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Care of azaleas and crepe myrtles


Question
Thank you for the advice.  Further, both plants seem to get a fuzzy fungus on the trunks and stems periodically.  What should be done for this situation short of cutting the affected branches off?  I do use an acidic solution (Mir-Acid) on the azaleas occasionally (1 or 2 times per year), but perhaps I should do it more often?  Do the crepe myrtles need the acid solution also or would it harm them?  Thank you for your help.
Jerry
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Followup To Question -
Could you please fill me in on the proper care of azaleas and crepe myrtles?  Mine seem to be lacking something and I have no idea of what to do.  Basically, what is the best fertilizer for them and how often should they be fertilized?
Thank you.  
Answer -
Jerry,
Azaleas love acidic soil. They also need VERY good drainage. I've seen them grow on TOP of the ground, that is just left to take root on their own, rather than being planted. We use OSMOCOTE 18-6-12 fertilizer, but any slow-release fertilizer designed especially for Azaleas is OK. If you suspect your azaleas are planted too deep or they have poor drainage, you can replant them or amend the soil by adding ground bark and sand. Prune after they bloom. Spray with malathion or cygon to kill spider mites and other insects. As for crepe myrtles, prune in January as the crepe myrtle blooms better on new growth. It's OK to prune now, but do so immediately. Crepe Myrtles don't really like soil with a high clay content. You can use the same azalea fertilizer and it will not harm the crepe myrtle. Spray with daconil to prevent powdery mildue on the foliage in the summer.
Sorry for the delay in answering, there seems to be a system problem.
Thanks and good luck, Doug Roberson

Answer
I would try spraying the azaleas with daconil or funginex as soon as possible. There is a new chemical called IMUNOX that treats fungus and insects. MirAcid is OK, but you still need a slow-release fertilizer. I don't remember if you told me how old your azaleas are, but the dwarf varieties sometimes decline with age. After 10-15 years, the dwarf varieties may need to be replaced. The indicas can live much longer. A good, hard pruning after the azaleas bloom may help. As for the crepe myrtles, the acid won't hurt them, but you should use a slow-release fertilizer or fertilizer spikes. Don't use general purpose 8-8-8 or 10-10-10.
Doug Roberson  

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