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Rhododendron and Japanese Maple

david.flemingdavid.fleming Posts: 10
in Plants
Hi - I've had a Rhode for a number of years which bloomed most years in a pot. This year I moved it to a new raised bed and it didn't bloom at all. It is starting to look a bit worse for wear and I'm wondering if I lifted it now (December) and poured a lot of ericaceous compost into its spot, would this help revive it. Likewise, I have a Japanese Maple that didn't do too well in a pot this year. Would the addition of the ericaceous compost help this in the spring if I added it now? 
Or I am I best off leaving both alone in the hope that they survive the winter so that I can add ericaceous compost in the spring?
Would appreciate any thoughts. Regards...

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Rhododendrons come from areas that have monsoons in late summer and autumn which is when they set their flower buds.  If you haven't watered yours thru hot dry spells since planting it out it will be stressed and all the ericaceous compost in the world won't help. 

    If your tap water is hard you need to find a way of collecting rain water and also need to give compensating treatments with liquid feed for ericaceous plants that contain sequestered or chelated iron.   Alkalinity in the soil or water can also lock up magnesium so a foliar feed of diluted Epsom salts will help with that - 15ml of salts to 5litres of water.

    Japanese maples like neutral to acid soil and shelter form strong sun but especially from wind which is desiccating for their fine foliage.  You need to make sure you provide adequate moisture to plants in pots and that can be daily in hot spells.  If you re-pot, go for an ericaceous from of John Innes no 3 loam based compost, not MPC.

    Both plants will appreciate a mulch of fresh ericaceous feed or compost every spring, especially in  a pot.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Probably wasn't enough moisture, what is the PH of your soil? The Rhodo will want acidic conditions but Acers don't strictly need it. In what way did the Acer not do well? Could be too windy or too sunny for it. 
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Yes I read recently an expert from an Acer nursery say even in the ground Acers need watering if there is no rain for 2 weeks. In a pot they need water daily. 
    AB Still learning

  • david.flemingdavid.fleming Posts: 10
    Thanks all for getting back to me. I live along quite a blustery coastline, so I reckon the wind ruined the Acer. It looks like there are fresh buds on it, so I'll try to move it to a more sheltered spot.
    Would I be better off taking the Rhode out of the raised bed at this stage so and back into a pot with ericaceous compost only? I've no idea what the pH is of the soil, sorry.
    It just seems to have flattened out in the bed and is not looking as lively as it did in a pot!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    A photo would help but I'd leave it be but make sure you give adequate watering and a generous mulching with ericaceous compost in spring.   Maybe try some well-rotted manure in autumn and winter once the soil has been given a good soaking by rain and then make sure it doesn't dry out in hot and/or dry spells.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • david.flemingdavid.fleming Posts: 10
    Thanks Obelixx, never thought of pictures! Please see them attached here.
    1.jpg 606.6K
    3.jpg 2.1M
    2.jpg 1.6M
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    The acer looks fine but check the pot next spring and see if there are roots showing at the base.  That's an indication that it needs a bigger pot.   Either way, a sheltered position, a spring feed and regular and adequate watering will keep it healthy.

    I would give that rhodo a decent watering - 15 litres - with some liquid feed for ericaceous plants and then a mulch of organic material to keep the moisture in.  Come spring, a decent slow release feed, another mulch and a foliar feed of Epsom salts as mentioned above.  This will all help it keep its buds to flower in spring and should green up those leaves so it can feed itself.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    There is evidence of adult vine weevil damage on the rhodo leaves, so there's also the possiblity of root damage caused by the grubs which would be worth checking for.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Good shout @BobTheGardener.

    Touch wood, I've never been troubled by these critters so wouldn't recognise their damage.   I understand they can be dealt with using nematodes when the temperature is right or else a chemical treatment form Provado.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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