Rhododendron advice needed

I have a rhododendron here that I feel needs some TLC. I believe it to be healthy enough but something tells me that it could look even better when in full flower. I simply do not know what to do with it.

It is planted in ericacious compost, and the pot is about 2 feet across the top, so a pretty large pot. It has never been pruned as I do not know when or how. I think it has been fed once in over 3 years. It gets a good amount of sun and faces SE.

Should it be pruned and if so, when and is there any method in pruning, meaning, with roses you prune to an outward facing eye but with Rhodo's there is no eye. But when the flowers have died off there are new buds come out that never come to anything and I dont know if I should leave these buds or not?

What is the best feed and how often should it be fed?

Is its position best where it is?

Thanks

Nigel

 

You dont prune Rhodos as a rule, you will lose flowers that way, its a last resort really when they get too big for their space provided.
Yours looks OK to me.
The new buds at the base of the dead flowers are growth buds, these form the next flowers the following year, and bud up in the Autumn.

As to feeding, I think you need to up that a bit, once in three years is not much.

Best to feed during the summer when watering, use something high in potash, to get the flower buds forming, and never let it dry out.

 

Thanks for that info, at least I got something right in not pruning. I will look for a decent feed and feed according to instructions on the container. I will also ensure that it stays moist and not dry out.

Can I assume these instructions go for Azaleas as well?

Thanks

Nigel

 

We have a huge purple one which was hanging 6ft over a flowerbed. Must be very old. Anyway, I pruned off about 1/3 of it straight after flowering last year and it's formed much more upright growth at the back. I'll do the same this year to even it out a bit more still- but not too much at once I'm told.
Annoyingly, I don't have a photo of it in bloom!
We also have a dwarf red one which I will tidy a little after flowering this year.

 

Yes Nigel, they like similar conditions.

 

@Nigalius How long has it been in the pot? They do need potting on every two to three years. I give mine a good root prune and plant them back in the same container (the containers are approx 60cm across) in fresh compost. Every spring I give them a feed of slow release ericaceous feed (such as Miracle Gro which is enough for the year. Advice on feeding here.



I keep mine in a west facing position (underneath large trees so they get dappled sun) or in a north or east facing position. I wouldn't keep them in a position where they get a huge amount of sun all day as they don't fare as well in my experience.

When they have finished flowering you can deadhead them but be careful not to remove any of the new growth when you're doing it. Have a look here for more advice.

I find azaleas to be more tolerant of sun than rhodos.

Hope this helps