How to grow Western azaleas? The latest cultivation methods and precautions
The Western azalea is a flower with a very alluring appearance. It has fiery red petals that are large and curled, and possesses extremely high ornamental value. Among flowers it can be called one of the top ‘flower maidens’, and is hailed as the king of woody flowering plants. This flower has a very long blooming period and is deeply loved by people. So how do you grow Western azaleas? What are some good cultivation methods? What are some things to watch out for? Follow Shuashuai below and take a look!
I. Cultivation methods for Western azaleas
1. The best time to water is in the morning and evening. In the hot summer, it is not suitable to water at noon; watering at this time is actually harmful, because after the flower's roots are stimulated by the suddenly cold water, the plant will be damaged. Watering should follow a few principles: do not water if the soil is not dry; once it is found to be dry and whitish, water it thoroughly; absolutely do not make a habit of watering only halfway. In spring and autumn, watering should be increased appropriately, because this is the period of growth, blooming and bud development for the azalea, and the water supply must keep up with its growth rhythm, but it should not be watered heavily either. Too much water will make the flowers wither early. During the growing season, watering once every 3 days is sufficient.
2. When new branches sprout in summer, more water is consumed, and because the air is dry and the temperature is high, 1-2 full waterings are needed each day. Sometimes when it does not rain for several days in a row and the potting soil becomes dry, we should spray more water on the ground around the pot, which can increase the surrounding air humidity.
3. After the beginning of autumn, the temperature is somewhat low, the air is relatively dry, and evaporation is also high, so the potting soil should be watered frequently to keep it moist. After the pot is moved indoors in October, the amount of watering should be gradually reduced.
4. As for light, Western azaleas prefer warm and bright conditions, but cannot be in a scorching environment. The optimal growing temperature is kept at 12-25 degrees, among which 18-25 degrees is best from April to September, and 12-8 degrees is best by March of the following year. For soil, choose a looser leaf mold, preferably slightly acidic soil.
II. Precautions for growing Western azaleas
Applying fertilizer: During the growth period of Western azaleas, apply fertilizer once every half month. The azalea's root system is very fine, so the fertilizer concentration must not be too strong; otherwise the plant will not only fail to absorb it, but the branches and leaves will also scorch, and it may even die. In winter, the temperature must not be lower than 15 degrees, otherwise the plant's growth will be affected. In summer, when temperatures are high, fertilization should be stopped.
Repotting the soil: You do not need to change the potting soil every year. Replace it once every two to three years, and try not to damage the roots. You can repot it together with a clump of soil. The time is after the flowers fade or in autumn.
The above are the cultivation methods and precautions for Western azaleas. Growing Western azaleas is not difficult. You may have noticed that I wrote a lot in the watering section. That's right, Western azaleas are very particular about watering. If your watering cycle, the amount of water, and the timing of each watering are not right, it will affect their growth. So friends who want to grow them well must get the watering right!