Sharing is caring !
We ’re well into the azalea season and it ’s only innate we need to do everything in our exponent to make them beautiful .
They ’re not arduous feeders , but when you see them struggle , you should n’t disregard nutrient deficiencies as the cause .
fortuitously , a generous layer of compost or some other constituent plant food is all it takes for your acid - loving shrub to perk back up .
Let ’s check some more tips !
When Should You Fertilize Azaleas?
A central thing whengrowing azalea japonicaor any other multifariousness is knowing when to course them .
If you have established shrubs , fertilize them once you notice new growth appear , which ordinarily happens in spring or mid - summer .
Reblooming varieties such as Encore azalea ask fertilizer immediately after bloomingso that they can produce another flush . This spring alimentation may be all they take , although you might feed them again in the summertime .
to boot , better the growing medium with plenty of organic affair before planting azalea . And once feed fourth dimension comes , apply products specially formulated for azalea . you may use constitutive or inorganic fertilizers ; it all comes down to your taste .
If you want to establish azaleas in pin , you should use organic productsbecause you ’ll see well upshot .
And if you want to reduce your fertilizing chores , you shouldmulch azaleas with organic stuff , such as straw , leaves , compost , etc . They will decompose over metre and enrich the filth with nutrient .
Signs Your Azaleas Need More Nutrients
But if you notice some sign of alimentary inadequacy or you require your azalea to shine , add some plant food .
For instance , yellow leaves may indicate atomic number 7 lack , so you should apply plant food rich in this nutrient .
Furthermore , you may notice greensickness on azalea leafage , which is usually due to iron or manganese deficiencies . And the worst part is that this does n’t usually happen because your soil lacks these nutrients , but because it is n’t acidulous enough . ( 1 )
Note : azalea absorb nutrient most expeditiously when the soil is moist , so remember to irrigate them after fertilization .
How To Feed Them
Feeding azalea is fairly uncomplicated and all you ’ve got to do is spread a handful of granular fertilizer at the radix of the plant life so that its shallow root system can absorb the nutrients .
use the granule below the shrubs drip line and irrigate your azalea thoroughlyto activate the fertiliser .
The Best Fertilizer You Can Use
you may habituate both constitutive and inorganic fertilizers for azaleas , just check that you ’re using formula propose specifically at these bloom . They are onthe inclination of acid - loving plantsand take proper fertiliser to thrive .
Use fast or slow - release plant food based on how quickly you want to see results .
There is n’t a specific mark that ’s expert for azaleas as long as you choose a product suitable for pane - love plants . Espoma , Miracle - Gro , and Jobe ’s Organicsare all suited option .
Organic Fertilizers
Organic plant life food is my go to method of bring more nutrients to my azaleas and other shrubs .
It is safe for the environment and there ’s little chance you ’ll exaggerate it and burn your bush ’s roots .
utilise products formulated for azaleas , shrub , and Lucy in the sky with diamonds - loving plants . They unremarkably have a well - balance NPK , such astriple 4 or even 3 - 4 - 3 .
Inorganic Fertilizers
If you do n’t mind using inorganic fertiliser , you’re able to utilise slow - dismission products formulated for azalea , camelia , and rhododendrons . These are acid - do it plant and need specific pH to uptake nutrient .
Some evergreen tree diagram and bush fertilizers can mold well for azalea , just look for proper NPK percentages.11 - 7 - 7 , 10 - 5 - 4 , and 10 - 6 - 8are all suited for azalea .
However , using too much fertiliser for azalea can reduce the activity of beneficial soil microbesthat make the substrate fertile and cause your plants to become addicted to artificial plant food .
That ’s why it ’s best to just feed in these plants once or twice during their turn season to give them a boost and fend off fertilizer dependency .
The Benefits Of Feeding Azaleas
One of the first thing you ’ll notice after feeding your azaleas is that they’regrowing faster , producing good for you greenish foliage , and bear an copiousness of pinkish flowers .
That ’s because these plant food acidify the soil and create a perfect environs for azalea to fly high . These plants require a pH between 4.5 - 6.0 and these product will make certain to keep your substrate somewhere in between .
One thing that can avail these shrubs thrive istesting the soil before plantingthem . If it ’s too alkaline , you’re able to always add some acidifying agent to boost their healthy growth and coloured blossoms .
Additionally , the soil examination will tell you on the dot which nutrients your substrate lack , so you ’ll be able to center on adding those specific mineral without overapplying them .
References :
1 . Lerner , R. ( 2011).Interveinal Chlorosis on Azaleas and Rhododendron . Indiana Yard and Garden – Purdue Consumer Horticulture , A Purdue Extension Service for Home Gardeners .
