Rhododendrons

bigyin · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 20

I have 2 one year old shrubs, should they be pruned and if so when ? thanks.

mountainy man · Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:15 pm Post subject:

as one year old plants they shouldn't need pruning unless for shaping/ framework branch development . i generally leave them alone to do their own thing , I dead head them so as not to alow then to set seed as I live beside a bog and dont want them to spread , they can be very invasive. if pruning is needed do it just after flowering to allow new shoots to ripen and mature before winter. hope this helps Smile

bigyin · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 20

Thanks for the info and advice, I will do as you suggest and leave well alone,

inishindie · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 9:34 am Post subject:

Hi

I was doing some woodland work at the St Columbs Park House Peace and Reconciliation centre in Derry a few years ago and one of the jobs was to clear a large area of woodland of rouge Rhododendrons that had spread over about twenty years. Some were too big to remove so they were hacked back really hard to stumps but all recovered and looked great the following year.

The Glenveigh Natioanl Park staff spend a lot of time clearing too, they go out with their tins of smoldering turf in tins to keep the midges off whilst they are working.

Keep an eye on them....... Smile

IrishYank75 · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 1:08 pm Post subject:

I have just purchased a rhododendron in a large pot. I would like to transfer it to the ground. Can someone tell me the best way to do this and how to prepare the soil? What is the ideal soil type and ph level for these?

robineire · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 4:46 pm Post subject: Some of the Roddies in my garden

I guess the soil and conditions (boggy) really suit rhododendron as they are thriving here in my garden in Connemara, I suppose the bushes here will be about 30 yr old and some are very large. Last year was a wonderful display that seemed to go on and on, when one bush finished flowering the one next to it started and the colours were brilliant.

My favourite one is a sort of orange/ pink

But I also love the white ones.

and the delicate pink

The other colours I have seen more often but they still look great

IrishYank75 · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 1:23 am Post subject:

I have heard that coffee grounds are good for rhododendrons. They are slightly acidic and add volume to the soil. Has anyone tried coffee grounds with these or any other type of plant? What was your level of success?