Stubborn azalea!?
Question:She REFUSES to bloom! It's been there for over 15 years and nothing! Is there something I can do? The others bloom fine and they are right next to it.
Answers:
You probably need more acid in the soil. Go to your local nursery (uhm. for plants.. not for kids.. however, maybe in Delaware they are one in the same *shrugs*) and tell them that your azalea is not blooming. Miracle Gro actually makes a special spray and there is a mix you can .. uhm. mix and add with water and add to the soil. I think you'll immediately see a change in the leaves.
If you notice that the leaves are a tad foggy greenish brown rather than a luscious green then it very well could be not enough acid in the soil. I would try this.. but then again.. I'm blonde and dated my cousin so what do I know?
More than anything, an azalea needs two things - acidic soil, and plenty of moisture. The moisture is easy, of course. As for the acidic soil, try Miracid (by the same company that makes Miracle-gro). It works very well for acid-loving plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons, and gardenias.
Also, be sure that the azalea is not near grass so that it is not getting the type of high-nitrogen fertilizer that grass gets. This makes the plant just a bit TOO happy, and it doesn't get the chemical signals that things are a little stressful, which triggers it to reproduce, meaning produce flowers. It could be just enough closer to your lawn than the others, so that it's the only one that doesn't bloom.
Good luck!
Hey man, Azaleas are sterotypically a difficult plant to have but they are not if you know how to plant it. They LOVE acidic soil...they can't touch alkaline soil. They have a bag of acidic soil at your local nursery it is called Azealea mix...how convinient. Azaleas do love water, but they hate wet feet. You may want to raise the bed a little because they need good drainage. They also need shade. With my experience with Azaleas if you meet a couple of their needs they can usually adapt. I work at The Greenery in Waxahachie texas so i am not just blowing smoke. I hope these tips work.
Good Luck!!
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