Re: Azealas and Rhodies

Hello Tammy,
    I think you are correct... some Rhodies are more tolerant than others to
soils, transplanting and disturbance.
    While some species or hybrids may be hardy in foliage, the buds may not be as
hardy and fail during winter, so that while you keep the shrub you loose the
blooms. Always ask about bud-hardiness on your azalea or rhodie. The buds that
give you blooms in spring are forming now and continue to grow over winter.
    These shrubs are not heavy feeders, but they do need to be fed twice a year if
you want those spectacular blooms. Once about February and then again around late
June, using recommended amounts and fertilizer specific for acid lovers.
    All these shrubs, to the best of my knowledge, require acid soils to live.
They are shallow rooted and those roots require oxygen... that means a loose
root-run. I use a mix of 1/3 native soil, 1/3 mini-pine bark, 1/3 peat or leaf
compost. If soil is clay or heavy I plant on top of the ground in a mound I create
with my special mix. As the plant matures I spread out the mound further each year
for the new root to run in. Mulch, mulch, mulch each year and do not allow to dry
out the first two years for sure.
    Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Tammy Jones <tammlyn@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: [SG] Azealas and Rhodies


> I am gathering from the various posts here that perhaps it is the soil
> which determines on how well rhodies and azaleas do in a specific zone
> (with exceptions of course) instead of the zone itself.  Or perhaps it
> is a bit of both.
>
> However, I have three of the old fashion, regular 'ol rhodies - and they
> seem to barely get by.  In other words, they do ok - but they have never
> really given me spectacular blooms and one is about half gone.  They
> were planted in a bed amended with wood mulch, pine needles and compost.
>
> On the other hand my first PMJ hybrid, I bought at a steep discount, not
> really sure how it was going to do, etc. so I just plopped it in one
> late fall to see.  It is the most spectacular azalea/rhodie in my
> garden.  Perhaps this is a hybrid more tolerant not only of zone 5
> temps, but also less picky about soil.  ????
>
> Tammy
> Zone 5b
> Mid Missouri
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