Azalea Tree

Best fertilizer for azaleas?

2009-04-12T23:56:00.001-07:00

Poo.

Best fertilizer for azaleas?
You want an acidic fertilizer. Hollytone is a popular brand name. Also you can use a water-soluble fertilizer for acid-loving plants such as MirAcid brand ( The acid loving type of MiracleGrow)
Reply:know anyone with rabbits?

rabbit pellets (poo) is the best. seriously
Reply:I add egg shells and banana peels to mine along with coffee grounds.... anything organic and acidic would be good

beauty

Does any one know how to take care of azaleas?

2009-04-12T23:56:00.000-07:00

I just bought some azaleas and want to know how to care for them. Are they perennials or are they annuals? How big do they get? I am going to be planting them soon and would like any advise to get the best results from my plants.

Does any one know how to take care of azaleas?
I love these plants, so rewarding!

You can find out about the problems that can happen here:

http://www.azaleas.org/index.pl/azdiseas...

and the most brilliant care sheet is here:

http://www.azaleas.org/index.html

One or two additional tips:

Since they love acid so much, I take pine needles and bury them underground in and around the place where they grow, and ensure only acid-loving plants are there.

Growing them under a acid-causing tree like a pine tree is ideal with some light shade.

Some taller varieties like sun, and lots of it, it depoends on the variety.

I also make sure to sprinkle epson salts around it annually, just a bit, to prevent the leaves going yellow for lack of iron.

All through the year I give mine a high-grade foliar feed, and always amaze any visitors, who swear it%26#039;s only supposed to flower twice a year, mine flower year round, since I protect them in winter with extra mulch (pine needled and I break pine cones up too). I%26#039;ve never had one react to the amount of acidity I give it, for some weird reason.

Mine are all in pots or in my rockery, and they make the most beautiful show when there%26#039;s a variety of them in different sizes and shades, absolutely beautiful!
Reply:They prefer a shady sight, such as the north or east side of your home. It does not have to be dense shade, filtered sunlight or a sight that receives morning sun and afternoon shade will be fine.

Azaleas also like to be protected from the winter winds by a building, slope, evergreen trees or shrubs. This helps them avoid leaf scorch or stem bark splitting.

Azaleas grow best in slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 - 6.0) that has good drainage

To plant an azalea, dig the hole 2x the width of the nursery container or root ball and only as deep to keep the plant stem at the same level as it was growing in the nursery or in your yard. It is better to plant a little shallow than too deep.

Azaleas should be pruned soon after they bloom to avoid cutting off next year’s flower buds.

Hope this helps.
Reply:Be SURE that you have acidic or non-alkaline soil. The correct soil conditions for Azaleas is vital . Woodland ,semi-shaded leafy soils suit well.
Reply:azaleas fall in the category of Shrubs. azaleas bloom in spring. Azaleas grow best in well-drained acidic garden soil or in plant pots, in a cool, shady position. Fertilizer is optional, although some species do need regular pruning. Care must be taken to prevent exposure to drought or other heat related stress conditions associated with full sun exposure. Mulch well around the base of the plant to cover roots, hold in moisture, and protect root ball from sun.

Ground Preparation: Dig a hole 6-8 inches deep and fill it with water. If the hole drains within a few hours, you have good drainage. If the water is still standing 12 hours later, improve the drainage in your bed. You may have to take corrective action, perhaps by establishing a raised bed. A soil sample is always a good idea. Azaleas are acid-loving plants, so optimum PH levels in the soil should be between 5.5 and 6.5.

Planting: Turn the soil well and dig a hole twice as wide as it is deep. Mix some organic compost or peat moss with the soil. (This is especially important if you have sandy or heavy clay soil.) Remove your Azalea from its container and carefully but firmly loosen the root ball. Set the plant into the hole you’ve prepared, making sure the top of the root ball is above the soil level. Pull your soil around the plant, water thoroughly and cover with mulch.

Spring %26amp; Summer Planting Care: Water your Azalea well when you first plant it, and keep the soil moist until winter. New azaleas will die quickly if the soil dries excessively. Your new Encore Azalea should not need regular watering after the first year unless there are periods of excessive drought. Fertilize with the recommended levels of azalea feed soon after planting. Do not fertilize after August. This fertilizing schedule is highly recommended for areas with sandy soils.

Fall %26amp; Winter Planting Care: Azaleas do well when they are planted at this time. New roots produced in the fall will help the azalea flourish in the next growing season. Although less watering is necessary, do not allow the roots to become dry. Cover your young azalea with insulating covering when extreme cold weather approaches. As your Azalea matures, it will need less winter care. Do not fertilize until after the last frost. When you do fertilize, use azalea feed as directed. This fertilizing schedule is highly recommended in areas with sandy soils.

Pruning: Azaleas require very little pruning to retain good form and do not need %26quot;dead-heading.%26quot; If you think your Azalea needs pruning, do so immediately after the spring flowering for maximum bud set. Light pruning of more established plants will stimulate growth and flowering.

Spacing: Azaleas should be planted the same width apart as the mature dimensions specify. This measurement should be taken from the center of one plant to the center of the other. For example: Autumn Angel%26#039;s mature dimensions are 3 feet wide. In order to have mature Autumn Angel Encore Azaleas bunched next to each other, you should plant them 3 feet apart, starting at the center of one plant and measuring to the center of the other. If you would like space between your azaleas, you should separate them by more than the mature width dimensions.

Brown foliage can be an indicator of over-fertilizing and under-watering

beauty

How to make neutral soil more acidic to plant azaleas?

2009-04-12T23:55:00.003-07:00

We would like to plant Azaleas but our soil isn%26#039;t acidic enough. Would like to know how to adjust it.

How to make neutral soil more acidic to plant azaleas?
Do not add lime. Lime will raise soil pH (make it more basic - less acidic) Go to Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes or any plant nursery and buy Amonium Sulfate as a soil additive to increase acidity.
Reply:You may also use agricultural sulfur to adjust the ph, but lots of organic matter and azalea specific fertilizer are the best.
Reply:I was just at a Lowe%26#039;s and they had so many things to do so mnay things to so many plants, it was confusing. Your best bet is a garden center like that.
Reply:Go to your local fertilizer company and pick up some phosphate.
Reply:Adding a peat based compost without any lime you can also add some sulphate of iron especially formulated for Azaleas and other acidic plants which you can get from any good garden shops.
Reply:adding lime always works for me
Reply:Lime is an alkaline not an acid. It will do the opposite.
Reply:Use pine needle mulch, and ferrous sulfate. Oak leaves are also quite acidic and will help lower your ph. (Do NOT use aluminum sulfate, the aluminum builds up in the soil and is toxic)
Reply:A mulch of pine needles will help

skin disease

New plantings Azaleas & Camillia Hard Freeze expected tonight. How much coverage is needed.?

2009-04-12T23:55:00.002-07:00

Landscaper told us we could plant our new front yard thru Thanksgiving in north part of Central Florida, Gainesville. We are expecting a Hard Freeze for the next two nights but warming into the 40s during the day. How much covering do I need to do? I also read to use christmas lights to keep plants a little warmer?????

New plantings Azaleas %26amp; Camillia Hard Freeze expected tonight. How much coverage is needed.?
Hi:

I am a landscaper and designer. Your plants should be fine even with the frost. Although they are new, the Camellia is a good hardy evergreen and so are the Encore Azaleas. If you want to give them some protection, you can take some burlap and wrap it around them. Don%26#039;t wrap it too tight. You can also mulch around the bottom of the shrubs to protect the root system. Your ground doesn%26#039;t freeze, so you should be fine. I live in South Carolina and last night was 22 degrees and I still have blooms on my Osmanthus (Tea Olive) and Viburnum.

For the next few days if you need to water them, water during the warmest part of the day! Hope this helps some and if you need any other suggestions, please feel free to contact me at my website. Good luck to you. I will link you to my site map as this page has everything that is on the website. I will also link you to my gallery of plants section as this has two pages on the Camellias. Browse through and see if any of this information can help you. Have a great day!

Kimberly

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.c...

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.c...
Reply:Some camillias can survive to 0 along with azaleas. if you have a common camillia it can survive to 5. christmas lights are a good idea and i would cover it just in case
Reply:We use the white fabric row covers for anything we need to cover. They are good down into the 20%26#039;s and let sun and rain in. We often double the fabric. You can buy it at places such as WalMart, nurseries, garden centers, and etc. It can be saved and used every year.

computer

Planting Dwarf Azaleas....?

2009-04-12T23:55:00.001-07:00

What is the best method of planting small bushes on a side of a townhome? I am trying to spruce up the side of my townhome and I am not sure what to do? I live in Zone 7. Any suggestions of turning my bland townhome into the talk of the neighborhood? Thanks!

Planting Dwarf Azaleas....?
Since azaleas are acid lovers, don%26#039;t plant them close to the foundation of buildings, where concrete footers will leach alkalines into the soil. If you must do so, because that %26#039;s the best space you have for them, carefully remove all the soil from contact with the footer for about 2 feet down and 2 feet out from the footer, along the whole length of the area the azaleas will need when they reach mature size--which should be stated on their labels. Cut a piece of 1/2%26quot; styrofoam, available from hardware and building supply stores, 2 feet wide by the proper length, and hold it firmly against the footer while you fill the bed with fresh soil. Use 1/3 topsoil, 1/3 peatmoss, and 1/3 potting soil, well blended. The acidic soil azaleas love can be created by mixing in well-chopped dry leaves or aged compost. Add a handful or two of bone meal, superphosphate, and sulphur to the mix; those are all available at garden centers and farm supply stores.

Azaleas have very shallow roots, so a 2- or 3-inch covering of mulch helps them to preserve water and ward off heat. I routinely sprinkle Preen, to prevent weed seed from sprouting, and slug bait on every bed I make before I apply mulch. Water your azaleas regularly and deeply, so their roots will grow downward, following the water.

Consider the smaller, native, understory trees for your yard: Dogwood, serviceberry, redbud, wild crabapple and wild plum flower in spring and bear fruit the birds love. Select shrubs from you local nursery by checking their tags for their mature height and width, and, when you plant them, leave them plenty of room to reach those sizes.

If your yard bakes in the heat of sun and pavement, pick plants that will thrive in that environment, such as annual golden California Poppy, Madagascar Periwinkle, which comes in many colors, annual or perennial verbenas, perennial geraniums and spiderworts, and perennial phlox, a group of plants with creepers, low mounding plants, and 3-footers, many of which are fragrant. Roses will be happy in a hot environment, but hunt for specimens that will fit your yard. To really know the neighbors%26#039; socks off, plant plenty of bulbs for spring and summer flowering: tulips, hyacinths, crocus, grape hyacinths, and ipheion for spring, and acidanthera, gladiolas, and lilies for summer. The creeping forms of sedum will make nice, carefree groundcovers for hot areas.

If your yard tends to be more shady and cool, try ferns, Jacob%26#039;s ladder, hellebores (Christmas rose and Lenten rose), Columbines (Aquilegia species), native gingers, primroses, tiarella, dwarf crested iris, and Gerbera daisies, which are tender, but too beautiful to pass up.

Have fun!
Reply:I goofed! It%26#039;s plants.usda.gov -- My apology! Report It

Reply:Well Azaleas will certainly be a show stopper. I planted several in my front yard that are in bloom as I write (I%26#039;m in Zone9). I used two colors of lighter and darker pink and they are now growing together as if they were one bush. I planted mine relatively close together and made certain that they were planted in deep and wide enough holes for their roots to spread. I also hit mine with Acid (available in the garden section of the home improvement store, it is a fertillizer) and the blooms are prolific.

dental

Other than azaleas & rhododendrens what flowering perrenials can I grow in ericacious compost & ordinary soil?

2009-04-12T23:55:00.000-07:00

Perennials for Acid Soil

Lupines Lupinus

Butterfly Weed Aesclepias

Turtlehead Chelone

Snakeroot Cimicifuga

Fringed Bleeding Heart Dicentra

Foxglove Digitalis

Gentian Gentiana

Primroses Primula

Trillium Trillium

Woodland Phlox Phlox stolon.

Virginia Bluebells Mertensia

Coral Bells Heuchera

Barrenwort Epimedium

Marsh Marigold Caltha

Lady Slipper Cypripedium

Hardy Ferns, most varieties

Groundcovers For Acid Soil

Winterberry Cornus canadensis

Wintergreen Gaultheria

Lilies of the Valley Convollaria

Bearberry Arctostaphylos

Miscellaneous Plants for Acid Soil

Wax Begonias

Calla Lilies

Narcissus

Other than azaleas %26amp; rhododendrens what flowering perrenials can I grow in ericacious compost %26amp; ordinary soil?
any number of perennials can grow in acidic soils.. many of them prefer it. (5.7-6.5 pH)
Reply:Hydrangeas can be grown in both, but if you are growing the blue ones they need to be in ericacious soil to keep their colour and not turn pink.
Reply:Hypericums
Reply:Hydrangeas, ericas (heather)...anything you like is worth a try if it goes a bit funny looking you could always move it somewhere else. Live dangerously-Nothing is gonna die overnight x
Reply:loads fucias there very pretty pink flowers they die off but come back bigger every year. lillies,hydrangers,camilias,roses you name it only buy perrenials i just put them in and my garden looks great the plant will let you no if its no happy in its spot as it want grow well
Reply:hydrangers and the %26#039;bottle brush%26#039; shrub which is georgous
Reply:too bad we don%26#039;t know your planting zone number... it is a lot easier to know which one grow best in your area. I%26#039;m in zone 9 Central Florida and Hibiscus grow very well.

Payday Loan

Anyone paint azaleas on rocks?

2009-04-12T23:54:00.000-07:00

i%26#039;ve never seen azaleas done in specific... i used to paint river rocks so that they looked like animals though. it was a little craft activity that i found a few years ago. just your standard acrylic craft paint does fine, you might be able to find books on such a topic at your local arts and crafts store. good luck and have fun with it.

Anyone paint azaleas on rocks?
I don%26#039;t paint azaleas exactly, but I use acrylic paint to do other types of flowers, animals, designs, etc. I think it%26#039;s a really neat thing to do and when you put them outside by the door they look really nice.

Soles