What are the cultivation methods and precautions for azaleas

Azalea, also known as yingshanhong and shanshiliu, is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub that generally blooms in spring, with lush and gorgeous flower colors. Azaleas have always been a relatively popular flower, and many people must have cultivated azaleas, but many people may not be very clear about the cultivation methods and precautions for azaleas. Below, the editor will introduce the relevant techniques and precautions for cultivating azaleas to everyone.

Growth Conditions

Azaleas grow in sparse mountain shrublands or under pine forests at an altitude of 500-2500 m. They like acidic soil and grow poorly, or even not at all, in calcareous soil. Therefore, soil scientists often use azaleas as an indicator crop for acidic soil.

Azaleas like a cool, humid, ventilated, semi-shaded environment. They fear both intense heat and severe cold. The suitable growth temperature is 12°C to 25°C. When the summer temperature exceeds 35°C, the growth of new shoots and new leaves slows down, and the plant enters a semi-dormant state. In summer, sun protection and shading are needed, and in winter, attention should be paid to keeping warm and preventing cold.

Avoid exposure to scorching sun. They are suitable for growing under scattered light with low light intensity. If the light is too strong, tender leaves are easily scorched, and the edges of new and old leaves burn, which in severe cases can lead to plant death. In winter, azaleas cultivated in the open ground need measures to prevent cold so they can overwinter safely. Among ornamental azaleas, Western azaleas have the weakest cold resistance, and are prone to freezing damage when the temperature drops below 0°C.

Potting Soil Requirements

Azaleas like loose, highly permeable, well-drained acidic soil rich in humus, with a pH value of 5.0—6.0. If clay or alkaline soil is used, hardly one in a hundred will survive. In particular, summer azaleas and foreign azaleas must have mountain soil. Mountain soil also needs to be improved. At present, three commonly used prepared culture soils are generally adopted:

1. Mix 7 parts mountain soil, 1 part dried moss grass debris, 2 parts dry leaf mold, and 1 part dry fertilizer.

2. Layer 3 parts mountain surface soil (topsoil), 3 parts horse manure, 3 parts fallen leaves and weeds, and 1 part human feces and urine for composting, then sieve after 1—2 years for later use.

3. Mix 3 parts mountain soil, 3 parts leaf mold, 4 parts garden soil, and 2 parts sandy soil, and add 50 grams of sesame paste residue and bone meal per pot.

Flower Pot Selection

For flower pots used to cultivate azaleas, according to the purpose, generally two kinds are chosen: clay pots and purple clay pots. Clay pots have good air permeability and water permeability, which is beneficial to root growth, and production units all use this kind of pot for cultivation. For formed azaleas, especially azaleas that have already been shaped, for indoor and outdoor display, they are generally planted in beautiful and elegant purple clay pots. Purple clay pots are fine in texture, rich in color, and beautiful in shape, which can double their ornamental value. The permeability of purple clay pots is not as good as that of clay pots. When planting, broken tile pieces (old tile pieces) should be placed around the inner walls of the pot to help drainage.

The size of the selected pot should depend on the age of the plant. Generally, 4—6-year-old plants use 5-inch pots, 7—10-year-old plants use 6-inch pots, 11—15-year-old plants use 8-inch pots, and so on.

Fertilizer and Water Management

For watering azaleas, rainwater is best, followed by river water and pond water. If tap water is used, it is advisable to store the water for 1—2 days to let the chlorine volatilize before use. Note to add 0.2% ferrous sulfate when using it. During the growing season, water once every 7—10 days. Use it regularly to ensure the soil is acidic. Azaleas like shade and moisture and should not be too dry. During the flowering period, even more water is needed.

① In winter, azaleas have entered the dormant period, and the water requirement is not much. Generally, water once every 4—5 days, preferably around noon on clear and warm days. Specifically, water appropriately according to the dryness of the pot soil.

② In March, azaleas take root and sprout, and the water requirement increases accordingly. The growth and development of summer azaleas are slightly later, and the amount of watering should be less than that of spring azaleas. Generally, water appropriately once every 2 days in the morning.

③ From April to June, azaleas bloom one after another, and branches and leaves also begin to sprout. The water requirement is relatively large, so generally water once every morning or evening.

④ In the high-temperature and dry season from July to early September, water once in the morning and once in the evening. The amount of water should not be too much, and at noon spray water on the leaf surfaces and ground to maintain a humid environment.

⑤ From mid-September to November, the weather gradually turns cooler, which is the adaptation period for azalea growth. In order to prevent the growth of autumn shoots and enhance cold resistance for overwintering, the amount of watering should be reduced appropriately. Generally, water once every other day in the early morning, and keeping it moist is enough. Azaleas relatively like fertilizer. Generally, decomposed cake fertilizer, fish meal, broad bean, or Chinese milk vetch, etc., are rotted and then mixed with water for irrigation. Human feces and urine should be avoided. After leaving the room and before the flower buds open, apply a thin fertilizer once every 10 days at a concentration of 15%, for a total of 2—3 times, to promote the old leaves turning green and the sprouting of new roots. After the flowers fade, in order to promote branch and leaf growth, apply fertilizer 5—6 times from mid-May to early July. If it rains continuously, dry fertilizer can be applied. Before being moved indoors, before the growth of azaleas is about to stop, fertilizer should be applied 1—2 times.

Outdoor Shading

1. Before being moved outdoors and before blooming, it is suitable to receive more sunlight.

2. During the flowering period, short-term shading should be carried out at noon, with a light transmittance of 60%.

3. During the plum rain period from June to early July, which is exactly the period when azaleas sprout leaves and branches, they should receive as much sunlight as possible. But in strong sunlight, shading should still be provided from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to prevent scorching new leaves.

4. From mid-July to early September, shade from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day to prevent scorching sunlight.

5. In the autumn growth period after September, the shading time can be shortened. Generally, shade from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

6. After October, it is suitable to receive more sunlight.

Shaping and Pruning

Azaleas grow relatively slowly, and are generally allowed to grow naturally. Shaping is only carried out after flowering, cutting off leggy branches, diseased and weak branches, deformed branches, and damaged branches.

The cultivation methods for azaleas have basically been introduced to everyone. Next, let us continue to look at the pest and disease control methods and precautions during the cultivation of azaleas!