Date parsed: 6/3/2007 12:20:10 PM
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 11:20:10 -0500

I planted a large rhododendron in my semi shade planter.
Heavy humus, a drip system to keep it slightly moist.
Added appropriate rhododendron food once a week as per instructions.

Most of the gorgeous blooms are dropping now.

My question is, do you prune the stems of the petals, those little spikes
left after the petals fall?

Or more correct question maybe:
What kind of care should I give now?
As some of the woody branches are hanging slightly, can I control the shape
of the shrub by supporting those branches?

Please and thank you.

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Bill H. in Chicagoland
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Date parsed: 6/3/2007 8:49:49 PM
Date: Sun, 3 Jun 2007 20:49:49 -0600

Tomes said:

> "Eggs Zachtly"...
>> FireBrick said:
>>> Or more correct question maybe:
>>> What kind of care should I give now?
>>
>> Prune it as you see fit, to the shape you desire, if it's done blooming.
>>
>
> OK, here's my question build on this. I have huge rhododendrons around my
> deck. I have in the past pruned them back but not too much after
> flowering ends. No problem there. My thing here is that I have been
> afraid to cut them back 'too much'.
>
> Is there such a thing as 'too much'? I would ideally like to cut them
> back to lower than on-the-deck head height and this might be cutting off a
> good third of the height. Will they branch out from old center wood?

If they're done blooming, cut them back. A third is fine. Thinning out the
center will allow better airflow to all parts of the exposed plant.

--

Eggs

Can you be a closet claustrophobic?

Date parsed: 6/4/2007 7:19:07 AM
Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2007 01:19:07 GMT

"Eggs Zachtly"...
> FireBrick said:
>> Or more correct question maybe:
>> What kind of care should I give now?
>
> Prune it as you see fit, to the shape you desire, if it's done blooming.
>

OK, here's my question build on this. I have huge rhododendrons around my
deck. I have in the past pruned them back but not too much after
flowering ends. No problem there. My thing here is that I have been
afraid to cut them back 'too much'.

Is there such a thing as 'too much'? I would ideally like to cut them
back to lower than on-the-deck head height and this might be cutting off a
good third of the height. Will they branch out from old center wood?
Thanks,
Tomes

Date parsed: 6/6/2007 4:27:07 AM
Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 04:27:07 -0600

Tomes said:

> "Eggs Zachtly" ...
>> Shecki said:
>>>Eggs Zachtly :
>>>> Tomes said:
>>>>> "Eggs Zachtly"...
>>>>
>>>>>> Prune it as you see fit, to the shape you desire, if it's done
>>>>>> blooming.
>>>>
>>>>> OK, here's my question build on this. I have huge rhododendrons
>>>>> around my
>>>>> deck. I have in the past pruned them back but not too much after
>>>>> flowering ends. No problem there. My thing here is that I have been
>>>>> afraid to cut them back 'too much'.
>>>>
>>>>> Is there such a thing as 'too much'? I would ideally like to cut
>>>>> them
>>>>> back to lower than on-the-deck head height and this might be cutting
>>>>> off a
>>>>> good third of the height. Will they branch out from old center wood?
>>>>
>>>> If they're done blooming, cut them back. A third is fine. Thinning out
>>>> the
>>>> center will allow better airflow to all parts of the exposed plant.
>>>>
>>> Be aware that next years flowers are currently buds at the base of
>>> this years flowers.
>>
>> Not true. The buds for /next/ year's blooms haven't formed yet. They
>> form
>> on this season's growth, but they don't "form at the base of this years
>> flowers". And, they don't form until late summer/fall.
>>
>> It also depends on the species. Large-leaf Rhodos don't have dormant
>> buds
>> below the new growth. Cutting past the new growth will keep it from
>> flowering next season, but will rebound nicely the second year after
>> pruning. Small-leaf Rhodos can be pruned at any point along the stem.
>>
>>> If you choose to prune them, no flowers next year.
>>
>> Again, it depends on the variety, and how drastically they're pruned.
>> For
>> the OP, with a Rhodo that is much larger than desired, it's probably a
>> good
>> idea to forgo blooms for a season, to get the plant "under control".
>>
>> You can cut a Rhodo completely back to the ground, with no leaves left,
>> and
>> it will come back.
>>
>
> Yep, I have trimmed off portions of branches on these plants and have the
> new branches produce flowers the following year. I just have not done so
> as drastically as I might just do this year. It is almost time.
>
> This bit: "You can cut a Rhodo completely back to the ground, with no
> leaves left, and it will come back." is very comforting. It gives me some
> wiggle room <grin>.
> Thanks,

You're welcome. Good luck. And, be patient about the blooming next season.
Make sure that you thin out the older, dead wood from the center. Good air
circulation will do wonders for them. =)

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Eggs

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