Azalea Problem

[Biccylova]

I bought several azalea plants last autumn and all look well, except that the one to come into bud first still has no flowers and the buds that have started to open look white, but I did not buy a white one, all the others are flowering nicely and have overtaken this particular one. could this be a virus? if so can it spread to the others?

[rowanwitch]

Any chance it was simply mislabelled? A close up photo would be useful, but if the plant looks healthy I would give it a bit more time. There are earlier and later flowering varieties.

[murraymints]

happens occasionally .. remember that they need feeding to encourage healthy blooms

[Biccylova]

the plants were all in flower when I bought them so it should be pink, I thought they would all come at the same time but you may be right that this is a later one, maybe some may have been forced to flower early. as you say rowenwitch perhaps it just needs more time. Thanks for your answers.

[rowanwitch]

White to pink is a common age change, the best examples are found in waterlilies but some roses do it too. With an azalea it may have been pink when you bought it due to commercial growing techniques as they do not show this trait. Try feeding with sequestered iron as that is most likely to promote both health and colour.

[Chipchopper]

If you can see any sooty deposits on the buds, you may want to google 'rhododendron bud blast' and if so follow the advice given.

Hopefully you have acidic soil, which they prefer.

[Biccylova]

Thank you so much everyone, it all makes perfect sense, I knew I could rely on you.