The queen of flowers is perfect for summer cuttings, rooting in just 2 weeks, and makes an excellent potted plant for the home

Summer is here, and many potted flowers do not grow particularly well because of the high summer temperatures. If you want to take flower cuttings in summer, you may worry that the heat makes rooting difficult. But there really are flowers suited to summer cuttings, and that flower is the azalea.

The azalea is a famous Chinese flower, worthy of the title queen of flowers, with numerous flower colors and enchanting shapes. The azalea's blooming period is in April-May, and this is exactly when the azalea's blooming period ends, making the branches at this time ideal for cuttings, while the hot, humid summer environment is also suitable for azalea cuttings to root.

First we need to choose healthy, thick branches; the leaves at the bottom can be removed, each branch should be about 5 cm long, and just a few leaves should be kept. The cuttings should have some carbendazim applied to the wounds for sterilization and disinfection, then be placed in a ventilated, breathable, shaded spot to let the wounds dry.

The soil we use for azalea cuttings must never be garden soil used directly; coal ash, turf ash and fine sand can be mixed and used for azalea cuttings. Before cutting, moisten the soil first, and note this: the potting soil only needs to be moist, never spray so much water that it causes water to accumulate at the bottom of the pot.

During cutting, do not expose them to direct strong sunlight; a cool, ventilated place is enough. To encourage faster rooting, we can cover them with a layer of plastic film, but a few small holes must be poked in the film for ventilation. Spray water on them every day to keep the soil moist, and generally they will root after two weeks. Once the rooted branches are transplanted, they will grow into a large pot of azaleas.

Note that before rooting, never pinch them with your hands to check whether they have rooted. Flower lovers who enjoy growing flowers can try this cutting method, and if you have any other flower-growing experience, you can also share it with everyone in the comment box below!