Hi Teisa! It sounds to me that your blooms just froze and died. If the rest of the plant is still leafing out and growing then it is not too big of a problem. The sad part of the story is that you most likely will not be able to enjoy the flowers this year, but don't worry, they will be back next year! I recommend you do fertilize it with Holly-tone. This will help boost plant hardiness against complications. I hope this helps!

Blooms should not be killed by temperatures above 32 degrees. The exception would be a rhododendron or azalea moved directly from a sheltered greenhouse environment with warmth and high humidity levels. If this is a rhododendron intended for outdoor planting, chances are the temperatures were actually lower than you thought. The coldest readings are usually just about dawn. Even a few minutes below 32 are enough to turn the flowers to mush.

Pick off the dead blossoms and plant outside and you will soon see new vegetative growth. Buds for next spring's flowers will form in the late summer or fall. It is, however, fairly common to have few or no buds in the first year after planting. The plant is putting its energy into root and branch formation, not flowers. Holly Tone is an excellent fertilizer if used sparingly. It is unnecessary this year and will do nothing at all to increase a rhododendron's hardiness. This is genetically determined and cannot be improved by anything sprinkled on the ground or incorporated into the soil before planting even though it was once thought that higher levels of phosphorous could do this. Keep the plant well watered right up to Thanksgiving if there is not sufficient rainfall. Protection from winter sun and wind with evergreen boughs, a burlap screen or something similar will help a newly planted rhododendron cope with winter, but will not increase its hardiness, either.

akamainegrower, as always, your response is spot on.

Wow I am so glad I ask that question because you guys have helped me so much! I learned a wealth of knowledge about my Rhodi!!

I think I found the problem though. It wasn't the coldness. I brought my plant in, let it warm up half the day and watered it. I didn't think it was all that dry at all. Well a few hours later, my blooms were standing up again!! I didn't know these fellows liked so much water,but boy they do!!

Thanks again for the education. I use the hoya forum alot! So I really appreciated the kind hospitality! I plan on ready lots of other posts to learn more!