I planted a small azalea plant. It was in bloom at the time. We are in central Florida, Lakeland to be exact. It is planted where it will be in shade part of the day. We did not test the soil, but a geranium does well there. The pretty pink blossoms have all become a rusty color and are dry. Should I deadhead them, and if so, where on the stem should they be deadheaded?
Wait after blooming has stopped before pruning your azaleas. This article may help you if you have not read it: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/pruning-azaleas.htm
Also, the plant may have rust. This article will help you with your rust problem: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/learn-about-plant-rust-disease-and-rust-treatment.htm
Azalea flower damaged by frost. Will it bloom again this year?
Likely not. Some varieties can, but the majority only bloom once a year and if the blooms are damaged, they will not bloom again that year.
Please can you tell me how to treat my azaleas, as the leaves have changed and look silvery.
This could be from mites or lacebug. I would suggest using neem oil. It is safe and effective for treating pests like these. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/azalea-lace-bug.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/red-spider-mites.htm
I have two azaleas five feet apart from one another. My smallest one has brown spots on the leaves and they have now made way to my second azalea, which is much older and has never had brown spots. What causes this and how can I treat it?
It sounds like it has a fungus, which can be treated with a fungicide and that should help. If you can spot other indicators of a problem, we can give you more precise advice on how to treat it.
This plant does not seem to be doing much at all, still alive and green but no flowers. Would this plant be happier in a pot or should I move it to a less sunny place. In the summer, the spot it is maybe a bit too sunny in July and August. Please advise.
Thank you, Pam Cook
There are alot of reasons that a plant may not bloom, but in your case, I would look to nutrients, especially if it is planted near your lawn and you fertilize. Lawn fertilizer is high in nitrogen, which makes for healthy green plants but also reduces the amount of blooming. Try adding some bonemeal around the azalea to add some phosphorous. This will help balance out the nitrogen and will get it blooming again.
This article will have some other suggestions on why it may not be blooming:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-not-blooming.htm
I have several HUGE azalea bushes that are out of control and want to cut them back to a more managable size. But, I don't want to kill them by cutting back too much. These bushes are 6 to 7 feet tall and I would like them half that size. Any suggestions would be very appreciated! Thanks! :)
Overgrown shrubs can be cut back by a third. Any pruning should be done prior to July in order to have blooms next season. Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/pruning-azaleas.htm
The branches on my bush have a green type mold on them. Also, there are what appears to be black bubbles on the branch. Can you tell me what to do with it?
The greenish mold is lichen and is commonly seen on stressed plants. It will not harm the azalea but is merely a signal that something else is going on with the shrub. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/fungus-lichen/treatment-tree-lichen.htm
As for the black on the branches, it is most likely either sooty mold or sooty canker. Here is more information on these diseases:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/tgen/tree-disease-identification-sooty-canker-fungus.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/how-to-get-rid-of-sooty-mold.htm