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Azalea Growing Habits - Growing Technique?
WeekendPruner
Posts: 28
Hello.
I have bought several Azalea over the last few months and the habit of the plants seems to differ from each supplier.
I have bought 9 from Gardening Express as they are often good value but leggy, less bushy but are still growing well in large pots. Very few visable buds on it for this year right enough.
I bought a more expensive azalea from another online retailer which is very different. Low, bushy, full of buds, dark green and more healthy looking.
The 2 plants pictured are actually bought as the same plant. Azalea Autumn fire.
The colour change is something that both plants are meant to do but my potted plant in 1st photo (more than double the price) which has lived outside all autumn and winter, remained green. I'm not as worried by this as it might be for other reasons.
My question is that, has the 1st photo azalea been pruned hard in the middle of the shrub, earlier in its growth to get a bushier plant?
Is it growing conditions? Lack of light, crammed in? Dark corner of the greenhouse...
I see a lot of weedly looking evergreen Azaleas for sale.
Thoughts appreciated.
I have bought several Azalea over the last few months and the habit of the plants seems to differ from each supplier.
I have bought 9 from Gardening Express as they are often good value but leggy, less bushy but are still growing well in large pots. Very few visable buds on it for this year right enough.
I bought a more expensive azalea from another online retailer which is very different. Low, bushy, full of buds, dark green and more healthy looking.
The 2 plants pictured are actually bought as the same plant. Azalea Autumn fire.
The colour change is something that both plants are meant to do but my potted plant in 1st photo (more than double the price) which has lived outside all autumn and winter, remained green. I'm not as worried by this as it might be for other reasons.
My question is that, has the 1st photo azalea been pruned hard in the middle of the shrub, earlier in its growth to get a bushier plant?
Is it growing conditions? Lack of light, crammed in? Dark corner of the greenhouse...
I see a lot of weedly looking evergreen Azaleas for sale.
Thoughts appreciated.
0
Posts
The first photo is an example of a quality, healthy plant. the 2nd one isn't, and there could be several reasons for that, but the most likely is that it's been badly maintained from early on, and possibly been root bound.
The colour change in foliage is determined by conditions, and it hasn't been cold enough for those changes, as it's caused by temperature drop. If it's in a sheltered spot, that will prevent that happening too.
This info from teh RHS explains it
https://www.rhsplants.co.uk/plants/_/rhododendron-autumn-fire-roblez-pbr-encore-azalea-series/classid.2000037663/#:~:text=One of the new breed,from midsummer to early autumn.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
There are several camillias near me doing very well and saw some beautiful red ones on a recent trip to Ayr.
I had assumed poor quality this will be the case. You get what you pay for.
They are planted for 8 months in pots and the gardening express ones have become a little more bushy.
I am learning about plants and the where to buys and not to buys. I did email gardening express to tell them I was disappointed but the response was, "they are fine."
Why such a height difference too?
I am hoping being planted in the ground and looked after that they can recover to be full and bushy plants.
It's almost impossible to give accurate advice about your poorer plant, but the way that first one has clearly been grown shows the difference quite clearly in how much of a factor that care is. That's how a good azalea of that type should look.
They're slow growing plants, which is why they can also be expensive.
If you get a chance, take a drive down to McLarens at Uplawmoor. They do have a website, but it's been updated, and it's got lots of errors unfortunately. They supply lots of GCs etc up here, and have huge stocks of everything, at very good prices.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Fairygirl said: I'm thinking of Camilia "Black Lace" which is a deep green and red flowering Camilia. Also offered by Glendoick.
I think I'll be spending a lot of time In Mclarens this spring and summer. Thanks for that tip. 😁
Don't be afraid to ask the staff for advice, as they know their stuff and are very friendly.
There is a good selection of plants, and some things you won't find elsewhere. Your bank account can take a hammering very easily!
Many of us have already signed up to Gardeners Corner, so you may want to have a look to continue your gardening project
https://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...