John, Author at Hydrangea Guide

Why is my azalea not blooming?

July 21, 2022 John

If you’re not getting the glorious two-week display of blooms on your azalea, it may be due to disease or environmental factors. Here are the most common causes for your azalea not blooming and what to do about them. Too much nitrogen in the soil encouraging foliage only Your azalea may not be blooming because its environment has too much nitrogen. Maybe you’ve overdone this micro-nutrient in the fertiliser you fed your plant. Nitrogen is great for lush foliage growth…

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How to propagate rhododendrons from cuttings

July 21, 2022 John

The best way to propagate rhododendrons is to take cuttings. It’s easy to take the cuttings, but it’s a long and fairly difficult process to grow them successfully. But that’s OK, just take lots of cuttings. Here’s how to do this. When to take rhododendron cuttings I have found that the best time to take rhododendron cuttings is during the warmer summer months. Aim for between the end of July and the middle of August in the UK. Taking them…

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Growing rhododendrons in pots

July 21, 2022 John

Growing rhododendrons in pots can be done very successfully, especially if you carefully choose the variety you grow. Here’s how to have a display of these glorious plants in containers. Choose your rhododendron variety Look for a dwarf variety of rhododendron. I like ‘Ostbo’s Red Elizabeth’, Rhododendron yakushimanum cultivars, and the deciduous Rhododendron ‘Lutescens’. You can grow any Rhododendron in a pot for a shorter period of time, but they will quickly outgrow their pots, so choosing a smaller variety…

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Learn why your rhododendron might be dying of which there are many but 4 main reasons to consider first.

Why is my rhododendron dying?

July 21, 2022 John

It’s quite difficult to kill rhododendrons, so are you sure that your rhododendron is dying? Many problems with rhododendrons can be fixed, so don’t give up on your plant yet. Here are some of the common problems with rhododendrons and what to do about them. Growing environment Planted in the wrong environment in the wrong soil PH rating Rhododendrons like moist but well-drained soil and to be in partial or dappled shade. They do need sunlight but not hours of…

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Why is my rhododendron leaves turning yellow?

July 21, 2022 John

The reasons that your rhododendron may be going yellow are primarily linked to its growing environment and how you are treating the plant. Here are the main reasons for this problem and what to do about them. Firstly, I have found the most common reason for rhododendron leaves turning yellow is the soil not being acidic, which leads to yellowing leaves. I recommend testing the soil ph with a soil testing kit, and you need a soil ph of below…

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What’s eating my rhododendron leaves and buds?

July 21, 2022 John

Are you sure something is eating your rhododendron leaves? Pests and diseases, the weather and the plant’s growing conditions can all make your rhododendron leaves vulnerable. While some of these problems do actually eat the leaves, the others just make it look like the leaves are being eaten. Here’s what to look for and what to do about the problems. First of all, check out my article Rhododendron pests and diseases. This gives an insightful view of the most common…

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When and how to prune rhododendrons

July 21, 2022 John

Rhododendrons don’t need a lot of pruning; even as a professional gardener, I’ve not pruned rhododendrons too often, with the exception of cutting back overgrown or dead sections. You can prune rhododendrons to keep them in shape, remove spent flowers to serve energy, rejuvenate the plant or remove diseased or dead bits. Most pruning is best down bwteen late winter after the first frost and right up to the last frost in spring. This is when they are technically dormant…

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Learn possible why your rhododendron buds might be falling off which includes lack of water, bud blast and even vine weevils.

Why are my rhododendron buds falling off?

July 21, 2022 John

The main reason that rhododendron buds are falling off is usually drought or lack of water when grown in pots. Usually, they develop buds around June and July, so ensure they have enough water during this time as they form. More on this below. Drought is not the only cause of bud drop, so in this article, I also identify other causes and what you can do about all of this. Not getting enough water Rhododendrons usually develop flower buds…

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Rhododendron pests and diseases

July 5, 2022 John

I have found that Rhododendrons are quite hardy plants and except for drooping leaves caused by cold winters, mildew and even vine weevil can be an issue as discussed here. Usually, they are generally problem free. That being said, after growing rhododendrons for over 20 years, there is a selection of rhododendron pests including scale insects and vine weevils which can become a problem. There are also a number of diseases that can harm them which I’m always on the…

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Rhododendrons are sometimes effected by powdery mildew but its not always easy to identify.

How to Treat Rhododendrons with Powdery Mildew

July 4, 2022 John

Powdery mildew is a common disease on many plants, and rhododendrons are no exception but there is one big difference. On Rhododendrons, the white mildew usually associated with powdery mildew often doesn’t develop like on other plants making it sometimes harder to identify. However, the leaves usually develop a yellowish-green or purplish-brown spots or blotches on the surface of the leaves. The good news is that it isn’t necessarily fatal to your plant and can be treated. If you have…

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