What is the best way to water potted azaleas (what is the best way to water azaleas in normal times)

What is the right water for azalea?

When watering azaleas, it is best to choose slightly acidic water and avoid using alkaline water . So if you grow azaleas in the city, you basically have to say goodbye to watering them with tap water.

Normally , it is best to use rainwater and river water to water azaleas , which are typical "acidic water". This will prevent the leaves of azaleas from turning yellow and wilting. So, when it comes to daily maintenance, what kind of water can we use for watering?

NO1, use slightly acidic water

Azaleas prefer slightly acidic water and avoid alkaline water. It is best to use soft water for watering . This is because inorganic salts such as calcium and magnesium contained in hard water often harm normal physiological activities. For example, rainwater, river water, lake water, pond water, etc. are called soft water , which are generally weakly acidic or neutral and suitable for watering flowers.

NO2. Use "trapped water"

Currently, tap water and deep well water are commonly used for growing flowers at home. These two types of water are mostly hard water and often contain chloride ions, which are not conducive to the growth of flowers.

If conditions permit, tap water should be poured into the tank and stored for 5 to 7 days before use , and the "trapped water" should be dried in a place with the same temperature as the azalea.

NO3, rice vinegar and water

Acid water means we need to adjust the soil, because azalea likes acidic soil , and when the soil becomes alkaline, the leaves of azalea will turn yellow.

We can use rice vinegar and water at a concentration of 1:500 to water it once, and then water it once a month . In this way, the soil will be alkaline, the iron in the soil can be absorbed, the yellow leaves will not occur, and the root system will grow well so that the flowers can bloom completely.

NO4. Fermented rice water

Because the fertilizer fermented from rice washing water is a slightly acidic fertilizer . Azalea itself is a flower from the south, and it likes acidic soil. So it is good to water it regularly with rice washing water as a fertilizer.

Moreover, the rice washing water itself is the water that removes a lot of cutin when we wash rice, which contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. These nutrients can replenish nutrients in a balanced manner and make the roots of azalea grow better.

So it can be used for a long time, as long as you give it 2 to 3 times a month regularly, as long as it grows and blooms continuously , it is guaranteed to grow well and bloom continuously.

How to water azalea potted plants to make them grow well

Don't water until it's dry

One of the keys to watering azaleas is not to water them unless they are dry. What is dry? This cannot be determined by just looking at the surface of the soil in the pot. More importantly, you should knock on the pot and listen to the sound. If the sound is dull, it is wet, and if the sound is crisp, it is dry.

Water thoroughly

What does it mean to water thoroughly? When planting azaleas, you should generally leave a 1-inch water hole. In most cases, as long as the water hole is filled, it will be thoroughly watered. However, if the soil is level with the pot mouth or the water hole is too shallow, it will be difficult to water thoroughly at once.

When the loam in some large pots dries, cracks appear around it, making it easy for water to escape. You can see water leaking from the bottom of the pot. But it only wets the upper layer and the surrounding area, and the soil in the pot is not thoroughly watered. At this time, you should water it one or two more times.

Different seasons

In spring and autumn, azaleas are in their growth period, so they must be adequately watered. Especially in spring, watering should be increased, and the leaves and ground should be sprayed frequently to maintain environmental humidity and reduce transpiration of water from the leaves.

In summer, the temperature is high and the water evaporates quickly, so you can water it once in the morning and evening. In winter, the physiological activity of azalea is greatly weakened, so it does not need too much water. Just keep the pot soil moist, which is beneficial for wintering.