Sad Azaleas and Blueberries

Question: Hi. I just bought three (2-3 gallon pot) azaleas. I planted them and added some brown pine needles (I read they like acidic soil). They are planted farther away (15 feet) from my pine tree. They are starting to wilt and look sad. These are in full shade. I try to water once a week at the roots. 

I also have some smaller (6 inch pots?) low bush blueberry (4, 3 are healthy but space one looks dead but has some life, I left in pot too long without good water-oops). These are planted about 6 feet from pine tree. I read that Blueberries also like acidic soil = pine tree according to MIL. These are in partial sun in the a.m. they don’t get a lot, if we have a sun shade up, they get even less.  

The blueberries are okay (space) so far but want to be sure I am caring for them properly. I more importantly want to know about the azaleas and if I should add acidic fertilizer or move them to more sun (partial). 

Can you help? Pictures attached.

responder: Thank you for your question!   Replied August 02, 2024, 12:50 PM EDT
response: First, consider a soil test to determine the actual pH of your soil. It may be acidic enough with the pine needles, but a soil test will confirm this.  The soil test will also tell you what nutrients are available to your plants and provide recommendations.   Soil tests can be purchased at your local Extension office, call ahead for hours and to confirm they are available, or at the MSU Bookstore: https://homesoiltest.msu.edu/  In order for azaleas to flower, they do need some sun, morning sun is best.  Check the soil moisture.  Dig a few inches in the soil and grab a handful, squeeze it and see how it feels.  It should feel like a squeezed out sponge.  If the soil is any wetter than that, the soil is too wet and the azaleas will suffer.  The mulch will help retain moisture, which is good, but you may need to water less.  It also looks like the mulch may be too close to the azaleas.  Be sure the mulch is at least an inch away from the base of the plant.  Blueberries do like acidic soil, again, the best way to determine the pH of the soil is to do a soil test.  In order for blueberries to produce fruit, they need at least 6 hours of full sun.  Shade as you describe is not ideal for blueberries, they will not produce and may die.  Consider replanting them in another area that receives at least 6 hours of full sun a day.   Thank you for your question.

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 12, 2024, 11:20 AM EDT
response: Hi, there.  Azalea update:I did a soil test and the results showed that the soil was almost completely the opposite of acidic. I added peat moss, pine needles (freshly fallen), and a ton of water. I also replanted them with the peat moss in the soil and made sure the root block (the ball of roots and dirt from the pot it came in) was about 1" out of the ground per online azalea-specific (shade) instructions. It seems that the root block is not receiving a lot of water. They seemed to perk up a bit after that. One azalea gets a lot more light than the other, too, and that seems to be the dryest one. WIth the moistness test, the soil seems dry. I am considering using a wooden skewer (like for kabobs) to put some wholes in the root block to get more water down to the roots. I think I moved the mulch too far away from the base. I will move the mulch 1" from the base of the plant.   Blueberry update:   I have yet to do a soil test for the blue berries. I will today. They are close to a pine tree, and seem happy, not full or extremely happy yet, but at least we are monitoring them now. They do get at least 6 hours of sun. They have afternoon shade.    On Fri, Aug 2, 2024 at 12:50 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Thank you for your question!   Replied August 14, 2024, 9:22 AM EDT
response: The root block, that you refer to on the azaleas, shouldn't be planted directly from the pot to the hole.  Instead you should break up the soil around the roots, try to knock as much loose as you can with out damaging the roots, then massage the roots so they are not wrapped around each other.  Then, when you place the plant in the hole you have in the garden, carefully spread out the roots so they continue to grow outwards into the garden.  The soil in the pot is going to be completely different from the soil in your garden.  You want the roots to adapt to the soil you have in the garden.  Then water the soil around the plant really well.  Although this article is about vegetables gardens, the watering lesson is the same for your azaleas: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart_watering_in_the_vegetable_garden  This is a great video (it is from the California Extension Master Gardeners) on how to properly transplant from a nursery container to your garden:

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 14, 2024, 9:28 AM EDT
response: This is great; thanks so much. Also, I think the one Azalea was getting too much sun, I will move it and make sure I follow y our instructions! Thanks so much! This is great!Kristy BajczOn Wed, Aug 14, 2024 at 9:22 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: