Winter Care Methods and Precautions for Azalea Bonsai
Azaleas have relatively high ornamental value, and once made into bonsai they can be placed not only in courtyards but also indoors. The azalea's tree form is elegant, but its care is rather troublesome, especially in the cold winter. How can you get an azalea bonsai safely through the winter? The editor will now introduce the winter care techniques for azalea bonsai.
Azalea bonsai
1. Regulating temperature:Different types of azaleas have different temperature requirements, so they must be treated differently. Spring azaleas, summer azaleas and hairy azaleas are relatively cold-tolerant; as long as the room temperature is not below 0°C, they will basically not suffer cold damage. Western azaleas, however, should be kept at a room temperature above 2°C to overwinter safely; if the room temperature cannot reach this, heating is needed, such as using lights, stove fires and other cold protection measures, otherwise the plant's leaves will become scorched and even freeze to death. The optimal temperature for azalea bonsai to overwinter is 8-10°C.
2. Mastering humidity:In winter, azalea bonsai is in a semi-dormant state, and water absorption and leaf transpiration are correspondingly reduced, so watering too frequently and keeping the potting soil too wet can easily lead to root rot. Therefore, every 5-7 days, at noon, water thoroughly with water stored indoors (snow water or rainwater is best), and normally the bonsai should be placed in a spot with ample sunlight.
3. Moderate fertilization:Although azaleas do not need fertilization in winter, one base fertilizer application during January is indispensable. Use spent oil cake or soybean cake meal mixed with a small amount of bone meal as the base fertilizer, applied dry at some distance from the stump roots. Usually the hole application method is used, and the amount applied depends on the size of the tree stump; after application, cover with soil to level the hole. This base fertilizer allows the tree to absorb it gradually, helping it grow strong branches and lush leaves and produce brilliant flowers the following year.
4. Shaping and pruning:Azalea bonsai should be shaped by moderately binding with metal wire or palm fiber according to the original form and posture of the tree. Do not wire too heavily: first, to prevent bud drop (in spring azaleas), and second, to avoid cracking that causes dead branches and disrupts the overall balance of the tree's vigor. Winter pruning mainly consists of thinning out or cutting back dense branches, leggy branches, diseased and weak branches and other branches that do not contribute to the shape. In addition, spring azaleas have already formed flower buds in winter; appropriately thinning out excessive, overly dense, and thin, small, weak buds helps concentrate the plant's nutrients and can also extend the flowering period.
[Azalea bonsai pictures] How to care for potted azaleas
In real life, everyone understands that most flowers are very fragile; during the growing period, a little wind and rain may cause them to wither before they even reach flowering time, so many flowers need careful tending, and azaleas are one of them. In our modern home decor, azaleas often appear in the form of bonsai. So how should this azalea bonsai be cared for? Below let us look at azalea bonsai pictures and at the same time learn about azalea bonsai care knowledge.
Introduction to azaleas
Azalea, also called yingshanhong or wild pomegranate, is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub of the genus Rhododendron in the family Ericaceae, and is a very common plant flower in our real life. Generally, azaleas bloom in spring, and each time they bloom, the corolla is funnel-shaped and the flower colors are rich and vivid, mainly red, light red, apricot red, lilac and white, and so on. The flowers are gorgeous and distinctive, so they have been greatly loved by people from ancient times to the present. In addition, azaleas have high ornamental value, and their corolla color is bright red, so they are often cultivated as ornamental plants in major parks for people to enjoy.
How to care for azalea bonsai
1. Planting and soil
Azalea is a very delicate plant flower, so in daily care, if improper care occurs, the plant is very likely to show the pattern of "flowers the first year, yellowing the second year, and leaves all fallen by the third year," which troubles people greatly. So how exactly should this azalea be cared for? Usually, azaleas are cared for by pot cultivation, so from the very beginning everyone should pay attention to the planting and soil issues in azalea care. Generally, azaleas are planted in early spring or late autumn, when the environment is good and favorable for azalea growth, and the soil should be acidic soil that is loose, airy and well-draining.
2. Temperature and watering
Azaleas like cool conditions and fear heat, like moisture and fear waterlogging, so in daily care more attention must be paid to the plant's temperature and watering issues. In terms of temperature, the suitable growing temperature for azaleas is between 15 and 25°C; the highest temperature it can tolerate is 32°C, and the lowest is 5°C. When the temperature is too high or too low, it is very unfavorable for the plant's normal growth, and the plant may stop growing or die. Second, in terms of watering, azaleas have relatively high demand and need watering once every 2 or 3 days; in summer, when water demand is high, this can be appropriately increased, but be careful never to use alkaline water, and the water temperature must not be too cold.
3. Fertilizing and pruning
Usually azaleas do not have a great demand for fertilizer during growth, but sufficient nutrients are more favorable for plant growth, especially in late spring and early summer, that is, when azaleas bloom, when the plant needs a large amount of nutrients. You can topdress once every half month; in summer's high temperatures or winter's low temperatures, fertilization can be stopped. Note, however, that azaleas like fertilizer but cannot take concentrated fertilizer; too much fertilizer is also unfavorable for plant growth. In addition, daily pruning of azaleas is also necessary. Prune according to the shape of the crown, cutting out excess dense branches or dead branches, diseased branches and the like, which is more conducive to maintaining the beauty of the azalea bonsai.
Conclusion: Azalea is a very delicate plant flower and is quite sensitive to its surroundings, so when growing it in pots everyone must put in extra care, so that the final result may be one that everyone is relatively satisfied with.
Fertilization management for potted azaleas
Azalea is a relatively common potted flower in our daily life, also known as yingshanhong or wild pomegranate, and is an evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub. Many flower lovers like azaleas very much, yet do not know how to grow beautiful azaleas. The editor will now introduce the fertilization issues concerning potted azaleas, and interested friends can study along.
Azalea
Azaleas like shade and moisture and should not be too dry. During the flowering period they especially need more water. In winter, azaleas have entered dormancy and do not need much water; generally water once every 4-5 days, preferably around noon on clear, warm days. The specific amount can be adjusted according to how dry the potting soil is. In March, azaleas send out roots and sprout, and water demand increases accordingly. Summer azaleas grow and develop somewhat later, so the amount of watering should be less than for spring azaleas. Generally water once every 2 days in the morning in an appropriate amount. From April to June, azaleas bloom one after another and branches and leaves also begin to sprout, so water demand is relatively large; generally water once every morning or evening. In the hot, dry season from July to early September, water once in the morning and once in the evening, but the amount should not be too much, and at noon spray water on the leaves and ground to maintain a moist environment. From mid-September to November, the weather gradually turns cool, which is an adaptation period for azalea growth; to prevent the growth of autumn shoots and enhance cold resistance for overwintering, the amount of watering should be appropriately reduced. Generally water once every other morning and just keep it moist. Azaleas relatively like fertilizer; generally use rotted cake fertilizer, fish meal, broad bean or Chinese milk vetch and the like, which after decomposing are mixed with water and used to water the plants. Do not use human excrement or urine. After the plants are brought out of the house and before the flower buds open, apply a light fertilizer once every 10 days at a concentration of 15%, for a total of 2-3 applications, to prompt the old leaves to turn green and new roots to sprout. After the flowers fade, in order to promote branch and leaf growth, fertilize 5-6 times from mid-May to early July. If it rains continuously, dry fertilizer can be applied. Before the plants are brought indoors, just before azalea growth is about to stop, fertilize 1-2 times.