House plants and natives - 20 July 2026

Now, before we get to your many calls, Judy, you had an email from a lovely gentleman.

Would you like to tell us about it?

Yes, certainly.

And he is a lovely gentleman, David Phillips.

And his wife is... having some work done in hospital and she wanted the azaleas repotted while she wasn't there or treated.

So he's asked a few questions and I've got some answers for you, David.

I hope you're listening today.

I would not do the cutting until the flowering is finished.

He was asking would he prune off all the flowers.

I wouldn't do that, David, till the flowering's finished.

And he also asked about if he cut the roots.

Now, azaleas can be little testy little creatures.

So honestly, David, I wouldn't cut the roots.

And how about just putting them in a larger pot? Because they are in a pot, Amanda.

Right.

But he's got rocks and everything under it, so it's a bit more complex than that.

But I would...

Think about a larger pot, David.

And the other question he asked me, should he leave it alone and perhaps find a green thumb gardener? David, I think you're on the right track because when your wife comes out of hospital, she won't be happy with what you are going to do.

So no pruning off the flowers and don't cut the roots.

Just put it in a larger pot.

if you'd like to, but I think they're grown in through the ground.

Right.

So it might be a bit complicated.

Okay.