re: Rhodies

Hi, Janis.

. >>  I assume yours is an evergreen rhododendron, as most are. 

Yes, it is.

>> Evergreens are not really EVER green, as they do not keep their leaves
forever.  >>The oldest leaves do drop after a few years, even on
conifers.  And they do that >>in the fall.  If your plant looks otherwise
healthy, I wouldn't worry about it. It is >>probably just normal
senescence of the leaves.    

I was hoping that's what you'd say.

>>I don't know what part of Missouri you live in, 
>>but here in the St. Louis area we have limestone parent material so our
soils tend >>to be too alkaline (pH 7 or higher) to grow rhododendrons
well.  There are pockets >>where soil is slightly more acidic, and
fortunately, I live in Webster Groves, which >>is one of those pockets. 
The pH in my yard averages  6.2.  Not the best for
>>Rhododendrons, certainly not like in the East or Pacific Northwest, but
I have
>>beautiful, huge, 20-year old azaleas that prosper and bloom
prolifically with
>>just an occasional topdressing of cottonseed meal and watering in the 
fall if
>>it is really dry.  

Those sound so beautiful!

>>(I go easy on the irrigation because our local water is pH
>>11! )    But I have not had success the true Rhododendrons of the
genus. Do
>>you know your pH?  Since your Rhododendron seems to be doing well, I
was just
>>wondering where you live.  

I live in Springfield. Don't know the pH here, but I am gardening on what
was originally sticky red clay subsoil and rocks. Probably I am just
lucky with the rhododendron, because the most available soil amendment is
composted oak leaves, and I use lots of pine needles for mulch. Also
added lots of peat moss when I first started, and all that is acid. It
does tend to get a bit chlorotic in the spring when the young leaves are
growing, but seems to correct itself by midsummer, so I don't fool with
it. Otherwise I get nice bloom and few problems. The azaleas like it too.

Thanks for helping me with this.

		Mary, zone 6


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