What do I do with rhododendrums?????

[crowemommy]

We will be in our house for 6 years this fall and the previous owners had beautiful plantings around the front and back yards. Unfortunately, I struggle with anything green!

There are several rhododendrums along the back of the house and I remember them being in bloom when we looked at the house, I haven't paid too much attention to them until this year when I noticed that there was one plant that doesn't look so good (it doesn't have many leaves on it and it looks greyish where the other plants look more brown / green), but we had alot of flowers on all of the plants. I remember reading somewhere that you should dead-head the plants, and now that I've started, I'm worried that I've taken off too much and am going to kill the plants!!

What should I do, keep on trimming or just let them go?

Thank you!
Lisa

[ellenmelon]

Take a leaf into the local ag extension office and make sure you don't have some disease that will strike the others. You could also try to diagnose on the internet but I'd rather get an expert's opinion.

Try to wash your hands with soap and water after touching this sick rhodo and before doing any other gardening like the deadheading on the healthy plants.

Deadheading rhodos is a good thing. Keep it to the flower part and use two hands so you don't wrench the twiggy part around too much.

[crowemommy]

Ellen, oh no! I didn't even think about it having a disease - I just figured it was from ignoring it for too long! The U of De has a huge agriculture department and it's all close to us. I'll get a leaf to them and see what they have to say.

I used my kitchen shears to cut most of the previous blooms off ... at this point I'll be surprised if the plants decide to live through the summer!

Thank you!
Lisa

[ellenmelon]

Let's hope it is nothing serious!

[ellenmelon]

Over on What Did You Do Frugal Today? thread we have been talking about putting used coffee grinds under shrubs. And there's reports about how good they are for azaleas. Well rhododendrons are in the same class of plants, the Ericacae, acid loving plants so I think that your rhodos might like such a nice top dressing also! And think how fragrant it would be to walk by too! I used coffee hulls one time around the entryway barrels and people would walk in the house going, mmmm, I smell coffee, is it on?

[Assanya]

Planting Tips:
Rhododendrons are shallow roots must be watered with care the first year. Until they become established, especially if the area is subject to prolonged periods of drought, this can mean the difference between success and tragic death of your plant. According to the American Rhododendron Society, maintaining moisture in the root is essential for the subsequent health of the plant. They advise setting a drip hose once a week to keep the root ball moist.
Plant or transplant into a hole that is wide but as deep as the root ball. Back cover and tamp well. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established. The planting of a superficial little is better than planting too deeply.
A rhododendron root system is near the soil surface. Keep as many roots as possible when transplanting. To reduce stress, you may need to trim the plants under 12 inches to encourage root development.