HI,
I have an azalea with a braided trunk that was flowering beautifully when it was purchased in october. I re-potted it using a normal garden mix and have been working hard at keeping it from drying out. Now this plant's leaves are turning brown and falling off, some buds are dying before they flower and some new shoots are forming on the trunk. I've read that this tree needs acidic soil, could my re-potting have caused this problem? should this tree be outside? What should I do to save this beautiful tree?
Thanks,
-
Gnome
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:17 am
- Location: Western PA USDA Zone 6A
lyle,
Often Azaleas that are sold this time of year are not hardy and so would not do well outside in your area, at least not full time. Check the tag for specific information. If you are lucky enough to find a proper ID you can look it up, but for now assume it is a so called "Florist Azalea"
Often these plants are not intended to be kept and re-bloomed and are discarded after the flowers fade. This does not mean that you cannot try though. I currently have one Azalea but it is a hardy variety and has never seen the inside of the house so you are in uncharted territory for me.
Here is a some further reading:
[url]https://www.azaleas.org/index.pl/faq.html[/url]
[url]https://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h144azalea.html[/url]
[url]https://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/flowers/azalea.htm[/url]
Norm
Often Azaleas that are sold this time of year are not hardy and so would not do well outside in your area, at least not full time. Check the tag for specific information. If you are lucky enough to find a proper ID you can look it up, but for now assume it is a so called "Florist Azalea"
Often these plants are not intended to be kept and re-bloomed and are discarded after the flowers fade. This does not mean that you cannot try though. I currently have one Azalea but it is a hardy variety and has never seen the inside of the house so you are in uncharted territory for me.
Here is a some further reading:
[url]https://www.azaleas.org/index.pl/faq.html[/url]
[url]https://www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygbriefs/h144azalea.html[/url]
[url]https://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortiscope/flowers/azalea.htm[/url]
Norm
Lyle,
The problem is that you repotted while it was in bloom. This has stressed the plant severely. Repotting of Azaleas should be done only after all blooms have withered and dropped. (I hope you didn't also prune).
The best thing to do now, is move it to a bright, warm location and hope it recovers. Keep it only moist, but don't let it dry out. Maybe the warmer temps will curtail blooming until it can recover.
The problem is that you repotted while it was in bloom. This has stressed the plant severely. Repotting of Azaleas should be done only after all blooms have withered and dropped. (I hope you didn't also prune).
The best thing to do now, is move it to a bright, warm location and hope it recovers. Keep it only moist, but don't let it dry out. Maybe the warmer temps will curtail blooming until it can recover.