Anybody knowledgeable about Rhododenrons?

I was wondering if someone might solve a slight puzzle to me. I bought a species Rhododendron (think it is Falconeri) about 12 years ago. My late uncle told me I'd probably be dead before it flowered (he was quite knowledgeable about them!) however it was sold to me as being 1 of the hardier varieties , it is, and I love it's huge leaves and indentum so not too fussed about a show of flowers but that would be nice.

3 years ago it had a solitary flower...great excitement and joy. No other flowers have appeared since, BUT this season we had a late frost and most of the new leaves which were just emerging were badly frosted (groan). I was walking past it yesterday and gave it a casual glance, to my utter amazement it is covered in flower buds, so it's as tho because the leaves were stunted the plant has put it's energy into producuing flower buds. My other reaction was that it might be getting ready to "leg up on me!" as I've heard of trees which have a wonderful display as their last hoorah.

Does anybody have any experience of this happening to their Rhodies or maybe can give me a logical explanation as to what has happened...maybe a pure coincidence. Looking forward to a wonderful display next Spring IF we don't get a bad frost! Thanks.

 

I don't know if this helps.

We bought a sizeable tortoise shell rhodo last year that had had frost damage (I got it reduced to half price) so despite covering it through the worst of the weather it only produced a few flowers this year. But I noticed yesterday there's a lot of buds on it, so I'm hopeful that it will be really magnificent next year, but in the meantime I'll keep an eye on the weather and cover it again if necessary.

 

Sorry but the buds you see will be leaf buds not flowering buds. Flowering buds will form in the spring. They are growing because the ground is damp and the tempreture's right.
There are a number of reasons why Rhodos don't flower. Poor soil, drought in summer, watering with tap water etc. You also will probably have to feed Rhodos with an Azealea/Rhoddo food. Roots are very shallow and on a mature plant will come to or break the surface so they need a mulch in the winter and summer for that matter to retain moister.
Frost can damage the flower buds. It's not the frost but the direct warm sunlight from the east which will thaw the buds too quickly. To be honest I have one that catches the morning sun but seems to cope with it ok.
Watering with tap water is a big no no. If the ground is too dry in the summer water with rain water and cover with a mulch.
hope this helps and good luck

 

Thanks Rob but I'm positive the buds are flower buds, with species Rhodies it is very easy to tell the difference. I have about 100 different types in my garden, most of which are hybrid. Sounds as tho I'm an expert/boasting, I'm not but have been growing them for over 20 year, however I'll eat the proverbial hat if what I see isn't flower buds. On Species Rhodies anyway the flower buds are much bigger than leaf buds and on this particular one the flower buds are covered with a brown outer layer (not fireblight or whatever it is called ) ie they are not looking as tho they will not develop,they are hard and "full" not flimsy, I know what flower buds which won't develop look like (unfortunately!)while the leaf buds are a very pale green...completely different. You are quite right about watering in most cases but I live in Scotland, not a drop of lime in our water, and on the odd occasion that I do have to water, our water comes from a spring with nothing in it whatsoever (lovely)...great with our most famous export..mines a large one!!!!

What I am describing is really quite weird, something I've never seen before in the 20 years I've been looking after these wonderful plants. Maybe I'll contact Peter Cox who owns the garden centre where I bought the plant from, he's written more books about Rhodendrons than I've had hot dinners! I hope I don't sound patronising that is not my intention at all, just hoping someone might have experienced the same as I have and can explain why. Thanks

 

There a difference between leaf and flower buds, the ones I mentioned are flower buds, there's also leaf buds on the same plant.

 

Hi Silu,
if you're growing over a hundred varieties I think you will be quite experienced.
You will have noticed that sometimes the rhodies do put on a good show in the autumn and it doesn't affect the spring / early summer show.
Sorry, I can't say why your Falconer took 12 years to flower.
I think maybe you just have to accept it is one of those things. More mysteries in heaven ----------- etc. It's one of them

 

Wow 100, you must have a big garden or a lot of big pots Silu!
What I have noticed over the last few weeks is that mine and particularly the potted Azaleas have had a spurt of growing much much faster than normal.
A combination of the weather and feed kicking in spouse......

 

Edinburgh botanic gardens have a huge collection of rhododendrons over the 4 gardens so i'd have a look into some of there open days/talks and see whether there's any specialists around =]

http://www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/rhododendrons