Azalea japonica Ho Oden

Plant the Japanese Azalea Ho Oden in partial shade, protected from cold and drying winds, in fresh, humus-bearing and light soil, with a tendency towards acidity. Like all plants that prefer acidic soil, it cannot tolerate limestone or heavy soil that becomes 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 base level in a mixture composed of 1/4 turf, 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. Therefore, it is recommended to enrich the soil with humus and provide abundant watering during dry periods. Additionally, their root system is not very strong, which is why it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, pumice, clay pellets) during planting. Apply a mulch of crushed pine bark around the base of the bush every spring to maintain soil moisture and acidity. Maintenance involves removing faded flowers in summer and clearing away dead branches. Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by weevils, which eat the edges of the leaves and rootlets, as well as by the infamous 'rhododendron beetle', which rarely causes significant damage. You can treat them with carbofuran. Yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendrons indicates poor assimilation of iron in the soil and can lead to premature plant death. While limestone is often the cause, poorly drained soil or a deeply planted root ball can also contribute to this phenomenon.