Friday, November 13, 2009

How do I transplant a rhododendron?

I have a large, old rhoddie that I want to move. Any advice? Thanks.

How do I transplant a rhododendron?
For one, where do you live? That makes a difference. Typically, wait until the deciduous trees in your area have lost their leaves. At that time, all the woody plants in your area are now dormant. You could dig it from that point up until just a few weeks before the buds open up on the trees again in the spring.





The size is an issue as well. How big is it? If it is quite large (10' or so) you may have to prune some of the branches to give it a better shot and you would need to dig the root ball 3'-4' in diameter if at all possible. If it is smaller, a good rule of thumb is to dig the root ball about half the width of the bush/tree itself (if it branches out 3', dig 1 1/2' ball).





Also, check the pH of the location you want to move it to. If you had naturally acidic soil in the spot it is now, you may need to start fertilizing in the new spot if the pH is higher. If you were already fertilizing, you may need to more often in the new spot. Even if the pH is the same, it might not be a bad idea to give it a little bit more in the spring anyway.





Also, make sure you aren't planting it in direct sunlight. They are native to woody areas, so planting on the north side of your house or somewhere shady would be ideal.





Hope that helps.
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