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Sad Azaleas

john1072john1072 Posts: 34
in Problem solving
Hi, I have two Azalea which are looking a bad sad - one worse than the other. I don't remember them looking this bad before. Is therefore something I can do with them to bring them back to their best pls? I read somewhere digging them up and replanting. 

Posts

  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    They look as if they need plenty of water. You don't say which way they are facing, but that position will be very dry with the combination of rain shadow from the wall and the leaf canopy preventing rain reaching the roots. If it also gets a fair bit of sun, the reflected heat will make things worse. Azaleas can cope with sun if they have enough moisture at their roots. You may have lost some of next year's flower buds.
    Digging them up will only stress them more, but could be worth it if you are able to plant them somewhere much better - dappled shade, acidic soil and plenty of water, either in the soil or from you if the weather doesn't oblige. If you decide to do it, wait till it is cooler, water them well the day before, get a good rootball and water them in  really well. A mulch of bark or wood chip onto damp soil will help slow drying out.
  • john1072john1072 Posts: 34
    Buttercupdays said:
    They look as if they need plenty of water. You don't say which way they are facing, but that position will be very dry with the combination of rain shadow from the wall and the leaf canopy preventing rain reaching the roots. If it also gets a fair bit of sun, the reflected heat will make things worse. Azaleas can cope with sun if they have enough moisture at their roots. You may have lost some of next year's flower buds.
    Digging them up will only stress them more, but could be worth it if you are able to plant them somewhere much better - dappled shade, acidic soil and plenty of water, either in the soil or from you if the weather doesn't oblige. If you decide to do it, wait till it is cooler, water them well the day before, get a good rootball and water them in  really well. A mulch of bark or wood chip onto damp soil will help slow drying out.
    Bang on, the wall faces west but is a bit of a suntrap. From your post you've reminded me that I had a lot more mulch in previous years. Thank you.  
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd agree with @Buttercupdays. They need plenty of available moisture  if they're in a site like that. 
    Best thing is to trim the dead bit away, as it's unlikely to come away. Other bits will probably grow across and cover it though. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • john1072john1072 Posts: 34
    I've just realised I posted the same picture twice! This is the worst plant but then I'd imagine for the same reason. Thanks. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yeh - that's not going to be easy to recover.  :/

    I'd remove all the weeds too. That's what that plant is in the pic - the weedy geum that can seed everywhere.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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