How to grow azaleas? A detailed guide to the latest cultivation methods
Azalea, also known as shanzhizhu, shanshiliu, or yingshanhong, is a deciduous shrub in the family Ericaceae. There are about 900 species of azaleas worldwide, and China is the country with the most azalea distribution, with about 530 species. Azaleas come in a wide variety of types with brilliant flower colors, and both their flowers and leaves are beautiful. They are suitable for both ground planting and pot cultivation, and are one of China's ten traditional famous flowers.
Soil requirements
To make azaleas bloom beautifully, you must first understand the soil of their growing environment: the pH value should be between 5.5 and 6.5, and alkaline or clayey soil must be avoided. The suitable growing temperature is 12°C to 25°C. In summer, shade them from the sun; in winter, protect them from freezing and keep them warm, and it is best to move them indoors. Following the details introduced above and cultivating them carefully, the azaleas will surely bloom very beautifully. Azaleas like fertile soil. Acidic humus soil formed from decaying dead branches and fallen leaves accumulated over many years is most suitable for cultivating azaleas. Clay has poor permeability and poor drainage, so it should not be used; in particular, soil containing lime must never be used.
Fertilization methods
When applying supplementary fertilizer, do not use alkaline fertilizer water. Burying rancid fats such as lard into the soil can make azaleas grow vigorously, bloom more, and produce brighter flower colors. Use nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers correctly. With sufficient nitrogen fertilizer, the leaves are deep green and growth is vigorous. With insufficient nitrogen fertilizer, the leaf color is pale and lusterless, the leaves are thin and aged-looking, the branches are short, small, and weak, and the flowers are few and small; too much nitrogen fertilizer, however, will cause excessive vegetative growth. With sufficient phosphorus fertilizer, the plant is strong, bears many flowers, and the flower colors are gorgeous. With insufficient phosphorus, there are few branches and they are weak, the petals are thin, and the flowering period is short. When potassium fertilizer is lacking, azalea branches are slender and the tissues are soft. Apply somewhat more nitrogen and potassium fertilizer when the plant is young, and somewhat more phosphorus fertilizer when it is mature. If the soil has already become alkaline, causing the leaves to lose green and turn yellow-white, additional ferrous sulfate should be applied. Fertilizer water should not be too concentrated. Apply thin fertilizer frequently. Liquid fertilizer that is too concentrated will burn the root system and harm the plant.
Water requirements
1. Azaleas fear both dryness and waterlogging. If the azalea's potting soil is too dry, the root tips will shrink, and first the leaves will droop or curl, after which the tips of the young leaves will turn scorched yellow; in severe cases, they cannot recover for a long time and gradually wither and die. If the potting soil is too wet, aeration is poor, causing root rot; in mild cases the leaves turn yellow and fall early, and growth stops, while in severe cases the plant dies.
2. If the azalea's potting soil is too dry and the roots are damaged, the remedy is to soak the whole pot and roots in water, place it in a cool place, and spray the leaves with water several times. If excessive moisture has caused yellow leaves to fall early, place the affected plant in a ventilated place, control the frequency and amount of watering, and stop fertilizing to prevent infection by pests and diseases.
3. Azaleas like a humid environment, so some water should often be sprinkled around the pot and on the leaf surfaces to keep the surrounding environment moist. If the surrounding environment is dry, azaleas are very prone to disease. The remedy is to place the diseased azalea in a pit under grapevines or similar trees, cover it well with glass, spray water frequently in the pit, and let slanting light shine through the grape branches and leaves; the diseased plant will slowly return to normal.