SOUTHEASTERN CHAPTER    AMERICAN RHODODENDRON SOCIETY
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  • HOME
  • About
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Renew or Join
    • Officers
    • History of SE-ARS
    • HELP: How to use our website
    • 2012 ARS/ASA Convention
    • Contact Us
    • Events >
      • Upcoming & Past Events >
        • Calendar View
      • Flower Show Information >
        • 2018 Flower Show
        • 2017 Flower Show
        • 2016 Flower Show
        • 2015 Flower Show
        • 2014 Flower Show
  • BRR
  • Info
    • Dexter Study Group >
      • Don Kellam
    • Plant Sources
    • "Good Doers"
    • How to plant and care for a rhododendron
    • Rhododendron diseases & pests
    • How to propagate rhododendrons
    • How to hybridize rhododendrons
    • Other rhododendron links
    • Rhododendrons for Upstate South Carolina
    • RhodoWeather
    • ARS Blog
    • Hooper Bald
  • Photos
    • 2019 ASA CONVENTION
    • 2020 Virtual Flower Show
    • New Hybrids
    • Submit Photos
    • 2015 Photo Contest
    • General Gallery
    • Featured Rhodos >
      • Red R. maximum
      • R. hyperythrum
  • Members
    • Join or Renew >
      • Mail Application
    • Plant Payment
    • Gardens
    • JOURNAL ARS
    • Custom Search
    • SE-ARS Board Minutes (log in)
    • SE-ARS Member and Assoc Roster (log in)
    • Treasurer's Report 2016-23 >
      • Treasurer's Reports 2015 (log in) >
        • Treasurer's Reports 2014 (log in)
    • SE-ARS Meeting Minutes
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RHODODENDRON BOOKS

How to plant and care for a rhododendron:

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The most critical requirements for growing of rhododendrons are adequate drainage and adequate but not excessive water.

A method of planting and establishing rhododendrons, used by one SE-ARS member in upstate South Carolina:    
Plant preferably in fall/early winter (September-December).   Select a site where there is good drainage and partial (not full) shade.   Clear at least a 5 foot area around planting site of weeds, saplings, etc.    Mark site in advance with surveyor’s flag.    Deposit 2 x 5 gallon buckets of partially composted pine bark (aged bulk pine bark, or bagged “soil conditioner” ) over site.   Add a small handful of superphosphate (0-45-0) over the bark.   Till the bark into the soil, by hand or using a small tiller such as a Mantis, over an approximately 2 foot diameter area.    Add a roll of newspaper into the perimeter of the planting site if it is far from a watering source (serves as a moisture reservoir during dry periods).   Plant the rhodo, which has been previous watered,  in the soil-pine bark mix, after freeing up its roots (see U-tube video from Rare Find below).  The resulting mound should be elevated several inches above the adjacent soil level.   This procedure applies to planting sites with some slope and a woodland type soil.   If the site is flat or the soil is predominantly clay, use  at least double the amount of pine bark so that the entire root system is above grade, and consider planting entirely above ground, in a raised bed or surrounded by logs to keep the pine bark medium in place.   Do not fertilize site until early spring, with a very light (half recommendation) of slow release fertilizer.  Inorganic fertilizers may consist of slow release formulations of ammonium phosphate/urea.  Avoid high nitrogen levels, which may cause the plant to outgrow its root system.  “Bloom booster” formulations with low nitrogen and high phosphorus may aid root growth and bloom set for the next year without producing excessive vegetative growth; a similar formulation with slow release ureaform nitrogen and ammonium phosphate can be found in "Lawn Starter" fertilizers.   Be sure to use inorganic fertilizers sparingly to avoid salt burn or overstimulation.   A semi-organic fertilizer could consist of cottonseed meal with superphosphate.   In subsequent years, fertilize very sparingly if at all, as plants are more likely to be harmed by excessive than by insufficient fertilizer.    Fertilize only in early spring, not summer or fall.   Water during dry periods for the first three years; later years will require less watering attention as a root system is established.
JHMcC



More tips on growing rhododendrons can be seen in the following links:
       General information on siting, planting and care:
       ARS Planting Guide


More on planting ,again stressing planting high with good drainage.
      New York Chapter ARS FAQ's   Explore this website for numerous tips on rhododendron culture. 

                   UTube video           See the late Hank Schannen, founder of Rarefind Nursery in NJ, creator of "Solidarity", and a past speaker at SE-ARS meetings.    Ron Rabideau  shows how to separate roots of a container-grown plant when planting.





Fraser South Chapter ARS   Article on pinching and deadheading, from Harold Greer's Guide to Available Rhododendrons.
MULTIPLE CARE TOPICS FROM ARS (rhododendron.org)
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Southeastern Chapter of the  American Rhododendron Society.  
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