Rhododendron
By Rkwright
7 May, 2012
2 likes
I've had this rhododendron for at least 6 years and this is the first time it has flowered. It was planted in a bad spot and I spent the last two years getting it healthy again. It looks great now, the biggest one I have. I'll add a picture of the whole plant once all the flowers are open.
Comments on this photo
Part of it depends on your soil. If you have sandy soil, plant it normally and add some peat moss or ground leaves into the hole. If you have heavier soil, plant it on top of the ground and put a mix of sand/peat or pine bark/peat around it. Rhododendrons need good drainage and acidic soil, if you have both of those you shouldn't have many problems (unless they are exposed to winter wind and sun). If the leaves are yellow, you probably don't have acidic soil or there is an iron deficiency (the two go hand-in-hand). I use holly tone fertilizer once or twice a season, if the leaves are looking yellow after that then it can help to add a little bit of iron too. I have info on planting and caring for rhododendrons so if you like I can always forward that to you. They usually recover quickly once they are happy with conditions.
8 May, 2012
Fab-u-lous! I love the colour. Mine are all pinky shades - very girly!!!
8 May, 2012
This is very boyish...lol
8 May, 2012
I don't think any of my rhododendrons were the colors I thought they would be haha. I'd love to have a red and a white with a purple center.
9 May, 2012
...then rhododendron Sappho is one for you. I have Sappho for 4 years, bought it in Prague in a famous breeding school and it never bloomed here, lol. Czechs just do not like us :)
9 May, 2012
The next rhododendron I'd like to get is called oceanlake and it is a blue color. I have to order it from Oregon though and it always costs me twice as much for shipping as it does for the plant!
9 May, 2012
Exactly! I had the same experinece if I order something from the Czech republic. That is why I prefer personal take it over. Of course, it is harder to travel across the USA for one and the next shrub :)
10 May, 2012
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What do you do to make it healthier? I have rhododendron Lord Roberts. Bought it young, it grows in a pot vigorously, then I replanted it in the partial shade of a pine tree and since that time it has ugly leaves. Changed the soil three or four time, I add each spring and June fertiliser. The soil is moderately wet, so not too much dry, not too much wet. Nothing helps for 4 years. I am thinking of getting rid of it...
7 May, 2012