Cultivation methods and precautions of azalea

1. Lighting

Rhododendron likes bright diffuse light, so it should be placed in a place with good diffuse light indoors, such as a study, living room, etc. If you keep it outdoors in the summer, you need to give it proper shade to avoid direct sunlight. You can pull a shade net or cover it with something.

2. Water

The roots of azalea are relatively shallow and very thin. When watering, be careful not to water too much to prevent water accumulation in the pot and cause root rot. Normally, just water it when you find the soil in the pot is slightly dry. When the temperature is high in summer, in addition to normal watering, you can also use a spray bottle to spray water on the leaves and around it. When spraying water, be sure not to spray it on the flowers. Once it is sprayed on the flowers, the flowering period will be shortened.

3. Soil

Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil, which can be mixed with leaf mold, garden soil and pine needles in a ratio of 5:2:3. If you use tap water for watering, it is best to leave it at room temperature for one to two days to allow the chlorine in the water to evaporate before using it. Especially for flower lovers in the north, because the soil is alkaline, you can add a little vinegar or ferrous sulfate when watering to improve the pH value of the soil.

4. Temperature

The suitable growth temperature for azalea is between 15-28℃. If the temperature is lower than 5℃ in winter, it will stop growing; if the temperature is higher than 30℃ in summer, it will also enter a short dormant period.

5. Fertilization

If you want azalea to grow vigorously and bloom more, apply more fertilizer during the peak growth period in spring and autumn. You can use fruit peel fertilizer or bean dregs fertilizer that you make yourself. You can spray it with a little potassium dihydrogen phosphate before flowering, but stop fertilizing when the temperature is too high or too low.

6. Notes

When watering, be sure to keep the soil in the pot slightly moist, and do not water too much or too little. When fertilizing in spring and autumn, be sure to apply thin fertilizers frequently. Never apply heavy fertilizers or raw fertilizers, as this can easily burn the roots.