King of Woody Flowers: Do Azaleas Have Seeds? Prices, Sowing Times, and Planting Methods Explained
Azalea, also known as shan zhizhu, shan shiliu, yingshanhong, zhaoshanhong, and Tang azalea, is a common evergreen shrub in southern China. It is the provincial flower of Guizhou, Anhui, and Jiangxi, and because of its high ornamental value it is cultivated indoors, in parks, and elsewhere. So do azaleas have seeds? How much does the seed generally cost per jin? When is the best time to plant? How do you plant them?
Do they have seeds?
Yes. With many plants we do not easily see fruit, but this is generally because of the variety, the species, and the growing environment, so fruit cannot form. In fact, crossbreeding is still the main means by which garden plants are developed into new varieties, and azaleas are no exception. If there were no seeds, how would new varieties be obtained through crossbreeding? With some flowers, in fact, as long as artificial pollination is carried out, you will find that they can also bear fruit, and among azaleas, wild varieties bear fruit in great numbers.
Latest seed prices:
The market price of azalea seeds is about 35 yuan to 60 yuan per kilogram. The market price of azalea seeds varies from region to region, so when buying, the local price should be taken as the standard.
Planting time:
Sowing is generally carried out in pots in a moderate-temperature greenhouse from March to April. At a room temperature of 15°C, seedlings emerge in 2-3 weeks. When 3 true leaves have grown, transplant once. After autumn, they can be potted and set out, and they bloom after 4-5 years. Sowing: azaleas set fruit heavily, produce many seeds, and have a high germination rate, so planting can yield large numbers of offspring, and the seedlings of the yellow azalea (Rhododendron molle) have strong plasticity and vitality, making sowing an important means of introduction and breeding.
Planting techniques:
1. Seed germination techniques:
Capsules and clean seeds of the yellow azalea (Rhododendron molle) stored at room temperature or low temperature (4°C) for more than 3 months were cultivated by the petri dish germination method and the flower pot seedling method. The results showed that clean seeds stored at low temperature and grown by the petri dish germination method had a germination rate as high as 96%. The germinated seeds were transplanted into flower pots and covered with about 1 cm of humus soil. The seedlings grew robustly and uniformly, with a relatively high survival rate. From October to March of the following year, the yellow azalea seedlings were placed in a greenhouse at 20-25°C, and from April to September they were placed outdoors. The growth rate of the seedlings increased, and in winter they were able to grow normally without dropping their leaves.
Seed collection: In autumn, when the capsules turn greenish brown or yellowish brown, they can be harvested. Leave them indoors to dry, and once they split open, shake out the seeds and store them in a dry place indoors. Sow the following spring.
2. Sowing
Use a shallow pot, a wooden box, or a ground bed, with well-drained coarse-grained soil as the bottom layer for the yellow azalea, and a 2 cm surface layer of orchid soil or leaf mold (both must be sterilized). After the seeds are scattered evenly, cover them thinly with a layer of fine soil. Alternatively, spread 0.5-1 cm of crushed sphagnum on top of the orchid soil and sow the seeds directly into the sphagnum without covering them. Then water to moisten the pot soil, cover with plastic film or a glass pane, and place in a shaded spot.
3. Management
Before emergence, keep the pot soil moist. Generally at 15-20°C, seedlings emerge in about 20 days, with a germination rate of 75-85%. After that, the covering can be removed, and attention should be paid to ventilation to improve the resistance of the seedlings. When dry, spray with a fine nozzle to moisten; do not wash the seedlings over.
4. Seedling separation
Deciduous azaleas grow relatively quickly. When 2-3 true leaves have grown, they can be transplanted for the first time, with a plant spacing of 2-3 cm. After autumn, when they have grown to 2-3 cm tall, dig them up again and transplant them into 3-inch small pots, 3 plants per pot. The following year, divide and plant again according to growth conditions, and generally flowers can be seen in 3-4 years. Evergreen azaleas are transplanted for the first time after autumn, and transplanted again the following autumn. During the seedling stage, strong light, heavy rain, and strong wind should be avoided; the soil should not be too wet, and watering should still be done by spraying.