Cultivation methods and precautions of azalea

1. Environment

It is best to grow azaleas in both indoor and outdoor environments. Azaleas can spend the winter indoors in a sunny and well-ventilated place. In other seasons, place it outdoors, preferably on a muddy ground. The site should be as spacious as possible and provide adequate shade.

2. Potting soil

Rhododendrons prefer loose, permeable soil with good drainage and a pH value between 5 and 6. Try not to use clay or alkaline soil. Especially some varieties such as summer azalea and western azalea can only be grown in mountain soil.

3. Flower Pots

There are usually two types of pots for azaleas: clay pots and purple sand pots.

Clay pots have better air permeability and water permeability, and are mostly used for outdoor maintenance.

For shaped azaleas, especially those that have already been shaped, beautiful and elegant purple clay pots are usually chosen. Zisha pots have a delicate texture, rich colors and beautiful shapes, which can double their ornamental value.

4. Watering

It is best to use rainwater for azaleas, followed by river water and pond water. But now most families choose tap water. The tap water can be left for 1 to 2 days to allow the chlorine to evaporate before use. A small amount of ferrous sulfate can be added when watering. Water once every 7 to 10 days during the growing season. Regular use can keep the soil acidic.

5. Notes

(1) Afraid of dryness, wetness and heavy fertilizer. The roots of azalea are as thin as hair, and very few of them are thick. Therefore, if you water them too much, the roots will be soaked in water; if you water them too little, the branches and leaves will shrink; if you fertilize them too much, the fertilizer will cause serious damage and endanger their lives.

(2) Location The placement of azaleas is very particular. They are usually placed on a southeast balcony, and they should be ventilated frequently and moved less often. Different winds can easily lead to black spot disease and massive leaf fall.

(3) Prune promptly. After the flowers fade, prune the remaining flowers in time, cut off diseased, damaged and overgrown branches to avoid nutrient consumption, and clean up the remaining flowers and leaves on the surface of the potting soil. After new branches sprout, thin out the buds and leaves in time, and cut off some of the buds and branches that grow too densely to ensure air circulation.

(4) Repot and change the soil. Azalea grows relatively slowly and does not need to be repotted every year, once every 2 to 3 years is enough. When repotting, do not damage the roots and replace half of the soil with new soil. The time to change the soil is after the flowers fade or in autumn. After changing the soil, spray thiophanate-methyl solution to prevent diseases and pests.

(5) Provide shade. As the weather gets warmer, flower lovers will move azaleas outdoors (or to the balcony) for maintenance. They should be exposed to more sunlight from the time they are taken out of the house to the time they bloom. During the flowering period, short-term shading is required, with 40% shading.