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Rhododendron Troubles
Mr maple ????
Posts: 4
I purchased a lovely red rhododendron bush 2 years ago and planted in my normal soil border. It never shown any life, buds came out but never flowered. It's still alive so I've dug it up and planted it in a very large aquatic container (to provide good drainage and air for roots) with ericacious hoping it might help. It's now sitting on top of the soil and remains alive. Hoping it may get better this year so I can plant. Any other advice please or tell me what I've done wrong, thanks
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In case it makes you feel any better, our red rhododendron is much the same: Bought about 3-4 years ago and we got one good display out of it, but since then it's only grown leaves. I wonder if ours doesn't get enough sunlight.
What do you mean it is sitting on top of the soil. Have you planted your shrub back into your garden soil? Did you had your soil checked to see if it is neutral to acidic? It's possible that buds have not formed due to the plant not receiving enough moisture in its roots in the summer months.
Last edited: 21 February 2018 18:14:41
It's planted in a very large tub with ericacious soil and sitting on top of soil. Watered all summer and in full sun until about 15;00 hrs
Are you watering with rainwater ? Some tapwater is very alkaline , not good for Rhododendrons .
I don't grow rhododendrons (wrong sort of soil) but as I've travelled about I've seen many and the ones I see growing and blooming the best are those living in dappled shade ... not full sun.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'll second the above !
1) Dappled shade and cool .
2)Rainwater only (unless very soft tap-water)
3)Never let soil (ericaceous only) dry out , not even for a day .
4)Feed regularly with low-nitrogen plant food from Spring onwards ; (soluble 'MiracleGro' is as good as any with numerous trace elements)