Azalea Fire Ball

Plant Azalea 'Fire ball' in full sun or partial shade, protected from cold and drying winds, in moist, humus-bearing and light soil with an acidic tendency. Like all plants that prefer acidic soil, it cannot tolerate limestone soils or heavy soils waterlogged in winter. Dig a hole three times larger than the pot. Soak the root ball in non-limestone water and plant the bush at the level of the collar, in a mixture composed of soil, leaf compost, gravel or pumice, and loam. Water generously and keep the soil moist in summer. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a shallow root system, which makes them susceptible to long periods of drought. That's why it's recommended to enrich the soil with humus and provide abundant watering during drought periods. Additionally, this root system is not very strong, so it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, pumice, clay pellets) at planting. Apply a mulch of crushed pine bark around the base of the bush every spring to maintain soil moisture while preserving an acidic pH. Maintenance involves cutting off faded flowers in summer and removing dead branches. Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by weevils, which eat the edges of leaves and rootlets, as well as the infamous "rhododendron borer," which is rare, but can cause significant damage. Yellowing of leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendrons indicates poor iron assimilation in the soil and can lead to premature death of the plant. While limestone is often the cause, poorly drained soil or deep planting can also explain the condition.