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Azaleas
are a joy to see in any garden, but have you ever encountered
the frustrating problem of the leaves turning pale green to
yellow.
Many who have ever grown Azaleas will know that they like
an acid pH. pH is the measured alkalinity or acidity of a
soil. Most garden plants will require a pH of 6.5 - 7 for
strong healthy growth which is just on the acid side of neutral
(7). Azaleas on the other hand have special requirements and
like their soil pH to be approx 5.5 - 6. Other plants that
are compatible with low pH (5.5 - 6) are Camellias, Gardenias
and blue flowering Hydrangea.
Iron deficiency rears it's ugly head when soil pH
increases above 5.5. This is because Iron is more
available at a lower pH, and as the soil pH increases, it
becomes less available. If you have yellowing leaves on your
Azaleas at home it can be easily corrected. First step is
to ascertain that it is Iron that is deficient and not another
element. These are the specific symptoms:
a) Youngest/newest leaves become chlorotic (pale green to
yellow) where the veins stay green
b) Leaves sometimes curved or cupped upwards
c) Slower growth or stunted plants
d) Leaf drop and irregular stems dying
Using specially formulated Azalea fertilizers will start the
correction process. For Azaleas in gardens beds use Searles®
Azalea & Camellia Plant Food as per directions on the
packet. |
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Searles
Flourish® Azalea Camellia & Gardenia Food is excellent
for both plants grown in ground or in pots and containers.
Searles Flourish® is a soluble fertiliser and is best applied
at 2-3 week intervals, over the plant foliage and soaking
the soil surrounding the roots. Searles Flourish® Azalea,
Camellia & Gardenia Plant Food not only promotes healthy
growth of the plants, but it also contains chelated Iron,
which helps to overcome the Iron deficiency, and it will help
to acidify the soil, lowering the soil pH and promoting better
plant growth. |
For
stubborn or extreme cases of Iron deficiency, also use Searles®
Iron Chelate in conjunction with one of the other fertilisers
mentioned above. It can be applied to both the plant foliage
and the soil and is readily absorbed by the plant, even if
the soil pH is higher than desired.
Remember, whenever applying soluble fertilisers to avoid doing
so in the sun or in very hot days over 30°c. They are best
applied early mornings or late afternoons. When applying granular
fertilisers, moisten the soil beforehand and water in straight
afterwards.
Regular checks of pH will ensure problems like this one do
not resurface.
Happy Gardening with Searles from the Searle family.
© Copyright 2002 JC & AT
Searle Pty Ltd
You may make a copy of this Fact Sheet for your personal,
non-commercial use only. Please do not make any other use
of this Fact Sheet without first obtaining our permission. |
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