Established azaleas often do well with no fertilizer at all. Nutrients are slowly released by any organic mulch that you use, so rely on this as the primary source of nutrients. Excess nutrients may promote larger than normal populations of azalea pests like lace bugs and azalea whiteflies. If your azalea foliage loses its deep green color, test your soil to make sure that the pH is not too high.
If a soil test reveals that nutrients are extremely low, fertilize azaleas in the spring or fall. Use a granular, slow-release fertilizer that is acid-forming and apply a very light scattering around the edge of the root zone of the plant. Never apply more than a few tablespoons at any one time; excess fertilizer can easily burn the delicate roots of azaleas since they are so close to the soil surface. Scorched leaf margins often result from overfertilization.
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