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Rhododendron flowers not opening fully

alexandrians.liverpoolWtB_EYeXalexandrians.liverpoolWtB_EYeX Posts: 4
in Problem solving
Last year and again this year the flowers have only partially opened.   Does anyone know why?  It looks healthy otherwise and has been in the same spot for at least 15 years. Thanks 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The usual reasons are either frost just as the flowers are about to open, or more likely - lack of water in late summer when buds form for the following year. It means the flowers get sacrificed to save the foliage and the rest of the shrub.
    Rhodos are shallow rooted, so it's easy for them to get dehydrated if you're not in the right sort of location for growing them - ie cooler and damper. Plenty of organic matter added regularly [ especially after winter]  helps too, as it improves the soil and helps retain winter moisture. Even just a mulch of bark or similar will do that job well. 
    If you have a photo, that can help with advice too.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • alexandrians.liverpoolWtB_EYeXalexandrians.liverpoolWtB_EYeX Posts: 4
    Photos taken this afternoon 
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    They look frosted to me @alexandrians.liverpoolWtB_EYeX
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
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