Hello shannan_oh. Soil acidity does not change quickly so keep the a/s box handy and be prepared to reapply per the directions. It would help if you can purchase a soil pH Kit from a local nursery so you can monitor how the soil acidity changes. A kit that gives numerical readings is the best type when you want to compare readings as part of an acidifying program. Colored readings are ok but make it hard to notice small changes. Soil pH levels around 6.5 or less should start to produce results. You will need to reapply forever since soil left un-amended will slowly go back to its original alkaline pH.

A soil test may be a worthy investment if you have not had one done ever or within the last 5 years or so. It should confirm or rule out phosphate defficiency as the cause for no blooms. If you had blooms in Spring and no blooms in the Summer, the weather or pests (deer, squirrels eat the buds) could also possible causal agents.

For example, high temperatures here make ES sometimes skip blooming but then, high summer temperatures normally make ALL plants here do that. We get to the mid 90s or 100s by May. Roses and Encore Azaleas also take a break during the worst of the Texas Summer Temps. Unusual high temps where you live could also cause ES to skip blooming until the temps moderate. On years when the temperatures stays warm but do not get too too high, I get an extra Summer flush of flowers. I thought this was going to be the case this year when we got 2+ weeks of rainy weather but BAH HUMBUG! We are back on the 100s again. Hee hee hee!

Have a good summer shannan_oh!