OK, I'm over it. It started July 1, and I've watered and begged and grumbled and cried, but I'm over it now. Tomorrow I'll kiss it good-bye. Maybe.
 |
The house was built in 1971 and the rhodendron was planted soon after. We bought the place in February '73 and by April, it put on its first show for us. I thought it was the most beautiful plant ever!
Over the years I depended on it for the April show and it never let me down. A few years ago it even bloomed during one warm spell in November. It was a most glorious sight.
 |
 |
It graced the arches out front and with the background of the river birch bark, it was a beautiful evergreen. The ice storm of '09 didn't even faze it. A few years ago, some of the branches seemed to be dying but I found this was normal for an old bush. I cut back the dead, pruned it, fed it a little and it popped back to life. I thought it would outlive me. Rhodies can live for many years.
About two weeks ago, it looked a little droopy. I kept watering it, talking to it, telling it how beautiful it was and that this drought and heat would pass. I even tried singing. That could have been the problem.
Because nothing I did helped. It just could not survive 6 weeks of above 100 degrees, even in shade, no matter what I tried.
It hurts to look at it today. I've been watering it daily for weeks now, but I need to quit trying, I think.
 |
 |
 |
What do you say to an old plant who grew up with your children, one that tolerated Barbie hanging from its branches and an Altoid tin of treasure buried in its roots at least once a week in the 70s. It got run over with a bike once and it always had leftover Easter eggs gracing its branches till the heat of summer brought their scent to my attention. It's been around a long time and how will I know it's April without its blooms?
I think I need to give it one more day, then maybe I'll just cut it back to within a few inches of the ground. Or maybe a foot or so, to where the branches begin. That ought to take the stress off.
It's evergreen for goodness' sakes. I can change my mind, it isn't too late. Rhodies can grow in tropical shade. I'm taking back my good-bye kiss. I'm going to prune it down and keep watering it lightly and see what happens.
It will either live or it won't but at least I'm giving it every chance.
Good grief, this is every bit as bad as having a very sick pet.
To be continued.
Discussions:
| Thread Title | Last Reply | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| Oh Sharon! by vic | Jul 26, 2012 8:57 PM | 16 |
Post a new thread about this blog entry:
