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Repotting rhododendrons after flowering has its particularities; only by mastering the method can they survive well

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When choosing a pot, select a suitable pot according to the size of the plant, with clay pots being best; generally the pot diameter (inner diameter) should not exceed half the crown diameter. Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil, requiring a pH of 4.25-5.5; without maintaining this acidity, potted rhododendrons are very difficult to keep alive, and the potting soil must be loose, well-draining and rich in humus; never use heavy clay soil. When using soil, it is best to prepare it according to the original root-ball soil of the rhododendron; plants previously grown in pine-needle soil should still use pine-needle soil, which can be mixed with a small amount of decomposed horse manure and bone meal, and

When choosing a pot, select a suitable pot according to the size of the plant, with clay pots being best; generally the pot diameter (inner diameter) should not exceed half the crown diameter. Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil, requiring a pH of 4.25-5.5; without maintaining this acidity, potted rhododendrons are very difficult to keep alive, and the potting soil must be loose, well-draining and rich in humus; never use heavy clay soil.

When using soil, it is best to prepare it according to the original root-ball soil of the rhododendron; plants previously grown in pine-needle soil should still use pine-needle soil, which can be mixed with a small amount of decomposed horse manure and bone meal, and before use the pine-needle soil should first be moistened through with water; those grown in mountain soil should still use mountain soil. If a plant originally grown in pine-needle soil is given pine-needle soil, on the contrary, because of its overly strong water permeability, the outside of the original root ball will be wet while the inside stays dry, causing death; while if a plant originally grown in pine-needle soil is switched to mountain soil, the pine-needle soil easily remains moist for a long time, affecting root absorption and growth, and in severe cases causing part of the root system to suffocate and die, making the plant drop leaves, turn yellow, and stop new shoot growth. Rhododendrons are shallow-rooted plants, without a main root, with many fine fibrous roots mainly distributed in the upper-middle part of the potting soil, forming a felt-like mass that does not easily penetrate into deeper layers.

Therefore, when potting, first use 2 pieces of tile to form an "inward" shape covering the drainage hole, cover with a layer of coarse sand as a drainage layer, then gently cut away 1/3 of the old soil and dead roots from the plant's root ball, sprinkle a layer of potting mix on top of the drainage layer, then place the plant in the pot with the root ball kept about 3 cm from the pot wall, immediately fill the prepared potting mix into the gaps around it, press gently with a thin stick to firm it so the potting soil and roots develop, and finally water thoroughly, place in a semi-shady spot, and after half a month move to normal care.

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