azalea from seed

[cecil39]

I grew an azalea from the seed of the beautiful FROME, it has grown well and is now four years old, at long last it had buds this year, but they all withered and fell off before opening, can anyone tell me why this happened, it was such a disaappointment after the long wait, it is in ericaceous compost and in a similar position to the mother plant.

[a-nigma]

Quite an achievement to get to this stage and I sympathise with your disappointment.
All I can suggest is that at some stage during bud development the plant lacked water. Presumably you are giving it rain water and not tap water?
I'd be inclined to give it some sequestrene (sold most cheaply in Wilkinsons) to feed it. Presumably the leaves are OK? Did it catch frost? The mother plant would have gained some hardiness in this respect which the young one does not yet have.
Roll on next Spring for another attempt!

[cecil39]

many thanks a_nigma, will try sequestrene, yes the leaves look lovely and heathy and it has only rain water, it has been in the same size pot ( 12") all the time, so maybe I should treat it to a larger one now, you are right about the frost I remember putting fleece round the mother plant (10yrs ago) and had not thought to do the same with the young one as we have had such mild winters in recent years, but will do so next winter and hope for the best.