Friday, November 13, 2009

Need some answers about a rhododendron plant.?

I have a rhododendronI planted in early April. It is very pretty and I don't want it to die during the winter. I know it is a perennial but I don't know if I should prune, etc. Can you help me? I have searched everything I can think of on line, and found no answers. Spell check had me change the spelling of this word, so I hope it is correct.

Need some answers about a rhododendron plant.?
If it made it through the growing season it should be just fine over the winter. No need to use protection. But NEVER prune a rhodie in fall! It forms next year's flower buds on this season's growth and they winter over. If you prune in fall, you will be taking off next year's flowers! If you must prune (and you might want to, just to keep it compact), do it in spring, immediately after the flowers fade.
Reply:No do not prune it or you will be pruning off next years blooms.It won't die during the winter you really don't have to do anything to it.Hollytone is good to use spring and fall..
Reply:If Rhodies are being sold in your area we will assume they are hardy there and should survive the winter. Their roots are what is very tender and if you might have some cold temps apply some mulch around the trunk but DO NOT pile it up around the trunk, just over where the roots are.


If you have to prune a Rhodie, the only reason you would prune it is for size and or shape and it is best to prune after it blooms.





By pruning, with out a doubt, you will loose some of next year flowers as they form directly beneath this years... but others form as well.





Best idea really, is to buy the right size plant / species for your growing spot. A rule of thumb for Rhodies is: the larger the leaf the larger the scrub will grow. If you want a smaller plant, buy one with smaller leaves.
Reply:I would use an antidesicant on it to protect it from dehydration during the winter. Since Rhodos do not lose their leaves in the winter, cold arid wind will cause water to evaporate from the leaves. But if the ground is frozen that water cannot be replaced because roots can't suck up ice. The result is dehydration which will not show up when it's occurring but in the spring when the plant becomes more active. Dehydration is the most common problem we see with rhodos, azaleas, holly--things that keep their leaves in the winter.





Some good products are Wilt-Pruf or Bonide has one (I can't think of the label name but a garden center could help you). Spray the tops and bottoms of leaves to help keep the water in the plant about the end of November. It will protect it the rest of the winter during the cold months.





If it's near the road you can put burlap around it to protect it from salt spray.





You don't have to prune it unless it's losing its shape and then do it in the spring after blooming.
Reply:I have a Rhodie which I have had for many years. Its out in all weathers, even snow,ice ! I have never pruned it,if you do, you will lose the following years flowers. I do not dead head it either,,just remove the petals as they drop.Mine was absolutely laden with flowers this year,yet I do nothing to it!
Reply:I would think to cut it back. I belong to garden'g groups under yahoo. If U wanna try ask'g, Im sure some1 knows the answer. Or try look'g for a gardening group in Ur area under Yahoo Groups. Here's the ones I belong to:





http://groups.yahoo.com/group/azseedexch...





http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Phoenix_ga...





Ive found them to b most helpful.


~ Bridget ~
Reply:Look up azalea. Same family.
Reply:I only trim what looks dead on mine. And because I am in NW ohio and winters are harsh I cover my new perennials with some burlap their first winter.


No comments:

Post a Comment