Open AccessInfluence of Fertilizer Application Timing and Rate on Azalea Bloom
Author(s) -
Julie Fulenwider,
David Creech
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
hortscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.518
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 2327-9834
pISSN - 0018-5345
DOI - 10.21273/hortsci.39.4.789b
Subject(s) - azalea , fertilizer , bloom , human fertilization , nutrient , environmental science , randomized block design , biology , fertigation , horticulture , agronomy , ecology
General guidelines for the fertilization of azaleas in Southern landscapes often suggest applications be made after bloom. Early fertilizations are thought to encourage earlier blooms which are more likely to be damaged by spring freezes. Three years of data will be presented. Treatments include four fertilization rates, and various times of application from early (December-January) to late (March-April). Four to six varieties were evaluated (depending on the year of the study) in the SFA Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden and in plantings on the Stephen F. Austin State Univ. campus. A randomized complete block design was utilized with three plants per replication. Influence of timing and rate of fertilizer application on bloom date and persistence. Influence of fertilizer treatments on leaf nutrient concentrations will be presented.