Rhododendrons and Azaleas

Hello everyone...I am new to this site and have registered out of the sheer need for advice...no other site seems to satisfy!

I have very healthy Rhododendrons and Avaleas which flower prolifically and have new growth sprouting forth left right and center...what I am not sure of is how and when one must dead head flowers. I know that you must in order to promote growth but exactly how do you do dead head? Take the whole flower down to the steam, or simply remove petals...?

Any advise appreciated.

Regards,
Jenine :confused:

 

Lucky you to have such healthy plants. You dont really need to deadhead Rhoddies and Azaelia but if you want to you carefully take the whole flower off. Do not cut into the stem or you will damage the flower buds for next year. Hope thats a help

Cloudy

 

If your deadheading rhodies be very careful - the new leaves bud just below the flower head, break the stem just below the last flower and not to the base. Me I tend to leave then alone.