When should a rhododendron be pruned?
Pruning of hardened wood can be done at any time except during periods of freezing weather. Early spring generally is best because the new growth then has a full season in which to develop and mature. Pruning immediately after the blooming period is standard practice. Bleeding results from copious sap flow, and can be avoided by delaying pruning until after the foliage has fully emerged. Spring flowering trees should be pruned after flowers have dropped. To avoid the introduction of disease pathogens to oaks and elms, avoid pruning between April 15 and October 15.October is your last chance to trim deciduous hedges to keep them looking tidy over the winter. Climbing roses and rambling roses can be pruned now.Pruning in autumn and winter could potentially damage the plant, as it can unbalance the root to shoot ratio during a period when it is too cold to regrow. The best time to prune is after flowering.Don’t Prune in Late Summer and Fall Pruning shrubs in August or early September may encourage a late flush of growth. This new growth may not harden sufficiently before the arrival of cold weather and be susceptible to winter injury.
How do you prepare rhododendrons for winter?
Rhododendrons need a bit of prep before snow flies. Water them deep before the freeze, mulch their roots, and shield them from wind and sun – your bushes will wake up strong and full of buds come spring. Fall chills set in, and rhododendrons need cover. If your rhododendron needs to be significantly reduced in size using a saw, this should be done over winter when the plant is dormant, between January and March. You may sacrifice a few flowers in the spring, but it gives the plant a whole season to regrow.Native rhododendrons are known for their resilience and ease of care, but a few tips can help ensure they thrive: Location, Location, Location: Choose a spot that mimics their natural habitat – dappled shade is ideal. Too much direct sunlight can lead to scorched leaves, while too little can reduce flowering.PJM type rhododendrons in most years will not require extra winter care. For the other years protection from the winter sun and wind is the most important measure you can take. This is best accomplished by wrapping the plant in burlap, or enclosing it in a burlap tent.Rhododendrons like acidic soil, spreading pine needles around, coffee grounds when planting. The best time to fertilizer is early Spring or early summer. Always stop beginning of August so not to promote any new growth that will get winterkill.Many rhododendrons, if basically healthy, will coexist with the disease and seem to outgrow or at least survive the symptoms. If you notice the symptoms on last year’s leaves, consider protecting the new growth with a fungicide. Apply it to the new growth as it expands, before the symptoms appear.
What is the lifespan of a rhododendron?
It depends on the variety. Catawba rhododendrons can live over 100 years. Look for environmental factors, root rot, weevils or fungal diseases. By the mid-1960s many of the original wild collected rhododendron species were mature and in their prime. Since then Caerhays has discovered that the life span of a taller growing rhododendron species is a maximum of 60-80 years with many smaller growing species dying of old age in a much shorter timescale.The very early flowering Rhododendrons may need frost protection, while the late flowering varieties might require more shade to extend their bloom time. In bloom or not, many Rhododendrons feature handsome foliage and make outstanding garden plants year-round.For light shaping or maintenance, cut rhododendrons back just after they finish flowering in late spring or early summer. If you need heavier rejuvenation pruning, the ideal time is in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.
What do coffee grounds do for rhododendrons?
Feeding rhododendrons with coffee grounds The slightly acidic properties of coffee grounds can be used to lower soil pH. Here are some types of plants that can benefit from coffee grounds as fertilizer: Acid-loving plants: Coffee grounds are naturally acidic, so they are great for plants that prefer a lower pH level, such as azaleas, blueberries, and rhododendrons.Rhododendrons do not need a rich soil. We recommend light application (i. September and again in late January. DO NOT ADD FERTILISER TO THE SOIL WHEN PLANTING: peat/bark is all that is required.Coffee grounds acidify the soil, making it perfect for this flower. It is recommended to use coffee as additional fertilizer along with horn shavings. Rhododendrons are quite often attacked by root weevils.