Chinese Azalea Oxydol

Rhododendron Oxydol can tolerate a sunny location unlike the Japanese Azalea, but its preferred exposure is partial shade. Plant it in ericaceous soil, moist but well-drained and especially non-chalky. During planting, make sure not to bury the root ball too deep, it should be at ground level. Water abundantly during dry periods, at least once a week for the first year. In spring, apply fertilizer for acid-loving plants. After flowering you can prune lightly to keep the plant neat, but it is not essential. Remove faded flowers to encourage new shoots. The Azalea has few diseases when well-established outdoors. It can be attacked by weevils that eat the edge of the leaves and rootlets, as well as by the famous "rhododendron beetle" which rarely causes damage. If the soil is chalky, if the plant is planted too deep or if the soil is poorly drained, the leaves may turn yellow.