Repotting Rhododendrons?

I have recently purchased a large rhododendron (2*2).Thinking of repotting it in apeat based compost in a large pot. This is the first time i have tried to grow one, any ideas or tips. By the way i live in the north of England ?

Repotting Rhododendrons?
Have done this several times - they grow easily and need potting on every couple of years at least.





Get some ericacious compost and use a wide based pot - they like to spread their roots outwards - and a narrow pot will get blown over, as rhodies are quite dense and catch the wind easily.





Moisten the compost well, if possible, with rainwater - they don't respond well to limey water - and don't allow the compost to dry out. Rhodies will tolerate a semi shady position, but do require sun for part of the day at least.





Rhododendrons don't require pruning and they will grow too big for a pot eventually. However, they are fabulous shrubs and yours should give you much pleasure for a number of years.
Reply:Hey up


when you plant your rhododendron don't use a com post that's all peat you will kill it if i was you for the sake of £3 ish i would infest in a bag that's specially for shrubs they will advice you at the garden centre these plants are funny buggers they don't like change ..... oh by the way don't prune it you will kill it , they bleed , snap it off if you have to lose a bit
Reply:I once took a small wild Rhody plant from the local moors. It lived in a wooden tub I made approx. 18"x18"x 18" filled with peat. I used miracle grow on occasions to feed it but mostly it lived on the teapot being emptied into it more than once every day. It grew to a span of approx 10' dia. One year I counted, while dead heading, over 600 blooms. It was a fantastic plant. Unfortunately when I moved to a smaller house I let my sister have it, she neglected it and manage to kill it within a couple years. So forget the tea bags Craig, get the teapot out again :-)
Reply:good luck dont know each time ive tried they always die on me and i love the flower but cant seem to get one to grow each time they fail or im doing something wrong so ive given up
Reply:Rhododendrons need to be be potted in acid compost ... you need a pot with a wide top as these plants have a lot of surface roots
Reply:This sounds like it may get to be a big plant - so the bigger the better when it comes to the pot you put it in.....or you could plant it into the ground





You need specialist compost for rhododendrons - if the leaves ever start to look yellow ......its struggling and you need to give it some iron sulphate - you can buy this from a garden centre and it really makes a difference





They always do best when placed in a north facing spot - not full sun





good luck
Reply:Always use soil-based compost to pot big plants. This is because the soil does not dry out as quickly as peat-based composts and it is less susceptible to pests such as the dreaded vine-weevil. Another advantage is the weight of the soil which will ensure the pot will not topple over even in wind. The most important thing is to ensure that the compost is ericacious otherwise your Rhodo will not be happy at all. Finally make sure the pot is big enough and a guide for this is that you should be able to get your fist between the rootball and the edge of the pot. this will also allow you to plant the edges with seasonal bedding thereby extending the interest period of your pot.
Reply:As long as you give the plant a good soak (in a bucket of water for at least an hour), and use ericasious (think I spelt it right!) compost to re-pot, it should do well. Don't prune the plant though, just twist off the dead flower heads, and watch it grow!