3 feet
from
the main trunk of the bushes, but if the feeders come out more than 3 feet
then in a way I may be giving them some weed and feed which is not my
intention.

Any comments, or thoughts ??


--James--






  #6   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 03:54 AM
James
 
Posts: n/a
Default



I put weed and feed down to kill the weeds in my very large yard.


It does a good job.

I am happy.

It is not a political matter with me, and I did NOT consult Al Gore on the
matter.

Thanks !!

--James--


  #7   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 07:20 AM
Wortenheimer
 
Posts: n/a
Default

James wrote:
|| I put weed and feed down to kill the weeds in my very large yard.
||
|| It does a good job.
||
|| I am happy.
||
|| It is not a political matter with me, and I did NOT consult Al Gore
|| on the matter.


i hope you didn't consult duh-bya. you'd only end with a retarded lawn.


  #8   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 11:09 AM
 
Posts: n/a
Default

It's not a political issue. I agree with World Traveler. If you're
regularly using a Weed n Feed type of product, something is very wrong.
These products are OK if you're trying to get a lawn that has
desirable grass, but is full of weeds do to lack of care, under
control. Then, they can be used appropriately a couple of times.
After that, all that should be required is a pre-emergent crabgrass
control and occasional spot weed control which uses a small amount of
herbicide compared to just throwing it all over the lawn.

A healthy properly cared for lawn is thick enough to keep most of the
weeds out to begin with. Indiscriminate and heavy application of
herbicides is both unnecessary and bad practice. And where do you
think all those chemicals eventually wind up? Apparently, James is
more worried about what they might do to some shrubs than children,
pets, wildlife, or our water supply.

  #9   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 12:43 PM
Cereus-validus.....
 
Posts: n/a
Default

ROTFLMAO!

Why ask your question in open forum if you are closed minded to answers from
people who know far more than you, Jim Bob?

Proof that weed & feed is so toxic is that you are losing your mind from
over using it.

Not only is it affecting your azaleas, it is killing off your brain cells
and making you paranoid.

Forget Algore, its Dubya and his Republinazis who are out to get you!!! Be
afraid, be very afraid!!!!!


"James" wrote in message
...


I put weed and feed down to kill the weeds in my very large yard.


It does a good job.

I am happy.

It is not a political matter with me, and I did NOT consult Al Gore on the
matter.

Thanks !!

--James--




  #10   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 03:08 PM
OptionARMpopeye
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Duh-Bya's answer would be to call in an expert and have them do it.
Maybe not such a bad idea, I am sure the poor azalea roots would
appreciate it. God gives us others to fix our cars, drill our teeth,
remove out gallbladders, and yes do gardening work. Let it go, it will
cost you far less in worry, plus you will be enriching the life of
another. Not to mention the azaleas.



  #11   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 03:10 PM
OptionARMpopeye
 
Posts: n/a
Default

The answer could be to call in an expert and have them do it. Maybe not
such a bad idea, I am sure the poor azalea roots would appreciate it.
God gives us others to fix our cars, drill our teeth, remove out
gallbladders, and yes do gardening work. Let it go, it will cost you
far less in worry, plus you will be enriching the life of another. Not
to mention the azaleas. My grounds are beautiful, I never touch it.

  #12   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 05:32 PM
Cereus-validus.....
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You been smoking fungicide again, Potpie?


"OptionARMpopeye" wrote in message
oups.com...
Duh-Bya's answer would be to call in an expert and have them do it.
Maybe not such a bad idea, I am sure the poor azalea roots would
appreciate it. God gives us others to fix our cars, drill our teeth,
remove out gallbladders, and yes do gardening work. Let it go, it will
cost you far less in worry, plus you will be enriching the life of
another. Not to mention the azaleas.



  #13   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 05:32 PM
Cereus-validus.....
 
Posts: n/a
Default

You been smoking fungicide again, Potpie?


"OptionARMpopeye" wrote in message
oups.com...
The answer could be to call in an expert and have them do it. Maybe not
such a bad idea, I am sure the poor azalea roots would appreciate it.
God gives us others to fix our cars, drill our teeth, remove out
gallbladders, and yes do gardening work. Let it go, it will cost you
far less in worry, plus you will be enriching the life of another. Not
to mention the azaleas. My grounds are beautiful, I never touch it.



  #14   Report Post  
Old 11-04-2005, 09:25 PM
raycruzer
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Without too much effort, the use of one of many precise long-handled
weeders could remove the invading dandelions and crabgrass without
tearing up your lawn.

A number of these tools are identified at the World of Weeds website:
www.ergonica.com.

Ray
__________________________________________________ _
Talk about weeds: World of Weeds www.ergonica.com

  #15   Report Post  
Old 06-04-2016, 03:44 PM posted to alt.home.lawn.garden,misc.consumers.house,misc.rural,rec.gardens
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Apr 2016
Posts: 1
Default Azaleas and Weed and Feed / Question for group

replying to James, Claudia wrote:
Smart !

--
posted from
http://www.homeownershub.com/lawn-ga...roup-4512-.htm


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules

Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Feed them - dont feed them?? wibble Ponds (moderated) 1 27-12-2007 07:38 PM
To feed or not to feed... Elaine T Ponds 5 14-03-2005 10:39 AM
To feed or not to feed William Oertell Ponds 7 09-12-2003 09:02 PM
below 50F - feed or not to feed Superkitt Ponds 24 07-10-2003 05:42 AM
To Feed or Not to Feed GF Robert Ramirez Ponds 2 16-06-2003 12:20 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:44 PM.

Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 GardenBanter.co.uk.
The comments are property of their posters.
 

About Us

"It's about Gardening"

 

Copyright © 2017