How to grow Western azaleas? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and precautions
The Western azalea is a flower with a very gorgeous appearance. It has fiery red flower colors and large, curled petals, with extremely high ornamental value. It can be considered one of the top 'flower girls' in the floral world, and is known as the king of woody flowers. This flower has a long flowering period and is deeply loved by people. So how do you grow Western azaleas? What good cultivation methods are there? What are the points to pay attention to? Follow Shuaishuai below and take a look!
I. Cultivation methods for Western azaleas
1. The best time for watering is in the morning and evening. In hot summer, it is not suitable to water at noon. Watering at this time is harmful, because after the roots of the flower are stimulated by the sudden cold water, the flower will be damaged. Watering should follow a few principles: do not water if the soil is not dry; once it is found to be dry and whitish, water thoroughly; absolutely do not get into the habit of watering only halfway. In spring and autumn, watering should be increased appropriately, because this is the period of growth, flowering, and bud development for the azalea, and the water supply must keep up with its growth rhythm, but it should not be watered too heavily. Too much water will make the flowers wither early. During the growing period, watering once every 3 days is enough.
2. When new branches sprout in summer, more water is consumed, and because the air is dry and the temperature is high, it is necessary to water enough 1-2 times a day. Sometimes when it does not rain for several days in a row and the potting soil becomes dry, we should spray more water on the ground around the pot soil, which can increase the surrounding air humidity.
3. After the beginning of autumn, the temperature is a bit low, the air is relatively dry, and evaporation is also high, so it is necessary to water the potting soil frequently to keep it moist. After the flower pot is moved indoors in October, the amount of watering should be slowly reduced,
4. In terms of light, Western azaleas prefer warm and light conditions, but they should not be placed in a scorching environment. The optimal growing temperature is kept at 12-25 degrees, among which 18-25 degrees is optimal from April to September, and 12-8 degrees is optimal until March of the following year. For the soil, choose a looser leaf mold soil, preferably slightly acidic soil.
II. Precautions for growing Western azaleas
Fertilizer application: During the growth period of Western azaleas, apply fertilizer once every half month. The root system of azaleas is very fine, so the concentration of fertilizer must not be too high, otherwise the plant will not only be unable to absorb it, but it will also cause the branches and leaves to scorch, or even die. In winter, the temperature must not be lower than 15 degrees, otherwise it will affect the growth of the plant. In summer, when the temperature is high, fertilization should be stopped.
Potting soil replacement: It is not necessary to replace the potting soil every year. Replace it once every two to three years, and try not to damage the roots. It can be replaced together with a clump of soil. The time is after the flowers fade or in autumn.
The above are the cultivation methods and precautions for Western azaleas. Growing Western azaleas is not difficult. You may have noticed that I wrote a lot in the watering section. That is right, Western azaleas are very particular about watering. If your watering cycle, watering amount, and the timing of each watering are not right, it will affect its growth. So friends who want to grow them well must water them properly!