There is an azalea that a nursery here told my daughter boooms all year and of course I don't remember the name, but thought you might know. I don't know how your trading goes or if we could buy some. They also said she could plant them now
They wanted $9.99 for a gallon container.
That may be a good price, but I told her to let me check with Daves first
Newbie, need to ask about plants and trading
I'm not that knowledgeable about azaleas, but you can always ask on this line who may have some for trade or even postage. The only thing that I ever heard about azaleas is that they take a little extra care. But then I do brugs and trop. hibs so I guess it depends on one's view.
Anne
I didn't know there was an Azalea that bloomed year round. Did some googling and found this site: http://www.encoreazalea.com/encore/stat_collection.cfm
Found only one Encore Azalea in Plant Files and one person who has it for trade: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/59858/
LorraineR--I, too, believe they have the Encore series of Spring and Fall-blooming azaleas. These should do well with minimal care in your area (amend your soil if it is not acidic, but I suspect it is..). You probably won't find these for trade, as they are patented, so, technically, we aren't supposed to propagate them, but I have purchased "reblooming" azaleas on Ebay for very little. They've done well, and bloomed their first year, but too soon to see if they will bloom as well as Encore. I wouldn't pay too much online, as you have no idea if they will be hardy. In my area, $9.99 for a gallon Encore azalea, assuming there is a replacement guarantee, would be a good price.
$9.99 a gal sounds like a great price to me also!
I know that one of the probs that I have in my area is that my soil is very alkaline (8.5). You may want to test your soil first. I think that azaleas to better in acidic (?) soil. So before you invest in too many of them you may want to do that.
Anne
you might be acidic in east texas lorraine with all of those pine trees.
The soil here is pretty acidic because of the pines. I usually rake up the pine needles and put that around the plants, but then you have to worry about getting too much. I've noticed there are some places we put them and the leaves turn a kind of red color and either die or just don't do anything.
We also had about 6 that we'd had about 5 years, beautiful every year, until this year and 5 of them just laid down and died. Can anyone tell me what happened, bugs maybe
Azaleas do very well in our area, I live a few miles south of LorraineR. I have a friend that lives at Holly Lake who has Encores and I have seen them bloom several times a year. They are still in patent or they would be cheeper in our area.
Would anyone by chance know what kind of soil is in my area (San Antonio)?
anaid, no where but texas would that question make much sense. i am curious to know myself what ya'll have down there. is the dirt sandy? as many times as i have been to san antonio i guess i have never looked at the dirt. just trying to find another margarita, i guess. lol
Ours is highly alkaline and sandy for about a foot then clay. Your local nursery or ag extension could likely answer that question.
Anne
I would guess anywhere pine trees grow, it's acidic, I just don't know anything else that makes it that way.
I do know east texas is kind of known for azaleas , Azalea Trails and all that stuff. And we have tons of pinef trees, so I guess getting those pine needles helps
The pine needles do not cause the soil to become acidic, the soil is acidic, so the pines will grow there. San Antonio is much sweeter.
Loraine,If your leaves turn red,most likely you have red spider mites.
Spider mites are extremely bad in dry weather.
Azaleas will not grow in akaline soil,no lime,cement or oyster shells.
I understand that pine needles at first are acid and after they break down they become alkaline due to the residue of potasium hydroxide.
I think other leaves and other organic matter make a soil acid.
I use a lot of coffee grounds.