problem-with-dwarf-rhododendron
David Patrick
Posts: 2
Hi All,
I have a problem with a dwarf rhododendron and have done for many years now. I had planted it in soil many years ago which the plant didn't like at all. I've since taken it out and planted it in a pot to see if it would revive for replanting a later stage. We do get some flowers each year that last a couple of weeks but as you can see from the image it does lack growth and looks rather unwell. Any thoughts/ideas very welcome
Thanks
0
Posts
Rhodes need good ericacious soil David so that's your first port of call. Loads of watering at this time of year to help the buds grow well. The pot does look a bit on the small side, maybe it's pot bound - but I don't know if this would be a problem, someone else will. Also I'm not sure about how to prune it to encourage better growth but hopefully you will get some firther advice soon. PS - my first ever plant was a rhode and it's still going strong after 20+ years.
Hi both - thank you for your responses - I did pot with a good quality ericaceous compost and I've just checked the roots which I've not done for a long time. I remember when I took the plant from the ground the root ball was very small - is this normal for a rhode? The roots now still do not appear to be that much bigger in the pot and certainly do not fill the entire pot - but is this what I expect to see? I've read the roots are shallow - so as you suggest a larger pot would help this? Do I also need to mix the ericaceous compost with a sandy compost to aid drainage? I noticed the pot, even though has holes in the bottom, is very wet and holding a lot of water.
Oh and the base of the plant likes to be covered - keep this part shaded, a good mulch, leaves, ground cover plants,( or I've used pebbles in the past, but it doesn't look right with rhodos).