Sometimes plants in nurseries are forced into bloom so that they sell. When they are transplanted to a new location in natural conditions (not a nursery) they need some time to settle in, but it does not hurt to double check your conditions. Rhododendrons have few requirements but these few must be provided:
• The soil should have a pH between 4.5 and 6.0 (that’s acidic). Perhaps you should do a soil test. This would reveal nutrient deficiencies, too.
• The soil should be high in organic matter and well draining. Does your plant stand in a puddle when it rains? If so, the soil is not draining; you need to amend it–mix in lots of organic matter.
• Few rhododendrons do well in hot afternoon sun or south-facing locations. They prefer dappled sunlight or north or east locations.
Some would say that a 3-year-old plant is still settling in and–if conditions (above) are right–it will begin to bloom in the next year or so.
Sometimes plants in nurseries are forced into bloom so that they sell. When they are transplanted to a new location in natural conditions (not a nursery) they need some time to settle in, but it does not hurt to double check your conditions. Rhododendrons have few requirements but these few must be provided:
• The soil should have a pH between 4.5 and 6.0 (that’s acidic). Perhaps you should do a soil test. This would reveal nutrient deficiencies, too.
• The soil should be high in organic matter and well draining. Does your plant stand in a puddle when it rains? If so, the soil is not draining; you need to amend it–mix in lots of organic matter.
• Few rhododendrons do well in hot afternoon sun or south-facing locations. They prefer dappled sunlight or north or east locations.
Some would say that a 3-year-old plant is still settling in and–if conditions (above) are right–it will begin to bloom in the next year or so.