What Fertilizer Should Be Used for Encore Azaleas?

Groundwork

• Encore azaleas need nutrient-rich, well-draining, acidic soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5. Get a soil test kit, or take soil samples to your local agricultural extension office for testing to find the pH level of the soil at each planting site. Encore Azalea, the official website of this azalea variety, recommends amending the soil with organic compost before planting. If your soil is comprised of heavy clay, incorporate equal amounts of coarse sand and compost into the site to create adequate drainage for the Encore plants. Without suitable drainage, the plants will succumb to root rot.

Fertilizers

• Fertilizer allows Encore azaleas to reach their maximum blooming potential each year. The Encore Azalea website recommends choosing an evenly balanced azalea and camellia fertilizer, preferably in a slow-release, granular form. Specifically designed for acid-loving flowers, there are many brands available, both organic and synthetic, through online retailers and local garden centers. However, the Texas AgriLife Extension Service cautions against using fertilizers with a high concentration of nitrogen, as this type of fertilizer may burn the foliage or entirely kill the plant.

Feeding

• The Encore azalea feeding schedule depends on when you plant it. The official website recommends waiting until spring, after the last frost for your location, to begin fertilizing fall-planted azaleas. If you plant Encores in the spring or summer, start a feeding schedule soon after planting, but stop applications after August to discourage new growth, as frost and cold weather can heavily damage tender shoots. Unlike other azalea varieties, the Encore collection typically needs only one or two feedings per year to maintain bloom production and plant health.

Application

• Regardless of which brand of fertilizer you choose, always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for dosage. Sprinkle slow-release granules or water-soluble liquid around the circumference of the plant's base, and follow with a thorough watering to dissolve the fertilizer and to help it reach the root system. If your soil condition is poor, even after an amendment, the Encore Azalea website recommends an application of liquid fertilizer at one- or two-week intervals following the manufacturer's instructions. According to Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens, liquid fertilizers should be applied to the foliage and the surrounding root system in the morning, when sunlight is less intense, to help the leaves absorb the nutrients at a faster rate.