best soil for azaleas in pots

The best soil for azaleas in pots is a combination of organic materials. 1/3 Peat moss will provide the correct soil pH and 2/3 of either leaf mould, compost or manure provides the optimal soil moisture balance, structure and nutrients for azaleas to grow in pots and containers. Characteristics of Good Soil for Azaleas in Pots Well draining but moisture retentive soil. The most important feature of good soil for azaleas is that it has the correct balance of moisture. The soil needs have a porous structure that allows for good drainage so that water does not pool around the roots for a long time, which would likely cause root rot (phytophthora). However the soil should have the capacity to hold onto moisture so that the roots can draw upon it when the need to. Azaleas are healthiest when the soil is moist but not saturated.Acidic soil. Azaleas require acidic soils with a pH between 4-6 (pH 7 is neutral and above 7 is alkaline). Aerated soil. Azaleas hate compacted soil as it slows drainage and may cause water to run off the surface of the soil rather then reach the roots. Both space and oxygen in the soil is important to allow for the roots to establish and for root respiration.Soil Fertility. Azaleas are not heavy feeders and can live over 100 years without every receiving fertilizer as long as the soil is rich with nutrients. However with outdoors azaleas, the addition of mulch will help add to the soils fertility whereas in pots it is often necessary to use a slow release granular fertilizer as pots and containers naturally are limited in terms of access to nutrients. Perfect Soil for Potted Azaleas The perfect soil for azaleas is a composition of organic material. Thankfully azaleas are not heavy feeders compared to plants such as roses so the priority is for the capacity to hold moisture, structure and the right soil pH. A composition of these materials: compostleaf mouldpeat moss well rotted manure These ingredients will make a perfect soil medium for growing azaleas in pots and containers. Each material retains moisture yet retains a structure that allows water to infiltrate the soil and out the bottom of the pot so that the roots do not sit in saturated soil. Peat moss is important as it will provide the acidic conditions that azaleas require so that you ensure the azalea will be happy with the soil pH. However peat moss is not particularly high in nutrients and can repel water if it gets too dry, which is why it is important to mix it with compost, leaf mould or manure. Only use around 1 third by volume of peat moss with the other two thirds composed of leaf mould, compost or well rotted manure. If you do not have access to or do not want to uses peat moss then I recommend that you use leaf mould which is composed of Oak or beech leaves as these materials will contribute the acidity of the soil and help retain moisture. Well rotted manure will provides a significant amount of Nitrogen (N) which is one of the most important nutrients that azaleas require (along with Phosphorous, P and Potassium, K). However I would still recommend a specific azalea fertilizer applied in the Spring as potted soil lacks the soil ecosystem in garden soil which works to make nutrients more available. (Read my guide for how to prepare garden soil for azaleas) Pre-made Potting Mix for Azaleas Alternatively you can plant azaleas in pre made ericaceous compost which is available from garden centers and online. The term 'ericacious' just means compost that is formulated for plants that prefer acidic soil such as azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. Pre-made formulas generally are multi purpose potting soils so it should retain the soil characteristics that azaleas require and maintain the correct moisture balance. These bags of compost are particularly helpful for one off pot planting of azaleas in smaller gardens or yards if you don't have easy access to other materials. Use Fertilizer for Azaleas in Pots Whether your potting soil is a homemade composition or comes in a bag from the store it is still important to use fertilizer to get the best out of azaleas. This is because pots and contains will not be able to support the soil ecosystem (microbes, beneficial fungi and earthworms) that all work together to make the nutrients in the soil, available for uptake by the roots therefore the use of fertilizer for azaleas in pots is particularly important. Fertilizer will ensure the plant has all the nutrients it requires to grow well, produce strong flowers and stay disease free. It can also maintain the right level of acidity in the soil. Special fertilizer that is made for azaleas and rhododendrons, contains all the nutrients that the plant requires at the right concentration. Small or young azaleas can fall victim to leaf burn at the tip of the leaf if the fertilizer contains too much nitrogen, hence the importance of having the right concentration of nutrients. Use a fertilizer such as miracle gro which has a formulation specifically made for azaleas. It comes in granular form which release slowly overtime, therefore you only have to apply it once at the start of Spring (March/April) when the new seasons growth has emerged. For more information, including which products to use, read my guide on when is the best time for fertilizing azaleas? Azalea Soil for Warm and Cold climates Potted soil for azaleas should differ slightly between plants that are in different climates. In hotter climates, I recommend that you favour leaf mould when making a soil composition for azaleas as this material has the greatest capacity to retain water (more so then compost) which is very important as azalea require moist soil to be healthy and avoid drought. Pots naturally drain a quicker then azaleas planted in garden soil so moisture retentive soil has to be a priority, especially in arid climates. Whereas in cool temperate climates with higher rainfall it may be beneficial to include some inorganic materials such as perlite or gravel to the mix or perhaps just to the bottom 2 inches of the pot. Azaleas do prefer moist soils but if evaporation is slow because of cooler temperatures and rainfall is relatively high then some added gravel will increase the aeration of the soil which makes it easier for roots to establish. Added gravel also ensures the soil is well drained so that the roots do not sit in consistently wet soil which can contribute to the conditions that make root rot more prevalent. Key Takeaways: The best soil for azaleas in pots and containers is a combination of peat moss for the optimal acidity, leaf mould, well rotted manure and compost for porous structure that allows for drainage but still holds enough moisture for the roots to draw water when they need to.Use oak or beech leaf mould as an alternative to peat moss, to maintain the correct acidity for the soil. Ericaceous soil from garden stores or online is another option for azaleas if you do not have access to organic materials.Azaleas benefit from a specialised fertilizer at the start of Spring as potting soil does not have the same soil ecosystem as established garden soil and therefore there is less access to nutrients, even with good potting soil.Azaleas in pots or containers in warmer, dry climates should have a greater concentration (around 2 thirds) of leaf mould as this has a greater capacity to hold moisture. Climates that have high rainfall and cooler temperatures should have some gravel at the base of the pot to assist drainage and avoid problems such as root rot to keep the plant healthy.