Rhodies won't flower!

[Nognig]

3 years ago I planted two rhodies. They've never flowered, although they
continue to spread and look healthy otherwise. Any explanations or
solutions? I live in Philadelphia. Thanks!

[Stephen M. Henning]

In article <19970415023...@ladder01.news.aol.com>, nog...@aol.com
(Nognig) wrote:

There are 4 considerations:

1) Light. Rhododendrons need sun light to set flower buds. The ideal is
summer sun but no winter sun since winter sun can dessicate a plant when
the ground is frozen. The compromise is partial sun. Some rhododendrons
need more son than others to set buds.

2) Maturity. Some rhododendrons take longer before they set buds. Most
will set buds either the second or third year after rooting. Some won't.

3) Nutrients. Nitrogen promotes leaf growth and discourages flowering.
Phosphorus promotes flower production and hardiness (I highly recommend
using about a tablespoon of super phosphate on a plant the size you
describe). Potassium is necessary for general well being. Miracid is a
high nitrogen fertilizer and may discourage flower production. Hollytone
is a low nitrogen fertilizer and is preferable.

4) Seedlings (as opposed to rooted cutings and tissue culture). These may
be a natural hybrid and may be sterile, no flowers ever. Usually they
have flowers, but they are frequently less than desirable.

Visit my rhododendron and azalea web pages at:
http://www.users.fast.net/~shenning/rhody.html

--
Cheers, Steve Henning, Reading, Pennsylvania, USA
Correct email address is shen...@fast.net (Please forgive my spam deterrent)
Visit my home page at http://www.users.fast.net/~shenning

[Skyfish1]

Steve,

You seem to have a bunch of experience with Rhodies and I am considering
the use of them in my zone 5 landscape design. Kind of afraid of them...
was wondering...

Which varieties are best for my zone?

Best fertalizer?

Soil Type?

Is there a really good book?

Thanks
Brian

[Stephen M. Henning]

In article <19970415200...@ladder01.news.aol.com>,
skyf...@aol.com (Skyfish1) wrote:

> You seem to have a bunch of experience with Rhodies and I am considering
> the use of them in my zone 5 landscape design. Kind of afraid of them...
> was wondering...

Zone 5 is usually ideal. They need a well drained acidic soil. If you
have a clay soil, you can still raise rhododendrons if you use a raised
bed with a good acidic soil. The bed is usually at least 8 inches high.
This height provides the drainage.

My web site lists some plants that may do well for you and directions to
grow them.

[Helen]

I had a similiar problem and was told that my rhodie needed more water
during bud setting time [July I think]. I kept it well watered and sure
enough the next year it bloomed. I was really surprised, as the plant was
in deep shade and hadn't flowered for years. Helen zone 7 MD

Nognig <nog...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19970415023...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...

[Nick LaRocca]

Nognig wrote:
>
> 3 years ago I planted two rhodies. They've never flowered, although they
> continue to spread and look healthy otherwise. Any explanations or
> solutions? I live in Philadelphia. Thanks!

Hello Nognig:

Two things to consider. Although these plants like some shade, they
won't flower in really deep shade. Also, being fairly shallow rooted
plants, they don't take kindly to competition from other shallow rooted
companions like maples or yews.

--
Nick - NJ - Zone 6b/7a

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler."
-— Albert Einstein