Rhododendron not blooming why

Rarely is inadequate care intentional. They will be able to offer insight and tried and true methods to help you get your rhododendron to bloom, if not this season, then the next. Checking the growing environment and the quality of the soil is a great place to start, and then moving on to educate yourself about your plant.

Many types of rhododendrons skip a year and then bloom again the next. This skipping typically has to do with a large or heavy bloom from the year before, and the plant needs a year to rest. This is common and nothing to worry over. Rhododendrons can be replanted if necessary. Give them enough space and time to establish themselves. Refusing to become frustrated with your rhododendrons is the first step in rectifying a non-blooming situation. The leaves of the rhododendron can often tolerate the frost but the flower buds are still vulnerable.

However in climates that experinece freezing temperatures in Winter it is a good idea to plant or transplant your rhododendron in a relatively sheltered area of the garden such as under a tree in a corner with some protection. Rhododendrons that are out in a open area are at higher risk of suffering frost damage to their flower buds. You can also mitigate some damage with the use of horticultural fleece to protect flower buds before a late frost occurs, however I find it is more practical to find a sheltered planting area for your rhododendron.

Rhododendrons requires well draining yet moist soil to grow and flower. If the soil is too dry then the plant is stressed and the flowers buds do not open in the Spring.

If your rhododendron has suffered significant drought stress then it may not flower this year however this can be easily addressed so that it flowers well the following year.

The solution is to add a layer of mulch around the rhododendron to help conserve water, add nutrients to the soil and improve the soils structure. Apply a 1 inch thick layer of compost, leaf mould or well rotted manure to the surface of the soil around the rhododendron.

Organic materials such as compost, leaf mould or manure have an exceptional capacity for retaining water which helps to keep the roots cool and the rhododendron hydrated so that it can flower. Ensure that the soil stays consistently moist throughout the growing season so the plant can flower by testing the soil to a fingers depth to detect moisture.

If the soil is beginning to dry out, give the rhododendron a generous soak to ensure it stays hydrated and to encourage the roots to establish in the soil. With careful monitoring and watering when required and an application of mulch in the Spring the rhododendron should have the resources to display flowers. Rhododendrons require acidic soil to grow and flower properly.

If the soil is neutral or even alkaline then this can stress the rhododendron causing it not to flower and can potentially kill the plant. Rhododendrons thrive in acidic soil that is between pH 4. If your plant set buds, but didn't bloom , the buds were probably frost-nipped or destroyed by cold, drying winds. Among problems of rhododendron , not blooming is one of the easiest to cure. The usual suspects when rhododendrons fail to bloom are dense shade, drought or overfertilization.

Rhododendrons have suffered from drought in recent years , because they prefer to be constantly moist. In spring, the plants use large amounts of water for new growth and flowers. Cover each container with a clear, plastic bag to create a greenhouse effect and set them in a bright location out of direct sunlight. Are coffee grounds good fertilizer for rhododendrons?

Lower Soil pH It's always a good idea to add coffee grounds to compost, but mixing it directly into the soil can help balance alkaline soil or give a boost of acidity for plants that prefer a lower pH, like hydrangeas or rhododendrons. How do you bring a rhododendron back to life? The shrub prefers the afternoon shade. Check the soil for moisture. Scrape the branch slightly with a knife to see if there is any green colored layer under the bark. Check the rhododendron for fungus disease.

Check if the leaves look yellow with a green vein. How do you revive a dying rhododendron? Prune away any dying tissue. Spray the leaves and stem of your rhododendron plant with insecticides. Move your rhododendron if you think it may be getting direct afternoon sunlight.

Change your rhododendron's soil if you believe it retains too much water.