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AFTER PLANTING - Water every 7-10 days,
keeping the soil moist but not wet. Place the water hose at the base
of the plant an allow the water to run slowly on the plant, 6 minutes every
foot of plant height. For example a 2 foot tall plant would be watered
for at least 12 minutes.
PRUNING - Pruning is not required unless
you wish to shape the plant. If so the prune the plant within 30 days
after blooming. Pruning later will remove new flower buds that have
formed for next year.
BLOOM TIME - Most azaleas and
rhododendrons bloom for a period of2-4 weeks. In southern Illinois
this bloom time usually occurs around Mother's day. The "Encore"
series of azaleas will usually bloom in the spring and again in the fall.
FERTILIZING - Use
Fertilome Root Stimulator at the time of planting and the two more
times at two week intervals. Fertilize with
Fertilome Azalea Food just after blooming and again in 30 days, or
use cottonseed meal organic fertilizer at a rate of one pound per foot of
plant height. Never fertilize after July otherwise a late flush of
growth might be damaged by winter freezing. Do not work the fertilizer
into the soil. Apply fertilizer to the top of the ground and avoid
damaging the shallow roots of these plants.
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