Fertilizing azaleas: when, how & with what?

Even if the azalea does not have many requirements, it is happy to be fertilized every now and then. We show what you have to consider when fertilizing azaleas.

Basically the name is "azalea“A pretty vague term. The beautiful flowering plants are actually representatives of the genus Rhododendron (rhododendron). Which rhododendron species is considered an azalea and which is not depends on the leaves: Deciduous and small-leaved rhododendron species are known as azaleas. Incidentally, this also includes the local alpine rose (Rhododendron hirsutum). Some azalea species can therefore be kept outdoors, while the two species of pot azalea (Rhododendron simsii) and Japanese Azalea (Rhododendron japonicum) are particularly popular as indoor azaleas. So that your azalea - of whatever kind - remains in good health, you should definitely take a closer look at its fertilization.

Azaleas thrive in many parts of the world - and even in Germany. What unites them all is their love for humus. The plants are pronounced shallow roots. They spread their root network just below the surface, where the humus content is highest. In contrast to the subsoil, there is often a more acidic environment here, as the azaleas like it. So when fertilizing azaleas you should not only keep an eye on the nutrients, but also the pH of the soil and the humus content.

The right time to fertilize azaleas

From mid-April it will be time to start the fertilizing season. Since long-term fertilizers are best suited for azaleas, they are also fertilized with them at this point in time. The nutrients are then continuously released into autumn. However, fertilizers with a long-term effect of less than four months should be applied a second time after flowering. However, you should not apply fertilizer during flowering itself and shortly afterwards.

The perfect fertilizer for azaleas

Long-term fertilizers in various forms are the best choice for azaleas in pots. There are various rhododendron fertilizers that are suitable for azaleas. Actually, however, it mainly depends on the nutrient concentration. This should be such that nitrogen and potassium are represented to the same extent. Phosphorus, on the other hand, should be a little less available. Also ours Plantura indoor & green plant fertilizer is ideally suited for azaleas and can be easily poured into the pot with the irrigation water. It consists almost exclusively of organic material and thus contributes to an active build-up of humus. In general, you should prefer fertilizers with organic content for azaleas and other rhododendrons, as humus is extremely important for these plants. If you have chosen a fertilizer that does not have a physiologically acidic effect, you should not forget to check whether the soil still has the correct pH value. If it gets too angry, you should take countermeasures.

Planted azaleas that do not have any nutrients deprived usually do not need any fertilizer at all. Simply put its withered flowers back at the azalea's feet. In this way, the flowers of the plant are converted into humus and the nutrients they contain can be reabsorbed by the plant. This can create a nutrient cycle.

Organically fertilize azaleas: Instructions for application

Our Plantura is for the organic fertilization of azaleas Indoor & green plant fertilizer best for. Shake the bottle before use and add 15 milliliters of the fertilizer to 5 liters of irrigation water. The sensitive roots of the plant are located just below the surface of the earth, in the top layer of the soil. The advantage of the liquid fertilizer is that the roots are not damaged or stressed and the plant still has valuable nutrients.

If azaleas are allowed to keep their own withered leaves and flowers as mulch around their roots, they only need fertilization in rare cases.

Since the acid content quickly falls short with organic fertilization, it is advisable to acidify the soil if necessary. This is easier than it sounds and you can confidently do without peat. Simply put a layer of needle litter or leaves, preferably oak leaves, on the soil above the root space. If this is not an option for aesthetic reasons, you can compost the leaves beforehand and distribute the deciduous compost. A layer of bark mulch is also simple and effective. Just like leaf and needle litter, this also protects the soil from drying out and promotes soil life and humus build-up.

Fertilize azaleas with blue grain and co

Azaleas can be fertilized with mineral fertilizers, but this is not optimal. Regardless of the problematic environmental aspects, they cannot make any contribution to soil fertility and humus build-up. And humus is the preferred habitat of azalea roots.

If you still want to use mineral fertilizers, then it is best to use rhododendron fertilizers. These have the right nutrient ratio and are also physiologically acidic, which is particularly important for azaleas in alkaline soils. In addition, fertilizers with a depot effect are advantageous as they provide the plant with a continuous supply of nutrients. This is better for the plant and at the same time protects the gardener.

You can also use blue grain, but caution is advised here. The nutrients in blue grain are high doses, which in the worst case can lead to overfertilization. The leaching of nutrients and the resulting risk to the groundwater are also serious arguments. Therefore, use highly concentrated fertilizers such as blue grain only sparingly. To maintain a long-term supply of nutrients, you need to use blue grain regularly.

Fertilize azaleas with home remedies

The most prominent example of the use of home remedies is certainly the Coffee groundswhich, due to its nutritional composition and slightly acidic effect, is ideal for azaleas.

If your tap water is soft and has only a small amount of lime, you can coordinate the cooking of potatoes with watering your azaleas from time to time. The cooking water is enriched with valuable nutrients and, when cooled, contributes to the health of your azalea.

Fertilize azaleas - in a nutshell:

• Fertilize from spring to autumn, not during the flowering period and shortly afterwards
• Long-term fertilizer is useful
• Nutrient content: nitrogen and potassium roughly balanced, less phosphorus
• Prefer organic fertilizers as they promote the build-up of humus. Humus is of great importance for azaleas
• Check the pH of the soil and, if necessary, acidify it with various organic substances