When Should I fertilize my Azalea and What type of fertilizer should I use?
Azalea's such as Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea grow best if they are fertilized once in the spring. Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea favors nutrient rich soil and ample fertilization. When selecting a fertilizer for your Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea, use a balanced fertilizer blended specifically for shrubs such as Espoma Holly Tone for example its also a good idea to acidify the soil using Espoma soil acidifier once a year to maintain a "sour" environment for your azaleas. See "Using coffee grounds with your Azaleas" further down this page. Our ideal fertilizer schedule for azaleas is to apply an early spring fertilizer with a product such as Espoma Tree-tone or Plant-tone at the recommended rate this will give the plant a boost of nitrogen that will be needed for healthy abundant foliage. Follow this up with a early summer application of Espoma Holly-Tone, this will provide the necessary nutrients and raise the acid level in the soil which Azaleas favor. Espoma products are easy to use, just sprinkle around the base of the plant and water it in. Be careful with products such as miracle-grow as these products can burn newly planted plants when not used at the recommended rates. Slow-release fertilizer can help prevent rapid sucker growth that is vulnerable to diseases and insects. Either chemical fertilizers or organic matter can be used successfully on Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea. Since an organic method of applying manure and/or compost around the roots, produces excellent results and also improves the condition of the soil, this would be an excellent first line of attack. Organic additions to the soil can also be combined with a shot of chemical fertilizer for maximum effect. If chemical fertilizers are used on your Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea, applying a slow-release, balanced fertilizer once a year in the spring is probably the simplest solution. There are many slow-release fertilizers on the market. If you can find a fertilizer formulated for acid loving shrubs and trees, this fertilizer would work well on Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea. However, slow-release is certainly not the only way to fertilize Azaleas such as Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea although truth be told I feel its the best. A less expensive fast release fertilizer such as a 15-15-15 will work just as well if applied twice during the growing season in the spring and again in mid summer. If you are looking for a fertilizing routine tailored to your specific conditions, a soil sample should be taken and the fertilizer and trace elements matched to the needs of your soil. Don't fertilize Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea after August in the North. Fall is the time for Azaleas to begin preparing for dormancy. Fertilizing at this time may stimulate new growth that will be too tender to withstand the winter. In the South, a late summer into September application would be about right. As mentioned one spring application of a balanced fertilizer should more than suffice. The amount of chemical fertilizer used per plant will vary with the size of the plant and it's root system. Over-fertilization can be much more detrimental than under-fertilization especially on azaleas. "Fertilizer burn" can occur when too much fertilizer is applied, resulting in a drying out of the roots and damage or even death of the rose.It is much, much better to err on the side of too little fertilizer than too much. When roots are burned, the first sign is often scorched looking leaves. If over-fertilization is severe, the plant may just wilt and die. Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea is very easy to grow however it may be helpful to know that a very small plant which is planted in the ground will take about 1/8 - 1/4 cup of espoma organic shrub-tone fertilizer. When fertilizing Azaleas in containers, be careful to apply a fertilizer that will not burn the roots (such as a slow release or a liquid fertilizer). A very large shrub azalea in the ground will take 2 - 3 cups spread around the drip line of the branches (not next to the trunk). This is a very loose estimate, so please read the directions on the fertilizer before applying it. Never fertilize a plant with a chemical fertilizer if the plant looks sick or wilted. If a plant is struggling due to a disease or root problems, the fertilizer will only add stress to it's life. Try to cure the problem before adding fertilizer. For a totally organic approach, many gardeners use commercial manure on the soil around azaleas such as Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea. Excellent results have been reported after using composted manure. Commercial manure or compost can be applied yearly around the base of the azaleas. As with chemical fertilizers, do not apply it right next to the trunk or stems emerging from the ground. Azaleas thrive in soil with a pH from 4.5 to 6.0. Soil should drain well, because waterlogged conditions encourage disease development and may result in plant drowning. When soil pH rises and become too alkaline, azaleas cannot absorb adequate iron and experience chlorosis, or yellowing of plant tissue due to poor nutrient intake. Although azaleas prefer acid-forming fertilizers, such as 15-5-15, blindly applying fertilizer to unchecked soil may result in disaster.
A short course on fertilizers: When looking at most fertilizers, they are described by three numbers on the bag. An example would be 10-10-10 or 12-4-8. The first of these three numbers refers to Nitrogen, which is the primary element necessary for good, balanced growth within the plant. Plants that are deficient in Nitrogen are usually not growing vigorously, and sometimes exhibit pale colored foliage. Not all Nitrogen deficiencies result in stunted growth. Sometimes, the growth is taller and longer with less than desirable branching when Nitrogen is deficient. The second number in the fertilizer equation is representative of Phosphorus. A deficiency of Phosphorus may affect the energy transfer in the plant, and result in stunted growth as well. Also, plants with insufficient amounts of Phosphorus may have poorer root systems. Potassium is the element represented by the third number on the fertilizer bag. Plants that are deficient in Potassium, are usually growing more slowly than normal, have fewer flowers and seed, and are more susceptible to disease than plants with adequate levels of Potassium. Although the three elements just mentioned are the major elements necessary for good plant performance, there some minor elements that are just as important in consideration of Azalea nutrition. Minor elements that are not included in the three numbers listing on the front of fertilizer bags are very important considerations when choosing your fertilizer. Elements such as Magnesium, Sulfur, Calcium, Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Boron, and Molybdenum play very important roles in providing plants with adequate nutrition. Many times, less expensive fertilizers are sold that contain only the major elements needed, but not the minor elements. Always be sure to look on the fertilizer label on the back of the bag to see exactly what is included in the fertilizer. In choosing the basic type of fertilizer for your Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea, it is important to determine what you need your plants to do. If your plants are well established, and you are not concerned about more growth, choose a fertilizer that has a smaller first number, and a larger second and third number. When you have selected your fertilizer and are ready to apply it, be sure to rake your mulch back to the drip line of each plant being careful to not disturb the fragile "feeder" roots. Apply the fertilizer according to the label directions immediately on top of the soil, and be sure to water the plant thoroughly after the application. You can then rake the mulch back around the base of the plants. Although it is tempting to spend less time by not raking the mulch back during fertilization, the results will be less than desirable, if the fertilizer is applied on top of the mulch. Proper fertilization of your Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea will lead to healthier and more disease resistant plants, as well as provide you with many more enjoyable blooms. Always, read the label on your fertilizer bag, and follow the instructions.
Using Coffee grounds with Bloomathon Double Pink Azalea: Coffee grounds that have already gone through the brewing process are considered moderately to highly acidic. Coffee grounds provide a natural means of maintaining the low pH levels azaleas prefer, particularly if alkalinity is a concern. However, soil pH has a tendency to change because cultural conditions change daily. For the most accurate results, home gardeners should retest their balanced soil with an at-home soil pH kit immediately before applying amendments. If soil is already at the lowest end of the acidity range, the use of coffee grounds is unnecessary. However, if pH has risen, the grounds help decrease that number. In addition, coffee grounds may help suppress fungal plant diseases, according to the Washington State University Puyallup Research & Extension. Because applying coffee grounds to the soil beneath azaleas is not yet a specific science and because the texture may be too heavy and compact for use on soil, gardeners should consider adding it to compost instead. However, "the Environmental Protection Agency suggests adding no more than 25 percent volume coffee grounds" to compost, notes Purdue University Extension Horticulturist B. Rosie Lerner. Because azaleas thrive in soil mulched with organic content, such as compost, employing the use of coffee-laden mulch is a worthwhile venture. Gardeners should apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost onto the soil surrounding the azalea plant without pressing it against stems. Mulch conserves moisture and deters weed growth.
