I need help with my Rhodie
+4
I've had this plant for about 10 years, this is the first year it's really bloomed and I love the flowers, but the poor thing looks pretty sad. I had to transplant it about 5 years ago, I moved and didn't want to leave it. What should I do so I can keep it.
Boy thats one sad rhodie. After it finishes blooming, I would cut it back at the top leaving some leaves, just nip the end new growth.... this will stimulate the lateral buds on the stems to sprout new growth making it bushier. Rhodies like acidic soil, so if you drink coffee, but some grounds around the base. Wouldn't hurt to give it a dose of Rhodie fertilizer too.
where is the plant located?
Sometimes a plants visibly shows its stresses long after that precipitating factor.
watch it for diseases and bugs as it may be in a weakened state, prune when appropriate. It may recover and thrive again.
Ive had the same experience with transplanting a lilac bush.
For regional expert diagnosis consider the following - a personal consultation with your planting zone and soil in mind.
A great resource that I have used and highly recommend .....is your local Cooperative extension. These offices are manned by a wonderful team of master gardeners that know your local situation quite well. There's also email ( submit a photo) Q&A resources that have helped my concerns and questions many times. Consider googling up your local extensions office.
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Good luck nursing your plant along- happy gardening!
it looks as if your shrub is planted too deeply; if it is, you've created idea condition for root rot, suffocated roots (tree roots need oxygen, etc -believe it or not).
every state has a Master Gardener program, check out its website or call its hot line for information on planting technique.
Your rhododendron has a gorgeous flower, so I think you should try to nurse it back to health. After the flowers finish blooming this spring, make sure to pinch off the fading flowers (look up how to do this by googling it). That will stimulate growth for next year. Also, I'm a big fan of Holly Tone, which is great for acid-loving plants. Mix the prescribed amount gently into the soil around your rhodie. For a plant of this size, it will probably only be a cup or two of Holly Tone, spread all around the plant. It takes a while, but your plant should show some improvement after that. A feeding of Holly Tone now in spring and again in fall should help. If you like to mulch, pine needles or pine nuggets are good.
You could try mixing 1 tablespoon of Epson Salt in a gallon of water. Pour this solution on the soil at the base of the plant. This will put enzymes in your soil. Your Rhodie should perk up a bit after each application which should be approx every 2 weeks. Hope this helps you. Good luck.
the others are right about the acid soil so how do you get it ?get some pine needles spread them around the plant does wonders . And its easy and you dont have to salt your earth