How to care for an Azalea flower at home

Author: Natalya Category: Houseplants Published: October 23, 2017Republished: February 24, 2019Last edits: January 11, 2021

Transplantation and propagation of azaleas

Diseases and pests

Types and varieties

Literature

Comments

Azalea (lat. Azalea) is the common name for some beautifully flowering species of the genus Rhododendron, which were previously classified as a separate genus of the Heather family. Actually, these are the same rhododendrons, only indoors. In nature, there are about 350 representatives of azaleas, but only two species are grown indoors. Azaleas are native to China and Japan, but today they can be found in Europe and North America. The generic name "rhododendron" consists of two Greek words that are translated as "rose" and "tree", that is, "rose tree". And “azalea” translated means “dried, waterless”: in nature, azalea is a small dry shrub. Azalea appeared in cultivation in the 17th century, and by 1820 the first varieties of the plant were bred, of which there were already more than a thousand by the beginning of the last century.

How to choose the right plant?

Tips for choosing Azaleas are about the same as for buying most indoor plants:

• It is preferable to choose a flower on which the first buds have just appeared. It is worth adhering to this rule first of all, since the plant in any case experiences stress when moving from its usual environment. But it was noticed that not in a blooming state, Azalea quickly adapts to new conditions.
• It is recommended to evaluate the external condition of the bush. To do this, it should be carefully tilted. If there are fading or even dry leaves at the base, then it is obvious that such an Azalea grew in an uncomfortable place. There is a risk that she will not survive the move and will quickly wither away.

Azalea in a pot
If you purchase a plant that is already flowering, then the only recommendation is not to try to immediately transplant it into a new pot. It is better to wait until the flowering ends or at least its peak. Otherwise, there will be very little chance of successful survival of such a magnificent flower.

Description and varieties of plants

Botanists have recorded more than 600 species of azaleas in nature, but humans grow no more than 5% of this number. Before purchasing seed, get acquainted with two common varieties. We are talking about Indian azalea and Japanese azalea. The listed species belong to the decorative class. The result of many years of work by breeders are flowers with an unusual flower shape and corolla color.

View	Description	Advantages	Note	Varieties
Japanese	An adult shrub does not grow more than 60 cm; by the time it ripens, it looks like a dense pillow	Resistant to the vagaries of nature, has good immunity	Grown at home, often used in landscape design	Rhododendron obfusum, Melina, Kermesina Alba
Indian	The growth of an adult bush does not exceed 40-60 cm, but if you refuse to restrain growth, the height reaches 1.5 m	Possibility of choosing seed material with different flowering periods, with a certain corolla size and flower color	Unlike the Japanese variety, the Indian variety has larger flowers.	Rhododendron simsii,
Hybrid	The result of crossing several wild species, thanks to which it was possible to obtain an azalea with good immunity and appearance	Withstands temperature changes from – 20 °C to + 30 °C, has a variety of flower colors	Hybrid Azaleas are suitable for growing at home and in a greenhouse	Knap Hill, Rhododendron Golden Eagle

Each variety is bred taking into account the minimum and maximum temperature background that the flower is able to withstand.

On a note! Before buying seed, study the information presented on the packaging. It is advisable to choose a variety that has a margin of safety. This will reduce the likelihood of crop loss if the weather turns harsh.

Caring for Azalea after purchase

If you follow all the rules, namely, purchase an Azalea with barely visible buds, then it is better not to delay replanting it in a new permanent pot. In the future, you can adhere to the rules of transplanting young bushes into larger containers every year, and grown plants - every 2-3 years.

After the first preparations, all that remains is to find the ideal location for Azalea and try to avoid sudden changes in temperature, humidity and light.

Growing conditions

Incomparable and abundant flowering - that's all about Azalea. It is even more pleasant because it comes very early, at the end of February - beginning of March, when winter in most parts of Russia does not even think of letting up. But in order to achieve the appearance of beautiful flowers, you will have to try.

Azalea is a very demanding houseplant. Even minor temperature fluctuations or failure to comply with the frequency of watering can lead to disruption of flowering rhythms, and sometimes even destroy the flower.

Temperature

Azalea notices temperature fluctuations of even 5-10°C. The main feature is that this flower does not like heat at all. During flowering, for example, it is not recommended to place the pot in a place where the air heats up above +18-20 C. Otherwise, even if it is possible to achieve flowering, it will most likely be fleeting and dull.

Optimal temperature for azaleas

Advice! Experienced gardeners recommend choosing a permanent place for Azaleas between two glasses - one will block access to cold air from the street, the other will block access to too warm air from the room. A balcony or veranda is best.

Another feature of this flower is that when the buds appear, it is important to reduce the air temperature even more, to about +12 °C. The upper limit is +18 °C.

In the summer, when it is very hot outside, to reduce stress, it is generally recommended to move the plant to a room where there is air conditioning (but not under direct flows of cold air).

Air humidity

The natural habitat of some varieties of Azalea is the humid tropics. This means that the plant loves high humidity, and this requirement should be strictly observed.

Attention! Particular attention should be paid to moisturizing the flower during the heating season, because hot radiators dry out the air greatly.

Azalea loves high humidity
, but you have to walk a fine line. Azalea is very capricious, so it will react equally poorly to both excessive waterlogging and excessively dry soil in a pot.

In general, you should have a regular sprayer on hand, with which you can give Azalea a light shower with cool water at least once a day. But don't forget about one more feature.

If the plant is blooming, then such procedures should be canceled, because droplets of water falling on the petals will lead to the formation of dark spots. To avoid this, during flowering it is better to simply place containers of water next to the pot, which will gradually evaporate.

Advice! You should avoid the popular misconception that to cool your azalea, you can try periodically placing pieces of ice on the surface of the soil. The root system of the plant in such conditions will be stressed and rot.

Azaleas Knap Hill

An extensive group of hybrid plants, called Knap Hill Hybrid, was created by crossing several wild azalea species, including the Japanese variety, as well as plants bred from America.

The beginning of breeding work, which gave the world of flower growers many luxurious plants, was laid in the 19th century in the legendary British nursery Knap Hill Nursery. It was he who gave the name to the azalea mixes obtained by E. Vatarer.

Some of the seedlings of new hybrids were purchased by the famous billionaire collector and florist Lionel Rothschild. The plants were transported to Hampshire and here, on the estate of Baron Exbury, work on developing previously unseen varieties of azaleas continued. As a result, the world received flowers of amazing brightness, not only in traditional white and pink tones, but also in yellow shades.

On the site of the old estate, a luxurious garden with bushes of deciduous azaleas one and a half meters high is still preserved. The flowers have different colors and sizes; some specimens are striking even with 10-centimeter corollas.

Many Knap Hill azaleas emit a subtle fragrance, and most easily tolerate frosts down to 23 °C and even up to 30 °C.

Unfortunately, it was not possible to preserve all the hybrid azaleas from the old English group. Many were irretrievably lost, but the remaining plants became the basis for modern breeding work.

Azalea Golden Eagle (Rhododendron Golden Eagle)

A winter-hardy deciduous azalea, obtained from crossing Rhododendron calendulaceum and reaching a height of 1.8 meters in adulthood. A plant with a wide, rounded crown acclimatizes perfectly in the conditions of the middle zone and annually pleases the gardener with the appearance of a mass of yellow-orange semi-double flowers with a diameter of up to 6 cm. The flowers of this azalea variety form inflorescences of 6–12 pieces and do not fall for 3 to 9 weeks.

Azalea Knap Hill Sylphides

This deciduous azalea variety also belongs to the Knap Hill Hybrid family and is considered one of the most frost-hardy in the world. Plants resist frosts down to –32 °C and in spring open 8–14 large funnel-shaped flowers on each shoot. The background color of the corollas is white and pink, with a bright yellow spot in the middle. This variety of azaleas does not have a pronounced aroma. Mass flowering occurs in May and June. An adult bush has a dense spherical crown up to 120 cm high.

Azalea deciduous Jolie Madame

Tall compared to the azalea varieties described above, the Jolie Madame bush also survives frosty winters well, but by the age of 10 it can grow up to 3 meters in height. The flowers of this deciduous azalea are large, simple and bright pink. There is a barely visible orange-yellow spot in the center. The peak of flowering occurs in June, when 7–9 flowers open on the shoots.

Azalea Knap Hill Schneegold

The spectacular deciduous azalea is obtained by crossing the yellow rhododendron variety Saint Ruan and Cecile. Plant growth in gardens is limited. As a result of pruning, a crown is formed with a height and width of about one and a half meters, but without control, the azalea can grow up to 2 meters in height.

The flowers are large with white petals wavy along the edge. But the azalea cannot be called white, since the top of the corolla is decorated with a yellow spot, and the bottom edges have a pink blush. Flowering occurs in May and June.

Azalea Knap Hill Csardas

This hybrid variety, derived from the yellow rhododendron, is also a member of the Knap Hill azalea group. The flowering of the variety begins in May, when the meter-high bush is covered, as in the azalea photo, with yellow-cream double flowers. A fragrance spreads around the plants. The difference between this azalea variety is its love of sunlight. The plant grows well and blooms on the sunny side; in the shade, the brightness and size of the corollas noticeably decreases.

Azalea Knap Hill (Rhododendron yellow) Satan

One of the brightest azalea varieties from the English group is called “Satan” and stands out for its simple scarlet flowers with a yellowish tint inside the corolla. The height of the light-loving upright plant reaches 180 cm. When planting, it is recommended to choose well-lit places with loose, drained soil. The peak flowering of this azalea, as in the photo, falls in the last ten days of May and throughout June.

Azalea hybrid "Slavka" (Knap Hill group)

The flowers of this variety of azalea have not only a pure white color, but also an amazing double structure, as if one corolla is inserted into the other. An elegant white azalea will decorate any garden and can be used both in single and group plantings. The height of the bush is small, only 1–1.4 meters, the crown is spherical and compact.

Azalea Golden Lights (Rhododendron Golden Lights)

A spectacular plant with bright lush flowering and extraordinary frost resistance will not be lost in any garden or greenhouse. This is a deciduous azalea, bred by American breeders at the University of Minnesota. The azalea hybrid Golden Lights belongs to the American Northern Lights group. An adult bush reaches a height of 150 cm and from May to June is lushly decorated with golden-yellow flowers 7 cm in diameter. For a plant, like the azalea in the photo, shaded, quiet places with abundant watering and an acidic substrate rich in humus are preferred.

Azalea hybrid Azurro

Huge flowers of the Azzurro hybrid appear from the end of May and last until mid-June. Deciduous azalea bushes up to 1.5 meters high are strewn with thousands of flowers of a juicy purple-blackberry color with crimson splashes inside the corolla.

Azalea deciduous Koichiro Wada

Azalea species yakushimanum belongs to the Asian varieties of the plant. The Koichiro Wada variety stands out among its relatives for its bright pink buds, which fade when the corollas fully open. Gradually, the cupped flowers become completely white. The leaves are dark green, leathery, dense, but they are almost invisible due to the mass of azalea flowers, as in the photo, covering the crown until mid-June. The ornamental shrub grows up to 140 cm in height and 220 cm in width; it is very frost-resistant and not picky when grown in the garden.

Lighting

The main feature of Azalea lighting is due to the fact that it does not like heat. In its natural environment, it thrives in shady places where there is enough light, but where direct sunlight simply cannot penetrate.

Azalea loves light, but can't stand heat

Therefore, it is desirable to recreate the same conditions in an artificial environment.

• It is necessary to find a place where there will be enough light, but where the sun will either not look at all, or only hit in the morning or evening hours.
• The same can be said about those situations when Azalea is taken out into the open air. For example, at the dacha, the plant can be left in a shaded place under the trees in the garden, where the aggressive midday sun will not reach.
• At the same time, Azalea will not have enough light in October-November, when the buds of future flowers are set. Then you can’t do without fluorescent lamps.

We can say that Azalea is demanding in terms of lighting and is most capricious in this aspect. Therefore, finding a suitable place can be problematic, but it must be done.

Choosing a place to put it

Azalea on a table in the back of the room
When the question of choosing a place for Azalea arises, the intensity of sunlight should be put first, and only then the temperature.

The flower will feel good on windowsills where there is little sun. For example, windows facing west or east would be an ideal option. Usually the rays of the rising or setting sun cannot harm the delicate leaves of the plant.

You'll also have to think about temperature. It is true that even a slight discomfort that an Azalea will experience due to too high or too low a temperature will definitely lead to less than ideal and less long-lasting blooms.

Therefore, it is better to give preference to well-ventilated, shady rooms. It is very good if there is air conditioning in the room.

The balcony is also well suited for this heat-loving flower. But only if it does not face the south side.

Azalea on the windowsill

What does it look like in the interior?

Azalea belongs to the genus Rhododendron, which literally translates as “rose tree”. This is the distinctive feature of Azaleas - bright flowers of pink or red.

Externally, this plant is a neat bush that rarely exceeds 50 centimeters in height. Because Azaleas have very small leaves, they are almost invisible when the flowers bloom, occupying most of the plant's volume.

Undoubtedly, Azaleas will decorate a balcony or a not very hot window sill, because during their flowering season, when there is snow outside, they will remind you of the imminent approach of the long-awaited spring.

Azalea flower

Unfortunately, they are often perceived as a living bouquet, and after flowering they are thrown away - this plant is unfairly considered too capricious and difficult to care for, or even disposable. And in vain! Azaleas are not at all difficult to grow at home, you just need to understand the basic requirements of the plant, which are determined by its origin and habitat in the wild.

Azaleas belong to the large genus of rhododendrons, which, in turn, is part of the large heather family. Modern varieties of indoor azaleas were created based on two miniature natural species:

• Rhododendron Simsa (Azalea Simsa or Indian azalea)
• Rhododendron obtuse (or Japanese Azalea)

Both species live high in the mountains of India and Southeast Asia at an altitude of 2000-3500 meters above sea level in the cloudy montane forest zone.

Low azalea bushes grow in the shade of trees, which shield them from direct sunlight. The air temperature in this altitude zone is constantly cool, the soil is acidic and moist, the air humidity is very high - often the entire forest is covered with clouds and thick fog.

It is these conditions that are ideal for the life of these plants and their descendants - our indoor azaleas.

At first glance, it seems that it is impossible or extremely difficult to recreate such a habitat in a home culture. However, everything is not so scary. We'll cover some clever farming techniques that can easily provide the basic conditions that guarantee successful azalea growing:

• very acidic soil;
• very cold content;
• very high humidity;
• a bright place without direct sunlight or with a minimum amount of it.

How to care at different times

Since it is already clear that Azalea reacts sensitively to even minor temperature fluctuations, the change of seasons can greatly affect the growth of the flower. It is important to try to maintain a balance and surround the plant with approximately the same conditions throughout the year. Sometimes you will even have to move the pot from its usual place.

Spring

The beginning of spring is the time of flowering of Azaleas. These days, it is recommended to pay special attention to watering and light spraying with cool, settled water. And be sure to remove any drops from the petals, because otherwise they will become covered with ugly spots.

Azalea must be sprayed with settled water

In spring, and then in summer, Azalea should be fed more often than at any other time of the year. The intensity can be individual, but the most common option for fertilizing is once a week. Preference should be given to those mineral supplements that are rich in potassium and phosphorus.

Azalea blossom

Summer

Summer is, first of all, the time for propagation of Azaleas by cuttings. It is important to choose shoots with buds that have not yet become woody. It is best to give preference to one-year-old shoots.

To ensure that the cuttings take root, it is better to cover them with a bag or glass jar and do not forget to water them well.

The secret of proper care in summer also lies in the need to remove the flower from particularly hot places. It is often advised to move the pot to a room where there is air conditioning or at least the windows face north.

Autumn

If conditions for Azaleas are ideal or close to such, then flowering can continue even until autumn. But usually already in July-August the last flowers fade, and the plant begins to slowly prepare for winter.

At this time, it is recommended to gradually reduce watering , eventually reaching the minimum annual values. You just need to make sure that the soil always remains moist, but not soggy.

Towards the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, you need to keep the flower in a temperature background of +10-12 C. It is believed that such conditions are literally the best for laying the strongest buds, and then the longest flowering.

Winter

The main problem with growing Azaleas in winter is the lack of light. To solve this, artificial lighting is used. And it is especially important to do this when the first buds - future flowers - appear on the plant.

The second feature is the need to strictly observe humidity and temperature, which change due to heating radiators that dry the air or greatly heat the room. Therefore, it is often recommended to even protect the flower pot with screens from the side of the room or choose a place where no more than +18-20 C is stably maintained.

How to properly care for an azalea?

Proper planting practically guarantees that the flower will take root in the summer cottage. However, it is also necessary to provide care so that it grows well and blooms profusely. We suggest you familiarize yourself with the basic rules for caring for garden azaleas.

How often to water and fertilize a flowering plant?

This crop requires a lot of water - the top layers of the soil should always be moist. To meet this requirement, it is recommended to lay out pine needle mulch. It will also allow you to achieve the desired acidity of the soil.

Watering is done as follows:

• you need to use soft water without chlorine;
• It is strongly recommended to slightly wet the leaves;
• Watering should be done in the evening or on cloudy days so that the sun does not damage the crop;
• for watering and spraying, use rain or settled water contained in a jar or barrel;
• When spraying, make sure that moisture does not get on the buds.

Important! Sometimes the top layer of soil still dries out. In this case, the plant begins to fade quickly. It is necessary to water the soil abundantly, but mulching should not be done. If moisture lingers in the soil for a long time, the roots will begin to rot. In a couple of days, you will need to lightly water the azalea again and lay out mulch. After this, humidification is carried out in standard mode.

You also need to properly fertilize the crop. It requires organic and mineral substances. The best organic matter is peat, bird droppings, compost, and so on. Everything is added in liquid form. If it is necessary to add minerals, it must be ensured that they contain potassium, manganese, iron, phosphorus, nitrogen and superphosphate. These elements are especially necessary for the active growth of garden azaleas.

Fertilizers are applied:

• during a period of active growth;
• during budding;
• when flowering.

It is better to buy minerals in trusted stores. They must be of proper quality for the plant to thrive.

Diseases and pests of white flowers

Problems with azaleas arise from time to time: its leaves begin to turn yellow or black, and then fall off. This happens as a result of improper watering. In this case, you need to urgently correct the situation. If the cause is rust or powdery mildew, then it is worth removing the affected area and treating the bush itself with a fungicide.

However, more often than diseases, azaleas are attacked by pests. These are ants, aphids, azalea moths, spider mites, and so on. Industrial poisons are used to combat them.

They are:

• intestinal;
• contact;
• systemic.

The bush must be sprayed according to the instructions. It is important not to get on the buds if the azalea is blooming. The first result can be seen within 1-3 days.

Care during the flowering period

The plant especially needs proper care during flowering so that it is abundant and long-lasting. Here's what you need to do during this period:

1. Pruning dry and diseased shoots. It is also worth removing large side shoots that are actively growing but do not produce buds.
2. Water the flower correctly and in a timely manner.
3. Apply fertilizer.

By stimulating flowering with minerals, you can get large buds that smell great.

Soil for azaleas

You need to choose the right soil for this plant. It must meet the following requirements:

• It is recommended to choose acidic soil with a pH level of 4.5-6;
• the soil must retain moisture well and be fertilized in a timely manner, otherwise the plant will not be able to grow quickly and bloom profusely;
• if the mixture is created independently, it is necessary to use coniferous soil, high-moor peat and river sand in a 1:1:1 ratio;
• It is imperative to provide a drainage system.

Reference. Wrong choice of soil will not ensure long-term flowering. Moreover, sometimes the plant dies after a while.

Transfer

It is necessary to replant an azalea in exceptional cases. For example, when a new building appeared on the site and the place became unsuitable for a flower, or when the soil became infected.

Transplant process:

1. First you need to prepare a hole in a new location.
2. A special soil is prepared, which is optimal for azaleas.
3. Next, you need to dig up the bush and inspect it for rot or other diseases. Lumps of earth must be carefully removed.
4. Then the plant needs to be planted in a new hole.
5. At the end, watering is carried out.

Important! It is recommended to replant in early spring - after the temperature has settled and the threat of frost has passed.

Air humidity

Air humidity should be approximately the same. It is better if it is around 80%. To ensure this, you can plant the azalea next to a barrel of water, and also mulch the ground with peat.

Temperature

The air temperature should depend on the season of the year:

• spring – +10… +15 °C;
• summer – +20… +24 °C;
• autumn – +10… +12 °C.

Reference. In winter, the temperature in the soil should not be allowed to drop below 5 degrees. Therefore, it is recommended to replant the crop and store it at home or install a year-round greenhouse.

Lighting

Basic requirements for it:

• there must be enough sunlight;
• It is important to have subdued shade for most of the day.

A lack of light will not allow azaleas to grow quickly and bloom profusely. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the right place on a summer cottage for growing this crop.

Reproduction methods

Garden azalea propagates by cuttings and dividing the bush. Considering that the trunk is tree-like and the bush is quite large, it is better to use cuttings.

To do this you need:

1. Take a shoot about 10 cm.
2. Place it in water.
3. Wait for the roots to appear.
4. Plant in a pot.
5. Wait until the root system is sufficiently strong.
6. Replant in open ground.

That is, nothing is complicated, everything happens in a standard way.

Transfer

Replanting a domestic azalea
It is important to replant an azalea immediately after purchase. But only if it has not yet bloomed.

One of the conditions for replanting is to take a pot at least 5 centimeters larger than the previous one each time. Experienced gardeners also recommend maintaining certain time intervals:

• For young plants, replant every year, approximately in the spring, but most importantly, not during the flowering period and not in winter.
• Adult plants are replanted less frequently - once every 2-3 years.

Each time you should carefully inspect the bush and do not be afraid to remove dried or fading shoots, leaves, and roots from it. On the contrary, it is even welcome.

Transplantation and propagation of azaleas

When replanting an azalea after flowering, do not immerse the root collar in the soil, otherwise the plant will die. Also try not to damage the roots of the azalea: do not touch its earthen lump unless absolutely necessary. How to replant an azalea without harming it? If the pot becomes too small for the plant, simply transfer it along with the lump into a new container, the diameter of which should be 2 cm larger than the previous container. You already know what kind of soil azaleas need.

At home, azalea propagates mainly by cuttings. However, this is a long and troublesome task, so it is much easier to buy a plant in a store. But if you still want to start propagation, use a sharp blade or knife to cut 10-15 cm long pieces from young, not yet lignified shoots of the plant. The lower cut should pass under the bud. Leaves from the bottom of the cuttings must be removed. The cuttings are planted in moist peat to a depth of 5 cm, the substrate around them is squeezed well and each cutting is covered with a glass jar. You can plant the cuttings in a mini-greenhouse and cover them with a transparent lid. The rooting procedure should take place at a temperature of 25 ºC. The covering is removed two to three times a day to ventilate and, if necessary, moisten the substrate. Rooting lasts about six months, after which the seedlings with developed roots are planted in a permanent container and conditions are created for them as for adult plants.

You can try to root azalea cuttings. Make a small cut on the side shoot under the bud (there must be one pair of leaves above the bud), place the layer on the soil in the pot, fix it in this position and sprinkle it with soil. When the cuttings take root, they are separated very carefully so as not to damage the mother plant and transplanted into a pot.

Landing

There are several tips for planting purchased Azaleas. Some recommend moving the plant along with a lump of earth. Others claim that there is nothing wrong with soaking the roots and removing all the soil from them before planting.

In any case, it is better to adhere to the following recommendations:

• Add Kornevin each time to stimulate growth and reduce plant stress.
• Plant only after flowering, first removing all dry shoots and leaves.

You can also use purchased soil (any kind for rhododendrons). It is only important that the soil is acidic, with a pH level of 3.5-5.

Advice! After planting, you do not need to water the Azalea for at least 3 days. And only then gradually return to normal hydration rules.

Reproduction

The most common way to propagate Azaleas is by cuttings. To do this, choose young shoots that have not yet become woody. They are separated from the main trunk and planted in the ground. When the first shoots appear on them, they are pinched, forming the crown of the future flower.

Azalea propagation

Sometimes the branch method is used for propagation. To do this, the lower shoots are already selected and carefully taken to the ground. Part of the stem is buried and wait for roots to appear (usually takes at least six months), and then the seedling is separated and transferred to another pot.

Propagation of azaleas by stem cuttings

The easiest way to propagate azaleas is by cuttings. It is best to carry out this procedure in the summer. Semi-lignified cuttings on which buds have appeared are planted in prepared soil and covered with a jar or polyethylene. The cover is regularly removed to moisten and ventilate the plant. Flower buds may appear and should be removed immediately. After about 2 months, the shoots take root. Then they move to a new place.

Important! If the shoots stretch out, they need to be pinched on already rooted shoots. Pinching is also needed to form the crown.

Trimming and pinching

Pruning and pinching Azaleas is an important step that is necessary to give the bush the correct shape, as well as abundant flowering in the spring.

A small pruner or garden shears will do the job. It is important to pinch young shoots first and then carefully cut them off. This way you can direct more of the plant’s energy to forming inflorescences.

At the end of April - May, all young shoots should be cut off at the end so that buds of future flowers are formed in this place.

After flowering, Azalea is prepared for wintering. To do this, all fading leaves, flowers and shoots are removed.

Azalea pruning

Azalea blossom

How to get an azalea to bloom? The secret to long flowering and preservation of this shrub at home is: timely watering, low temperature and bright diffused light. In a warm room, the flowering period of azaleas is shortened, and in exceptional cases the buds may completely fall off. If the ambient temperature is maintained at 12 degrees, the azalea will delight with its flowering for 2 - 2.5 months.

But if the temperature regime is not observed at 18-20 degrees, only 2 weeks.

During the flowering period, azalea is strewn with beautiful flowers. Sometimes there are so many of them that you can’t even see the leaves. During the flowering period, azaleas can be shaped, moved and rotated.

• young shoots appearing on flowering stems must be removed;
• for fertilizing, choose a fertilizer with a predominance of potassium and phosphorus;
• It is important to immediately pluck out faded flowers, otherwise they will continue to “pull” nutrients from the plant.

When purchasing an azalea in a flower shop, be guided by the following principle: the plant should have several blooming flowers, the rest of the flowers should be in the form of unopened buds. With proper care, you will watch the buds bloom and your azalea will transform before your eyes. After flowering, dried inflorescences are removed from the azalea and a crown is formed.

Rejuvenation

The first rejuvenation of the plant can be carried out after 3-4 years of cultivation, when the peak of flowering of the bush has passed.

Under no circumstances should you start the process before or during flowering, otherwise you can destroy the entire bush. And since flowering normally continues until the end of spring, Azalea should be rejuvenated at the beginning of summer.

The main condition is to remove the longest or thickest shoots. Of course, weak, dried out, withering stems are also pruned.

Also, during transplantation, a similar procedure should be carried out with weak roots. This action will make the bush especially fragrant and renewed.

Description of the flower

Indoor azalea is a dwarf plant, up to 50 cm high. The small leaves of the bush are dark green and covered with reddish hairs, or are completely smooth. Indoor azalea blooms at the age of 3-4 years with snow-white, hot pink, red, violet, lilac and even two-color, simple or double, corrugated or fringed inflorescences.

The more common Indian azalea has leathery leaves, up to 3.5 cm long, ovate, pubescent below. Flowers in the form of a wide funnel, from 3.5 to 5 cm in diameter. Japanese azalea is distinguished by narrower lanceolate, shiny, glossy leaves up to 5 cm long. Flowers of the same shape, but smaller - maximum 3 cm in diameter. Flowering occurs in the winter months. Both species are low, up to 50 cm, highly branched shrubs.

Watering

Azalea should be watered frequently in summer, every 1-2 days, but with small portions of water. It is better to moisten the soil in small doses; water for irrigation must be settled and “softened.”

It won’t hurt to get a small sprayer and regularly lightly moisten the air and leaves for your Azaleas. But this procedure will have to be stopped during flowering, otherwise the flower petals can quickly be damaged.

In winter, the flower is watered a couple of times a week.

Spraying an azalea

Top dressing

It is best to feed Azalea with mineral fertilizers with a high content of potassium or phosphorus. But you need to be careful, because fertilizers with chlorine can destroy the plant.

For the flower, it is recommended to choose “Uniflor-bud” or “Kemira-Lux”. Excellent compatibility is expected with special mineral fertilizers from the “Azalea” series.

Most often, feeding is needed in spring and summer - up to weekly cycles. In winter, there is minimal intensity; it is enough to fertilize the flower once a month.

Caring for indoor azaleas at home after purchase: photos and basic requirements

The beautiful azalea is very capricious and demanding to care for. The reaction of a flower to a lack of care is wrinkling of leaves, falling off of unbloomed buds, and the appearance of insect pests.

Lighting requirements

Despite the fact that the plant is light-loving, it must be shaded from direct sunlight. The best place for growth and flowering is the eastern side. In spring and summer, the plant can be taken out into the open air to saturate it with oxygen.

The light should be bright but diffused

Temperature and humidity conditions

Azalea is quite picky about the ambient temperature. In order for the shrub to develop well and delight you with its flowering, you must first monitor the air temperature:

1. In winter, azaleas need coolness. To do this, the air temperature should not be higher than +16°C.
2. In spring and summer, the temperature should be moderate and range from +20..+25°C.
3. If the plant spends the entire summer outdoors, then it must be brought into a warm room before the cold weather begins.

While observing the temperature regime, one should not forget about air humidity, especially in winter. To increase humidity, use a humidifier and also carry out regular spraying.

Spraying is carried out only with settled water.

Soil for azaleas

When planting a plant, you need to take care of the soil. You can buy it at the store or prepare it yourself.

When purchasing an earthen substrate, you need to check the expiration date, since the chemical composition changes during long-term storage.

When making your own soil, it is necessary to take into account the acidity and composition of the soil. Acidity should be in the range from 3.5 to 5.5 units. The composition should include: 2 parts each of leaf and coniferous soil and one part each of low-lying, high-moor peat, sand and heather soil.

The soil is nutritious, with medium acidity

Transplanting azaleas at home

Azaleas are replanted in the summer, when the plant begins to intensively grow side shoots. Transplant rules:

1. Before starting the procedure, remove all faded flowers, dried shoots and leaves.
2. Carefully remove the bush from the pot and shake off the root system from the old soil.
3. To prevent damage to the roots during transplantation, the plant is immersed in water for several hours. Thus, the old soil will quickly move away from the root system.
4. If the earthen lump is dry and hard, then it is better to cut it a few centimeters with a sharp knife. This procedure will speed up the appearance of young roots. In this case, the plant must also be kept in water for several hours with the addition of a few drops of Zircon.

The time of transplantation can be determined by the condition of the soil

You should not try to separate the roots from the soil yourself, as this can lead to damage to the root system.

Azalea transplant (video):

Watering azaleas at home

Azaleas grow well in moist soil, so the soil should always be kept moist.

The moist state should not be confused with swampy soil.

The best option is to water every other day in small doses. Watering rules:

1. After watering, it is necessary to remove the resulting water from the pan.
2. Azalea is watered with soft and settled, melt or rain water. Tap water is not suitable for irrigation due to its high chlorine content.
3. If the soil is very dry and the azalea has lost its decorative appearance, the pot should be immersed in a container of water for 2 hours. The root system will be saturated with the necessary amount of moisture, and the plant will come to life.

Water should be at room temperature

Trimming and pinching azaleas

Azaleas must be regularly pruned and pinched to form the crown, make the plant bushy, so that a large number of buds are formed during flowering. After the end of flowering, you need to remove all the flowers and, starting from May to June, pinch out the growing shoots. When pinched, the plant will grow more and more new shoots, on which buds will appear in winter. Only elongated branches need pruning; the shorter the pruning, the more greenery will appear on these shoots. The cut must be disinfected.

This is what the bush looks like after pruning

In order to avoid making mistakes, you can familiarize yourself with the pinching rule according to the diagram:

Feeding and fertilizers

Since azalea is a very delicate flower, the choice of fertilizer must be approached with all responsibility. The best option is fertilizers intended for azaleas, as they contain all the microelements necessary for growth, development and flowering.

In the spring-summer period, the bush is fertilized once every 7 days; in winter, fertilizing is reduced to once a month.

The fertilizer is diluted strictly according to the instructions.
During the growing season, the bush will need fertilizing with a high nitrogen content; during flowering it is fertilized with superphosphate.

Pollination

One of the ways to propagate Azaleas is by seed. Flowers must be pollinated to produce seeds.

If there simply cannot be any problems outdoors, then at home you will have to do pollination yourself. But there is nothing complicated in the process. A cotton swab or brush is ideal and is used to collect pollen from flower to flower.

If everything goes well, then seed pods will appear later, from which you can collect enough seeds.

First problems

The climate of most apartments does not suit the needs of the flower. Azalea, the care of which is already fraught with some difficulties, needs high humidity against a background of relatively low air temperatures.

In greenhouses, creating an optimal microclimate is quite simple, but in an apartment, dry and hot air destroys the largest and most persistent types of indoor flowers. Despite all the problems and difficulties, many fans of home floriculture are happy to purchase a bright shrub. Understanding what kind of care a plant needs at home, you can avoid most problems while enjoying the beauty of your green pet.

Diseases and pests

Leaf of an azalea affected by pests
Azaleas often experience leaf loss. The reasons may be either improper watering (both insufficient and excessive), or exposure of the leaves to the sun (then burns occur, and then the greenery dries out).

Among insects, Azalea is favored by spider mites and moths. You can combat them by treating them with soapy water or Bordeaux mixture.

Useful video:

How to resuscitate

In general, Azaleas are very capricious not only to the conditions surrounding them. If a flower begins to die, it is almost impossible to save it. Even if we correct ourselves and recreate the ideal microclimate, it will most likely be too late.

In case of sudden wilting, we can only advise saving some of the most surviving shoots by transplanting, for example, to another place. And after that, understand the cause of the problem and try not to repeat it.

And new shoots will grow quickly. With proper care, you can achieve the first flowers as early as next year.

Common mistakes

There are several of the most common mistakes that inexperienced gardeners make:

1. Azalea is bought for an apartment where it is impossible to find a cool place for it.
2. They prune the flower during flowering, but do not prune the plant after each flowering.
3. Spray the flowers with a spray bottle.
4. Do not change the location of the pot at different times of the year.
5. The bush is rarely replanted.

If you try to understand the basic conditions that Azalea values ​​​​so much, then the annual flowering will be long, and the plant will feel good and delight with a fresh, fragrant appearance at any time of the year.

Answers to popular questions

Why doesn't it grow well?

The reasons for poor growth most often lie in the lack of proper lighting. Perhaps the whole problem will go away if you add artificial light.

The problem may also lie in the fact that Azalea is not happy with the pot in which it is planted. Since the flower has a rather weak root system, it does not like deep containers or deep planting.

Finally, you should be more careful about watering. Apparently the plant does not have enough moisture. And don’t forget about periodic feeding. If in the cold season they are rare (once a month), then in summer and spring fertilizers should be applied more often: at least once every 2 weeks.

Why doesn't it produce new shoots?

In almost all cases, new shoots do not grow because the Azaleas are simply cramped in the pot. This flower loves space very much, so the container for it should not only be shallow, but also wide enough.

Azalea also does not grow well because it lacks moisture. In this case, we can recommend leaving containers of water next to the pot, which will gradually evaporate and humidify the air.

How often does it bloom?

If all conditions are met, the Azalea is ready to bloom every year, and the inflorescences can last up to six months.

It is believed that the peak of flowering occurs in the 3-4th year of the plant’s life. If you prune the bush correctly, the number of flowers can be especially large.

Indoor azalea: care features

Azalea is considered one of the most beautiful flowering plants. Modern varieties amaze the imagination with the number of colors and different shapes of petals. In winter, indoor azaleas decorate interiors with their bright flowers. Unfortunately, not everyone can grow it at home. Azaleas need proper care, and the plant will respond to care.

Azalea in a pot

Features of azalea

Azalea is a flowering shrub of the Ericaceae family. 600 species of wild azalea live wild in China, North America, Southeast Asia, Japan and southern Europe. Currently, breeders are breeding numerous hybrids based on crossing wild plants.

Externally, rhododendron is a compact branched bush. There are two types of azaleas commonly grown: Indian azalea and Japanese azalea. Small shrubs up to a height of 50 cm differ not only in the color of the petals, but also in the time of flowering and its duration.

Azalea (rhododendron) indoors

Indian has large flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, which can be of different colors, but most often the pink-red tone of the petals predominates.

This variety is often kept indoors.

Japanese azalea is a larger plant and is more suitable for keeping in the garden.

The indoor flower is easily adaptable and delights with long-lasting flowering. The plant is not afraid of cold; in the summer it can be planted in the garden and kept there until frost.

The most powerful feature of the azalea is its flowering. Available with white, red, yellow, pink, salmon petal shades. The leaves are lanceolate, their size is 2.5-3 cm. The flowers are collected in inflorescences of 2-6 pieces and are located in the axils of the leaves. The plant begins to bloom at the age of 3 years.

The flowering period lasts from January to April. At this time, the azalea looks very attractive, almost completely covering the leaves with bright flowers. The inflorescences have no smell.

Azalea Home Care Basics

This beautiful plant is not considered easy to care for. The composition of the soil, temperature, light, humidity - everything affects its life activity. Many plant lovers are disappointed after a purchase because the flowering of indoor azaleas lasted no more than one season. Plants quickly lose their beauty, flowers fall off very quickly and what remains is just a green plant.

This is due to improper care, usually in the wrong place. Many people do not know that azaleas need a cool place. At the same time, with proper care, they can become more beautiful year after year. Using simple rules, the azalea will bloom next winter season. With good care, the colorful flowering plant can live up to 30 years.

How to grow azaleas correctly? What should you pay attention to? She needs the right placement. These plants do especially well in a bright location without direct sunlight. The eastern window sill is considered the best place for a flower. Natural daylight is very short when azaleas bloom in winter. During this period, the flowers are additionally illuminated with fluorescent lamps.

There should be no drafts or too warm in the intended place. Everyone knows that azaleas thrive in cooler temperatures. Too warm, dry air does more harm to flowering. Do not place them in a room near a heater or other heat-emitting devices.

Of course, azaleas will live at temperatures of 20 ° C and above, but the ideal temperature for them is between 8 ° C and 18 ° C. With these values, the flower begins to bloom, and at this temperature the azalea will reward with rich flowers throughout the flowering period ( from December to early summer).

Ideally, you can keep the plant outdoors when there is no frost. From late September, when it gets too cold at night, azaleas should be brought indoors. You can often open the window to bring in cold air.

Note! Flowering of azaleas at low temperatures lasts two months, and in a warm room it is reduced to two weeks.

The soil

When growing azaleas, you must choose a special substrate. A prerequisite is that acidic, loose, light, fertile soil is required. The soil is not suitable for seedlings, as it contains a minimal amount of nutrients. The substrate must include coniferous soil, and the required acidity must correspond to the pH parameters of 3.5-5.5.

An acidic environment is necessary for the life of the roots, which supply the plant with nutrients during growth. An alkaline environment leads to the death of roots, and then to the destruction of the entire plant.

To prevent the soil from becoming alkaline, the azalea must be watered with soft water. Ideally, this should be melt or rain water, but you can soften regular tap water by adding a little apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. A high alkaline index of the soil prevents the absorption of phosphorus ions by the roots, which leads to poor flowering.

Watering

Azaleas need to be watered properly. Water them regularly and monitor the soil in the pot. The soil should always be slightly moist, it should not dry out, but also not turn into a swamp. If the azalea is not watered on time and then abundantly saturated with moisture, this leads to stress on the plant: the fall of buds and leaves.

Watering an azalea

How often to water azaleas? You need to be careful not to leave the soil dry, and at the same time not to overwater the flower. If it is difficult to determine the correct amount of water, it is recommended to pour water into a tray under the pot, wait until the roots have drunk, and pour out the rest of the water. Thus, water the flower every day or every other day. It depends on the soil moisture.

Note! In highly moist soil, thin roots rot and the plant may die.

High humidity is important for azaleas. Moisture content is low when central heating is on. You can place a flower pot on a tray with expanded clay or moss filled with water. You just need to make sure that the bottom of the pot does not stand in water.

You can also regularly spray the flower with a fine spray. Make sure that when spraying, moisture does not fall on the flowers and buds - this will lead to the formation of unsightly spots on them.

As for water quality, azaleas do not like hard water. It should not contain calcium salts, so you should choose soft water. Add a few drops of vinegar to boiled drinking water and use it.

Important! A symptom of lack of water is the falling of leaves - you should increase watering.

Feeding azaleas

In summer and spring, rhododendrons are fed once every 7 days, in autumn and winter - once a month. It is advisable to combine fertilizing with watering the plants once every ten days.

Additional Information ! Fertilizer is applied for the first time no earlier than three weeks after planting.

Fertilizers high in potassium and phosphorus are used to stimulate flowering. For the growth of new shoots, nitrogen must predominate in the fertilizer.

Like water, fertilizer should not contain calcium - it should be rich in potassium and iron. The presence of optimal amounts of iron and magnesium helps prevent the formation of leaf chlorosis.

Currently, ready-made forms of liquid fertilizers are offered, with the addition of micro-macroelements. They help create a strong root system and improve the decorative properties of the flowering crown.

Pruning azalea shoots

In order for the plant to be lush and beautiful, the basic rules for pruning plants are applied.

If you do not do formative pruning, the crown of the azalea will grow larger and larger, and the flower buds will become smaller and smaller. Up to five leaves remain on young shoots. If shoots form near the buds, they break off.

By constantly removing faded flowers during the flowering period, new flower buds will appear again. Flowers are cut half a centimeter below the base of the inflorescence.

Transplanting azaleas

After purchase, the plant must be replanted, but not immediately, but after acclimatization. You need to give him time to get used to the new conditions and only then transplant him. In addition, it is not recommended to replant flowering plants.

You can move it along with a lump of earth into a slightly larger container without damaging the roots - such a transplant will be painless for azaleas. The azalea's root system is shallow, so it makes no sense to have a deep pot when replanting. It should be larger than the previous diameter, wide, but not high, which provides air access to the roots of the plant.

While the azalea feels good in the old pot, it is not replanted. If the plant stops growing and the soil in the pot dries out quickly, this is a signal that it is time to replant.

Transplantation is carried out in the spring after flowering, if necessary. The most suitable substrate for growing azaleas is a special substrate designed specifically for them, and can be purchased at a special store. If there is no special soil, you can mix the substrate with pure peat.

After planting, the plant is irrigated with water and placed in a slightly shaded place. Once the azalea thickens and grows, you can return to normal care.

Azaleas propagation

Azaleas propagate well from cuttings. The seed method has not gained popularity; the process is ineffective and labor-intensive. As a rule, a large bush is divided when transplanting. It needs to be done like this.

Rhododendron cuttings photo

Pests and diseases of azaleas

A beautiful flower is susceptible to many pests. Among them are gray rot, rust, mites, and white flies. Parasites suck the sap from the plant. Industrial insecticides should be applied at the first sign of infestation.

Why isn't the azalea blooming?

The most likely reason is that the flower was exposed to high temperatures, which reduced the appearance of buds. Azalea does not bloom when it is affected by pests and diseases. Errors in care lead to the appearance of aphids, spider mites or whiteflies. Chlorosis is caused by improper irrigation water. All affected areas are cut back to healthy tissue. Azalea loses leaves due to lack of light. The plant is planted in unsuitable soil (lack of nutrients). Strict adherence to the life cycle under optimal temperature conditions is important for the plant.

• Summer is the easiest period to care for plants.
• In the cold autumn, the buds of future flowers are laid.
• Winter is the time to bloom.
• After flowering, the rhododendron begins its growing season.
• Time relax. There is no significant resting period for azaleas, unless you count the time when the plant is not flowering. But this is not entirely true, because the flower is constantly growing.

If you care for your azalea according to all the rules, it will bring aesthetic pleasure. With proper care, azaleas bloom constantly, which is why gardeners like them. Flowers on the bushes appear in winter, which increases their attractiveness.

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