News Article for March 30, 2009:
Azaleas have had a great blooming season. In my landscape the last set of rains pretty much finished up the blooms except for one late blooming variety.
Once your azaleas have finished blooming it is the proper time to prune. It is not necessary to prune azaleas yearly but if they are outgrowing their intended space it becomes necessary.
First, timing is critical. The buds for next year’s blooms form in the spring of this year. The sooner you prune after blooming the less chance you have of cutting off next year’s blooms. It is also much cooler to prune in April than it will be in May and beyond.
Next, do not shear the azaleas into a boxed hedge. You do not want to destroy the natural form of the plant. Prune from within the center of the plant to reduce height, taking out the tallest branches. This will reduce the height and width and still maintain the natural shape.
Azaleas are shallow rooted so they will benefit greatly from mulching. Mulching will help to retain moisture. It is also important to provide adequate water during extended dry periods.
One of the biggest problems with new plantings of azaleas relates to soil pH. Azaleas are an acid loving plant. Recommended soil pH is 5.0 – 6.0, with 5.0 to 5.5 being ideal. Our native soils are usually ideal but many of the new homes have brought in soil to build up for the house pad and sometimes results in a pH that is too alkaline for azaleas to thrive.
Spring is also a good time to fertilize azaleas. You can use an azalea-camellia fertilizer or a general purpose ornamental slow release fertilizer. Just follow the recommendations on those specialty fertilizers. Another approach is to use an 8-8-8 fertilizer at the rate of a half cup (4 ounces) per square yard of bed area (3’x3’).
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I had suggested that you wait until April to fertilize your warm season lawn grasses or until you had cut them at least 2 times. I will be cutting the grass for the second time at my house this week. I cut the winter weeds earlier but that doesn’t count.
You can use your favorite brand of fertilizer but make sure you follow the instructions carefully when applying to insure the proper rate. This is even more important if your fertilizer is a weed and feed, since the rates are actually calibrated for the weed control component. If you over apply you can burn your lawn and if you under apply you will not get the desired result.
Another approach is to use a complete fertilizer such as 8-8-8 or 13-13-13. For warm season grasses the rate of 8-8-8 is 6 pounds per 1000ft² and the rate of 13-13-13 is 4 pounds per 1000ft². In granular fertilizers it is helpful to know that 1 pint = 1 pound.
Apply the fertilizer to a dry sod and then water it in.
For additional information on these or related topics contact Kenny at 225-686-3020