Azalea cuttings hard to survive? Put a bag over them, and the flowers and leaves will grow vigorously

Cuttings propagation: propagating azaleas from cuttings is simple and has a high success rate. Spring and autumn are the best times. Layering propagation: generally, high branches are used for layering. Layering is usually done in April and May. Seed propagation: the vast majority of varieties can be propagated from seed. The seeds mature from October to January each year.

1. Cuttings propagation

This is the method used most often in daily life. Its advantage is that it is simple and has a high success rate. When propagating this way, the pot used for cuttings is best a new pot with a diameter of 20 cm, preferably made of clay. This is because such pots have good air permeability, making it easier for roots to grow. Spring and autumn are the best times for cuttings; a temperature of around 23°C favors survival. Before taking cuttings, spray the soil in the pot with water one day in advance, but do not make it too wet; the soil should be just moist at the time of cutting. Insert the cuttings to a depth of 3-4 cm in the soil. After the cuttings are done, cover the pot with a plastic bag and tie the opening tightly. Open the plastic bag when watering, then tie it firmly again after watering.

2. Layering propagation

Generally, high branches are used for layering. Layering is often done in April and May. First, take a relatively healthy and vigorous 2-3 year old branch from the mother plant, and use a small knife to cut off a ring of bark about 1 cm wide at a point about 10 cm up the branch. Then wrap the branch loosely with rectangular plastic film, tie it with string about 2 cm below the cut on the branch, open the upper end of the plastic film into a trumpet shape, and fill soil in from the top.

When water is lacking, you can water by spraying water on the leaves, letting the water run down along the branches and slowly seep into the soil, keeping the soil moist, so that the wound on the branch heals faster and new roots grow. After 3 months, when the new roots have grown to 3 cm long, it can be separated from the mother plant.

3. Seed propagation

The vast majority of varieties can be propagated from seed. The seeds mature from October to January each year. When the skin of the fruit changes from green to yellow and finally to brown, the upper part of the fruit splits open and the seeds begin to scatter; this is the time to collect the seeds. Sowing is usually done in March and April, in pots. Because the seeds are small, the pot should be washed clean and dried in the sun, and both the pot and the soil should be disinfected.