How to Grow Azalea

Choose a spot in the garden with semi-shade and that gets protection from the harsh afternoon sun.  Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well.

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots.

Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it's needed most. Water in well.

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the main stem.

Feed every 1-2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Choose a pot at least 600mm wide. Position in semi-shade and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots.

Position in hole and backfill, gently firming down. Water in well.

Feed every 1-2 weeks with Yates Thrive Roses and Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

For garden-planted Azaleas, apply Yates Thrive for Roses & Flowers Natural Organic-Based Pelletised Plant Food. For potted Azalea apply Yates Thrive Natural for Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Azaleas prefer acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.0. Check the soil pH and if it is too high (alkaline)  apply Yates Soil Acidifier Liquid Sulfur.

Prune immediately after flowering finishes - this is usually in late spring. Some varieties bloom over many for months so it's important to be patient.

Azaleas are prone to the fungal disease Azalea Petal Blight that attacks Azalea flowers turning them into brown mush

To prevent Azalea Petal Blight only water in the morning, only water the soil/potting mix and avoid wetting the flowers.

Just before the flower buds open, start spraying Yates Mancozeb Plus Garden Fungicide and Miticide - this is particularly recommended prior to the onset of wet weather.

The most common cause for silvery or brown leaves is from Azalea Lace Bug attack. These are small pests found on the underside of leaves alongside black blobs of poo.

Spray with Yates Advanced Garden Insect Killer.

To promote pest and disease resistance and resiliency keep plants well watered and feed with an organic-based fertiliser such as Yates Thrive Natural for Roses & Flower Organic Based Pelletised Plant Food.

If there is a strange fleshy growth on the leaves or the tips of your Azaleas stems, this could be caused by Azalea Leaf Gall. It's often found after wet, humid and cool weather. It does not need treating, simply prune off and place into the rubbish bin. Avoid overhead watering and only water in the morning when necessary.

Yellowing leaves can indicate a nutrient deficiency. The first step to take is to do a pH test on your soil to see if pH is correct. Azaleas like to grow in acidic soil and if the pH is too high, certain nutrients such as iron are unavailable to the plant for uptake. To lower the pH, apply Yates Sulfur Soil Improver Granules to the soil.

Azaleas can also become magnesium deficient and many people apply Epsom salts to the soil to help correct the deficiency. However, it can be difficult to get the rate and concentration right. Instead, we recommend mixing and applying Yates Leaf Greener Magnesium Chelate Fertilser to your Azaleas.