We have had an excessively wet winter and early spring. Now we are excessively hot and dry.
Yes, rhododendrons can get leaf scorch. Some varieties take more sun than others but generally they like some shade and protection from wind.
Since you had a wet winter and early spring, the plant may have been overwatered, and now drought. Those kinds of stress factors can lead to leaf scorch (marginal leaf necrosis). Gray blight, a fungal disease, can set in after sun scald. Check out the extension sheet below and see if the photos for marginal leaf necrosis or gray blight resemble your leaves. In both cases, non-chemical management is suggested first. Prune out the affected branches. If the rhododendron is getting too much sun, it can be moved to a shadier location or other plants added that would shield it. Water when rain is not sufficient.
Here is more information:
http://hortsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/Search/MainMenuWithFactSheet.aspx?CategoryId=1&SubCatId=4&PlantDefId=32&ProblemId=525
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/rhododendron/rhododendron-care.htm
Will my broken branch off my rhododendron root if I place it in a glass of water?
You can propagate from cuttings.
This article will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/propagating-azalea-cuttings.htm
The location for the rhodo gets full shade until 2 in the afternoon; thereafter, it receives full sun until 6 or 7. Would this location be okay to play a rhodo next spring?
The conditions you describe are not the best for a rhododendron. Morning sun would be better and filtered sun in afternoon.
If that's the only space you have for it, then give it a go. The leaves can get sunburned, especially if not watered adequately. But don't keep the base of the plant too wet, as they are susceptible to crown rot.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/rhododendron/rhododendron-care.htm
Height can be about 1.2mts and spread approximately 1.5mts It will be at the front of my house in a 10cm raised bed with a prevailing wind from the west. Not been successful with Rhododendrons.
This article will help you find something that will work for your area. Some of the full sun options may not do their best but they can still grow just fine. Some are evergreen like Indian hawthorne, camelia and glossy abelia.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-9-10-11/zone-9-flowering-bushes.htm
Why is my Rhododendron not growing after being planted in my garden ?
That will be very hard to say with no details about the planting, pictures of the plant, or details about the area that you live in.
I can take a few guesses, though.
This can be attributed to a few things- Lack of fertilizer in the soil can cause slow growth, as can over and underwatering. Disease can stop growth, as well as insect damage.
What I can do for now is put an article, here, that will help you to know what they require for care: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/rhododendron/rhododendron-care.htm
when should you deadhead rhododendrons?
If you want seeds, then you should not deadhead them. This will kill off any forming seeds. When seeds pods are ripe and starting to drop seeds, then you can collect and deadhead.
The Rhododendron Society offers some insight into germinating seeds: https://www.rhododendron.org/v48n1p10.htm
This article will help you with the care of the shrub: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/rhododendron/rhododendron-care.htm
I planted 2, one each side of my driveway. The other one is okay; they have both flowered this year.