How to care for a newly bought azalea so it survives easily

1. Emergency stage

Because the azalea you buy was grown in a greenhouse, and the home environment is quite different from it, dehydration easily occurs, meaning the flowers wilt and the leaves droop. So at this time we need to give it plenty of water, setting aside the issue of blooming, so that it does not die.

The first thing to do is water it thoroughly, and the second is to mist it heavily. Misting can raise the root's capacity to cope, because the root has many functions to bear, and only in this way can we ensure its water uptake in the shortest time. Because its leaves are relatively thin and the waxy layer is not pronounced, it absorbs water quite quickly, so the effect shows within just a few hours.

2. Adaptation stage

If it is no longer severely dehydrated, that does not mean we can care for the newly bought azalea easily. To let it adapt to the dry environment indoors, we need to give it some time. Generally at this point we should gradually reduce how often we mist it, so it can withstand a low-humidity environment, and during this period we need to work out for ourselves the frequency and amount of watering it should get, which of course also depends on factors such as its potting soil, drainage and season. As long as watering is successfully worked out, its growth and so on will basically be normal.

3. Normal stage

Generally this stage is very easy: as long as we water it according to the pattern we worked out in the second stage, it can grow normally. But in fact we can also give it a set amount of water every day, which is simpler and means we do not need to bother checking its moisture every day, and we can also follow other people's experience: generally keeping the soil moist keeps it in a healthy state, and it will grow quite luxuriantly.

If we water a set amount every day and the soil still gets drier and drier, then we need a bit more; if water accumulates more and more, that means we should use less. In addition, we need to note that using this method has a prerequisite: its soil must drain very well and be loose. If the root ball is already good when you bring it home, then you can water a set amount directly.