rhododendron

For Rhododendron maddenii crassum, the best watering regimen includes watering deeply and thoroughly once a week, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Make sure to check the soil each time before adding water, as it should never be left too dry or too wet. If the top couple of inches of soil is dry, it's time to water. When watering your plant, make sure it gets enough moisture but be careful to avoid overwatering. If possible, use rainwater or filtered water for the best results. Feed the plant with a balanced fertiliser once every 4 to 6 weeks during active growth.

Rhododendron maddenii subsp. crassum is a shade-tolerant plant species that prefers indirect sunlight. It can tolerate both full morning sun and partial afternoon shade, but should not be exposed to intense mid-day sun. During the spring and summer, this species can tolerate up to 4 hours of direct sun, though it's best to keep it to 2 hours or less. During the cooler months of autumn and winter, it should receive no more than 2 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Pruning Rhododendron maddenii subsp. crassum should be carried out in the late winter/early spring after a period of dormancy. Pruning should be minimal to preserve the natural vertical form of the plant and should focus on removing any dead, diseased or infested branches. To maintain the natural shape of the plant, lightly prune stems back to the growth points where lateral branches form, removing no more than a third of the branches at a time. Lightly prune existing lateral branches in the same way to reduce their length if needed.