Best time to move Rhododenrons?

Question

I have a Rhododendron in a large 24 inch pot.
This year it has produced lots of buds, but only
three or four of them actually bloomed despite
my feeding it and regularly watering it. I am in
Buckinghamshire, UK.

If I wish to move (transplant) it, is it OK to remove
the old buds, or do I leave them on?
They are beautiful plants, but do not seem to do well
in my soil, hence the original reason for them being in
a large pot?
Any helpful advice would be most appreciated.

Answer 1

You can move a rhododendron any time that the ground isn't frozen. If I had my choice, I would move a rhododendron or an azalea either in the early spring or early fall.



That you fed and watered it regularly may be your problem. The rule for watering rhododendron and azaleas is to water thoroughly, but not frequently. Over-watering is as bad as under-watering. You have to determine how frequently you have to water. Automated watering systems are convenient but they usually dispense too much water. Any supplemental watering that you do has to be in consideration of any natural rainfall that you've had.



I would recommend that you go easy with the fertilizer. The nitrogen requirement is modest and it's easy to use too much fertilizer. Fertilizing is not necessarily an annual task.



The flower buds that are developing now will be the flowers for next spring. If you remove buds now --- there will be that many FEWER flowers next year.

Answer 2

The flower buds on rhododendrons form late summer for next year's flowers. You can leave the dead buds to fall off next spring all by themselves or you can remove them now if you do it very carefully - just take the tip and leave the new buds underneath.



I'm not sure what you have in mind when you say transplanting. Unless your soil is acidic, which it seems not, you need to keep it growing in a container of ericaceous compost. It will need repotting every other year though into fresh compost as ericaceous compost loses it's structure over time. This is best done in the spring when the rhododendron show signs of new growth. You can either put it in a bigger container or back into the same one if you cut the roots back to fit. One thing to remember is that they are shallow rooting and should not be planted too deeply. Also make sure to mulch and water well from July onwards each year for the following year's flowers. Water with rain water rather than tap water and use pine needles as a mulch to keep the acidic levels up. If you do all of this then hopefully your rhododendron will reward you with flowers each year for many years.

Answer 3

Whether the plant is being moved to another pot,or being transplanted into the garden it requires an ericaceous growing medium.Use ericaceous compost for re potting,work lots into the planting hole if planting out.

Water well with a solution of sequestered iron,readily avaiable from nurserymen.This will provide a boost and encourage flowering.Leave the existing buds in position to flower next year.The Autumn is perfect for moving plants,including rhododendrons, a semi shaded positiin is best.

Answer 4

The buds that grew this summer and are on the plant right now are next year's flowers. If you remove them, you will have no flowers next spring.



You can go ahead and transplant now, it should be going dormant for the winter soon,

Answer 5

Best time to transplant is when they are dormant. I don't know why your plant isn't doing well. Rhodys in general like well-drained, acidic soil. They won't be happy in a poorly drained soil.