TIPS FOR GROWING HEALTHY AZALEAS

Azaleas love acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. When planting new azaleas, mix cottonseed meal and a 4-5-4 formulated fertilizer in with the soil to attain the optimal pH balance for your plants. For established azaleas, apply cottonseed meal around the drip line of the plant in early spring and early fall. As an added bonus, the cottonseed meal will stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the soil, which will provide your azaleas with essential nutrients. To give the foliage that vibrant, healthy shine, treat your azaleas with a 31-11-11 formulated liquid fertilizer once a month from May to August. Always remember that the azalea’s roots are very susceptible to cold, and should be covered in mulch in late autumn to protect them from the harsh winter chill.