Rhododendron Melrose Flash

Plant Rhododendron 'Melrose Flash' in a sunny or semi-shaded position, protected from cold and drying winds, in a cool, humus-bearing and light soil with an acidic tendency. Like all plants that prefer acid soil, it cannot tolerate chalky or heavy soils that become waterlogged in winter. Dig a hole three times larger than the pot. Soak the root ball in non-chalky water and plant the bush at collar level in a mixture composed of 1/4 turf, leaf compost, gravel or pumice, and loam. Water thoroughly and keep the soil moist in summer. Azaleas and Rhododendrons have a shallow root system, so they are susceptible to long periods of drought. Therefore, it is recommended to enrich the soil with humus and water abundantly during dry periods. Additionally, their root system is not very strong, so it is essential to lighten heavy soils with draining materials (gravel, pumice, clay pellets) when planting. Apply a mulch of shredded pine bark around the base of the bush every spring to maintain soil moisture and acidity. Maintenance involves removing faded flowers in summer and pruning dead branches. Azaleas and Rhododendrons can sometimes be attacked by weevils that eat the edges of leaves and rootlets, as well as the infamous "rhododendron beetle" that rarely causes significant damage. You can treat them with carbofuran. Yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis) in Rhododendrons indicates poor iron assimilation in the soil and can lead to premature death of the plant. While lime is often the cause, poorly drained soil or a deeply planted root ball can also explain the phenomenon.