What fertilizer to use for azalea? How to fertilize azalea

1. Base fertilizer

Base fertilizer is usually mixed into the substrate when planting or repotting azaleas. Usually, a compound fertilizer with a balanced ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is chosen. The fertilizer should not be too concentrated, because the plants at this time need to be slowed down, and concentrated fertilizer will be detrimental to their growth, so it must be diluted before use.

2. Fertilize before flowering

Before flowering, adequate fertilizer can increase the number of flowers and also help the quality of flowering. At this time, the main fertilizer is phosphorus fertilizer, and a small amount of potassium fertilizer is added to improve the resistance of the plant. Apply little or no nitrogen fertilizer, otherwise it will cause excessive growth and hinder flowering.

3. Fertilization during flowering period

Generally, no fertilizer is needed during the flowering period. At this time, it will absorb nutrients from the soil and does not require additional fertilizer. Improper fertilization may shorten the flowering period or even cause the flower buds to wither.

4. Fertilize after flowering

After flowering is another important time period for fertilizing. Since azalea consumes a lot of nutrients when it blooms, it needs to be supplemented with a certain amount of nitrogen fertilizer. It enters a semi-dormant period in summer and no fertilizer is needed at this time. But in August and September, it will resume growing, and at this time phosphorus fertilizer should be applied every 15 days. Stop fertilizing after winter.