What is the best way of taking care of my rhododendron?
Question:For example should I use lime to raise the Ph value. What kind of fertilizers, and should I cut the twigs in the spring or autumn? If someone knows, please.
Answers:
Rhododendron do best in light shade. Too much shade will lead to lanky plants and sparse blooms. Some will tolerate full summer sun in cooler climates, but hot sun can bleach or burn leaves. Winter sun and wind can desiccate leaves and cause decline of plant; protect from winter winds & sun, plant in sheltered sites.
The soil should be well drained but moist, NOT WET.They prefer slightly to fairly acidic soil (5.0 - 6.5 pH) rich in organic material. Alkaline soils, including lime leaching from concrete foundations or sidewalks can cause Chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves), weakening of the plant and ultimate death. Do NOT put lime on them to raise the pH! If your soil is alkaline, plant in a raised bed amended with plenty of peat moss or composted pine bark. Mulch your rhododendron with shredded bark, ground oak leaves, pine needles, or similar material. Renew annually. Water regularly, especially during the first two years. Apply a dilute acidic fertilizer in spring or early summer.
Remove spent blooms to prevent seed formation. Prune, if necessary, after blooming.
you trim a rhododendron after all the bloom are gone so next spring it should be fine for new flowers.. they need a good acid fertilizer in liquid form to apply or slow release granules which you can find easily at Home Depot or Lowe's
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