Frequently Asked Questions

When should I feed my rhododendrons ?

A light top dressing should be given early spring and autumn when the soil is moist.

What should I feed my plants with ?

If you use a proprietary acid mix ensure that it is not high in nitrogen. Otherwise use a light dressing of blood and bone or sheep pellets.

The leaves on my rhododendrons are yellowing what can I do ?

Remember that as rhododendrons are evergreen they drop their leaves throughout the year.
If you think the yellowing of the leaves is more than this and you have used blood and bone or sheep pellets you could try mixing 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts in a bucket of cold water and give to each plant.

The leaves on my plant are silvery in colour.

This is most likely caused by thrips - a tiny insect that establishes itself on the underside of leaves and can be a problem in older gardens in dry seasons or where other plants are robbing the soil of moisture. We would recommend tree bands, available from Cross Hills Nursery ( Kimbolton) or spray with Confidor or Neem Oil 900EC from spring through to early summer when the trees are actively growing.

My rhododendrons and azaleas are covered in lichen

This is not a deathblow, but is unsightly and often an indication of poor air flow and or exhausted soil. You can successfully spray with Surrender, preferably in July. The lichens turn white and when the new growth starts it pushes the lichen off the branches. If your infestation is bad, you may need to repeat the following year. Wear gloves, a mask and take great care.

Is it important to deadhead my plants and if so, when ?

The removal of spent flower heads soon after the flowers die is a form of pruning and is very necessary to keep your plants in good shape and health. Picking off the dead truss enhances new shoot development and flower bud formation. It is time well spent and will be repaid by enhanced growth and flowering. The presence of seed heads seems to have little effect on deciduous azaleas, although removal of the seed heads will be beneficial to the plants. Evergreen azaleas do not require deadheading as their prolific shoot development overcomes any problems. If vireyas set seed it is good practice to remove the unwanted seed heads, particularly on the larger-leaved forms.

My plant has quite a lot of dead growth should I remove this ?

Mature plants with a tangled mass of branches in the centre will benefit greatly by having the dead wood removed. This is not only a cosmetic improvement, but will give better air movement and less susceptibility to powdery mildew.

My rhododendron is too big and very straggly. Is there anything I can do ?

You can cut the plant right back to within 12 inch or 300mm from the ground. It would, however, be better to prune the bush back over three years - that is by one third each year for three years.

If you have a question please feel free to Contact us