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Garden Column for the Salisbury Post Darrell Blackwelder May 19, 2005
The profuse splash of azalea blooms across the county was fantastic this spring. This season’s unusual cool weather was perfect for springtime bloom. This profuse bloom has sparked much interest in care and maintenance of this Rowan County favorite. Below are questions I often receive about the plant. Question: When can I prune my azaleas? Answer: Since azaleas set their blooms in late summer, usually August, its best to prune them back until mid summer. A good rule of thumb for pruning this shrub is to have them pruned back by July 4th to enjoy blooms for next season. Question: May azalea leaves are turning yellow, and green speckled. They are growing fine but are not dark green and healthy like others in the bed. What can be the problem? Answer: I checked some azaleas last week at my neighbor’s home and they were completely covered with lacebugs. Lacebugs are very small, clear-winged insects that suck the sap out of the leaves making the leaves appear yellow specked and dusty. There will be small black specks on the back sides of the leaves where the insect has laid eggs and covered them with black excrement. Now is the time to control them with a spray of liquid Sevin. Be sure to spray thoroughly to reach the underneath sides of the leaves. Often, a second spray is needed to control the insect. Question: Is now the best time to fertilize my azaleas? Answer Yes. You can fertilize them now until August. Winter damage may occur if you fertilize them past August. These plants are not picky about what they eat. Regular 10-10-10 fertilizers will do, however, there are specialty fertilizers formulated just for azaleas that will increase bud set. Question: My azaleas don’t bloom as they should. What could be the problem? Answer: Azaleas are often planted in deep shade. While shade my help, azaleas need sun to set blooms. Filtered light is often best for azaleas, however, there are azaleas at the Historic Hall House in Salisbury that are doing well in full sun. A good rule of thumb for azaleas is sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon avoiding excessive heat. Question: I can’t get my azaleas to grow in this soil. How can I get them to grow here? Answer: Azaleas like well drained soil. Try planting azaleas in raised beds amending the soil with compost, ground bark and PermaTil. Peat moss is not recommended because it tends to hold excessive moisture. Blend amendments with the native soil so the plants can gradually adapt to these soils.
Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com, e-mail Darrell_Blackwelder@ncsu.edu
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