response 1 of 15:

Feb 14 04:21 UTC 1998

The acid soil is important.  We have slightly alkaline soil, so you have to
add chemicals frequently to maintain acidity.  The nurseries will sell you
I think aluminum sulfate but iron sulfate is probably better for the soil if
you have a choice.  Rhododendrons grow well in New England.  I have given up
growing things that don't like our soil:  lost two chestnuts that need acid
soil and two dune chrries and two beach plums that need sandy soil and all
the fruit on two sand cherries rotted because it is too humid here.  It is
safest to grow things you already find growing here.  My neighbor planted
several azaleas and they all died, but if you work at it you can grow them
here.  I look forward to hearing about your first blossoms, but don't be
disappointed if the stress of transplanting delays them a year.

response 3 of 15:

Feb 14 16:02 UTC 1998

No, I'm saying that they need to have their soil acidified every year, and
the neighbor whose azaleas died had just moved in and did not know this.  The
climate is just fine for them.  We tried acidifying our chestnuts but the
leaves still turned yellow (chlorosis, a sign of insufficient iron which must
be involved in chlorophyll synthesis, and was not getting absorbed properly
because of the alkaline soil, which is why we tried iron sulfate).  But they
also need sandy soil (which I think tends to be more alkaline) and I don't
think that azaleas do.  Good luck, you might want to invest in just one to
start with.  

response 5 of 15:

Feb 28 19:56 UTC 1998

I found an article about rhododendrons...
They are the most popular woody plants in the U.S. Lots of variety in size,
shape and leaf color for shady gardens. Many, many shades and colors of
white, pink, red, purple, orange and even magenta. 
Flowers are frilly, plain, with narrow or broad petals, even bell/funnel or
saucer shaped flowers in different cluster styles.

Heights vary from one foot to ten feet tall. They go dense or airy (espalier
style - flat against a wall). Some are wimpy, some extremely hardy. There
are about 1000 species. Soil cannot be alkaline, MUST be acidic.
 
All azaleas are rhododendrons. They are all in that genus. More azaleas
are deciduous than rhododendrons.  Azaleas never have scaly leaves.
They can have hairs.   The biggest difference is that rhododendrons
generally have 10 stamens, while azaleas have 5. That's it.

Call the american Rhododendron Society if you have questions :
   (804-693-4433)

Rhododendrons continue to grow, even after 10 yrs. They bloom early, then
just stay green all year. SO pick a mix that bloom at different times.
Plant in groups for drama. They like SHADE. SHort blooming season.
Acidity in soil : pH4.5 to 6.5 (moderatley acid). Loam or sandy loam soil.
Plant near a house for protection.  Good drainage is essential.

Pinch off the growth bud (not flower bud) for denser growth. Water weekly.
Roots are shallow, fine and suffer easily. Mulch with bark chips or pine
needles. 

Fertilize in spring - before July 1 in any case, or new growth could freeze.
(Acidifying fertilizer like ammonium sulphate. DOn't use aluminum sulphate
 -  it can damage the plant.)

response 11 of 15:

Apr 6 22:38 UTC 1998

My yard is heavily shaded by oaks and hickorys.  This creates acidic soil,
and would seem to be a good environment for rhododendrons, so I've put a few
in.  I'm told you are better off with locally grown ones, because they are
more winter-hardy than ones grown in the south.  Got mine at cheap sales at
Franks and Kmart.  They are doing pretty ok.  For best results you are
supposed to protect them with burlap in the winter, if they are in an exposed
area.  I didn't, and during prolonged cold spells many of the leaves dried
up and turned brown.  One Azalea died.  The rhodos survived, but looked
sickly, and decided not to bloom that spring.  This winter I got a spray
bottle of plant protector stuff, that coats the leaves with some plasticky,
waxy stuff.  Sprayed them in the fall.  They look fine this spring.  I believe
they are pretty sensitive to dry spells--you can see their poor leaves getting
limp when they are thirsty or cold.  It could be that watering in the fall
and winter would help them survive the cold, too.

response 13 of 15:

Apr 26 05:31 UTC 1998

I applied "MIRACID" soil acidifier to my rhododendron and azalea today.

It's neither aluminum sulfate nor iron sulfate (sulphate?) .
It consists of : chelated iron, copper, manganese, zinc. Lots of nitrogen.
(from ammonium phosphate and Urea)
Phosphate from Ammonium etc.

All azaleas, camelias, rhododendrons, evergreens, hydrangeas, gardenias, 
dogwoods, orchids and ferns need acid conditions.... Hmm, more
uses for MIRACID..

response 15 of 15:

Nov 10 15:03 UTC 2010

    When we eventually get the huge Spruce trees removed
from the back of our house, I hope to plant a Rhododendron
there, which should like the acid soil they left behind.