I need help saving my azaleas!?

This is my first spring in my new home. I have several azaleas that are pathetic at best...poor blooms. I've tried Miracle Gro for azaleas, but I'm not seeing any major improvement. I'm afraid it may be too late to prune right now - the blooms I did get have died off, but I don't want to destroy the buds for next year. Also, how far back do I prune once I start cutting? Any advice from a gardner more seasoned than I am would be so very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Answers:
Hi Silvo,
Are your Azaleas in direct sun or total shade? They like filtered sunlight, to much sun and heat and they dry out, to much shade and they will grow really thin. Are your Azaleas in a raised bed? Azaleas like damp well mulched soil but not to wet. What is the pH of your soil? Azaleas like a slightly acidic soil. Every few years I will put about a quarter cup of soil sulphur around each plant. Azaleas need an acidic soil pH to feed, if your leafs are yellow this may be an indication. Try to feed your Azaleas before July this will give the new growth time to harden before winter. Try to prune right after the blooms have faded. Prune like any other shrub. :-) hope this helps.

Other answers:
ohh azaleas are very tricky soo u should try some water and tlk to them it really works!
ohh azaleas are very tricky soo u should try some water and tlk to them it really works!
Azaleas dont like wet feet so dont over water them.
They love acidic soils so add some coffee grounds from time to time.
Once your azaleas have bloomed and the blooms have died off, then, it's time to prune them. Always prune a flowering shrub right after it's done blooming. As far as pruning goes, don't go too crazy. Keep using the Miracle Gro for azaleas thru the summer every few weeks or so.
you should not prune azaleas the new growth comes from the old flowerheads if you live in the uk make sure your soil is acidic ask at a gardencentre they will put you right .Try not to expect top blooms every year and enjoy your garden goodluck
After it blooms is a good time to do any pruning. I like my azaleas to have a natural shape so I really only prune branches that look dead. Prune and step back and take a look at the plant before you plan your next cut.

They do like acid soil..like rhododendrons and evergreens so coffee grounds are a good idea. Also they don't like to dry out so if they're in a sunnier location and you have any drought like conditions through the summer, be sure to give them a little extra water. They really aren't needy plants so if you give them a little TLC now, next year they may reward you with more blooms.
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