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Sorry looking rhododendron

gerald.kinggerald.king Posts: 12
in Plants
Hi, I’m trying to rescue this rhododendron. My sister in law has just moved into a new house and this has been left out most of the Spring/ summer in the Drive getting little attention. 

I have cleaned out some moss etc that was on the top of the pot and added some fresh compost and have been watering it frequently over the last few days. 

Question I have is that once it flowers should I cut it back hard to try and rejuvenate it and try and encourage it to fill out with more fresh growth? 


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Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,309
    It just looks very dehydrated...they tend to do so much better in the ground and this pot doesn't seem big enough for quite a sizeable plant. I'd say if there's dead wood then trim it off, otherwise the shape looks fine to me...cutting it down won't address the issue, which is the lack of nutrition and moisture. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • gerald.kinggerald.king Posts: 12
    Ok thanks for the advice. I’ll plant it in the ground and see how it goes 
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,008
    Ericaceous soil and rainwater are preferable requisites for Rhododendrons ; dappled shade can be beneficial too ,
  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    What kind of compost did you use?
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    Millais Nursery are rhododendron specialists and I am posting the link to their care and advice pages for reference.https://www.rhododendrons.co.uk/advice/12-care-advice
  • gerald.kinggerald.king Posts: 12
    FlyDragon said:
    What kind of compost did you use?
    I’m not sure what was used in the pot originally or how old the plant is.  I just topped it up with some multipurpose I had in the garden. 


  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    gerald.king said:
    FlyDragon said:
    What kind of compost did you use?
    I’m not sure what was used in the pot originally or how old the plant is.  I just topped it up with some multipurpose I had in the garden. 


    I'd repot it with ericaceous.  They really do need an acidic soil.  If its been potted in neutral or alkaline it might do a lot better once its in the right stuff!
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    Agree, ericaceous compost, water with rainwater, rhodo feed and site it in the shade. Keep it moist too. 
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,215
    edited June 2020
    Close up clear pics would help.
    Hard to tell from your pic ..but the fresh new buds look OK.
    Be patient...plant it, keep it watered...it may be fine
    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • gerald.kinggerald.king Posts: 12
    Planted it out of the pot. Hopefully it will only thrive. 



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