Question
QUESTION: I received a beautiful azalea plant at my office from my son for Mother's Day. It was in full bloom with tons of deep pink blosoms.  It was delivered on Friday, May 8 and today is Tuesday, May 12.  The plant has remained in my office since its delivery and I have not watered it or moved it; however, I noticed today that the flowers are wilting and drooping and the leaves are falling off like crazy.

HELP!  I don't want to loose this sweet, sentimental gift from my son.

Judy Hertrich

ANSWER: Dear Judy,

Azaleas are gorgeous aren't they?  But yours must be feeling very neglected - not watered and left all alone in a dark office over a weekend - no wonder the flowers are wilting and drooping and the leaves are falling off like crazy.  I don't know your age but since you have a son old enough to arrange a delivery to your office I imagine you are no longer a teenager!  In that case you must have noticed how,as we get older, our skin needs more frequent moisturising - well your plant is, or was, in it's prime when you received it and it needs water and plenty of it and bright light.  So take it home with you, place in a well lit spot away from direct sunlight and keep the compost wet at all times.  Wet enough for the bottom inch of stem to be stained dark with water.  The best way to water these plants is to immerse the plant in a bucket of water until the air bubbles stop rising to the surface.  Remove the plant [and pot], drain and put back on its saucer.  In really hot weather you may have to do this a couple of times a week.  And don't forget to feed it too.  You can put some plant food in with the water in the bucket - but just once a week will be enough.  At the same time splash the leaves with water - it will enjoy that!

Please get in touch with me again when it has finished flowering and I will tell you how to look after it so that it will flower again next year.  Look forward to hearing from you later in the year unless you have any problems between now and then.

Diana



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Diana,

Thank you so much for responding and for the excellent azalea advice. I appreciate your concern for my poor neglected azalea; I forgot to mention in my original email that the soil was VERY wet, obviously a precaution of the florist before sending it out, and the plant was placed in a lighted place....my office is lit 24/7.  Taking these factors into consideration was part of the reason for my concern that the plant was wilting and loosing leaves.  

I have already taken the plant home and placed it in my kitchen in a lighted area, though not in direct sunlight.  I am not a plant expert, but I think the plant has been watered too much and therefore I will not water it again until it recovers from its heavy soaking prior to delivery.

I do appreciate your feedback and would welcome any follow up comments now that you have more specific information, although, I would prefer it if you would confine your comments to plants and refrain from branching out into the areas of lessons on skincare and my advancing age.


Answer
Dear Judy,

I do love a woman with a sense of humour - thanks for giving me a good chuckle when I read your response.  

I am glad your plant is now at home in what sounds like a good position.  You are probably right that the plant had been overwatered or rather probably not allowed to drain after being watered.  And also artificial lighting is no substitute for the real thing.  However, I hope you have rescued it just in time and it will recover soon - I have always found them to be hardy plants so, fingers crossed!

Diana