Cultivation Methods and Techniques for Belgian Evergreen Azaleas

It is advisable to choose acidic soil for cultivation. You can use garden soil and leaf mold mixed with pond mud or bran cake, pile and compost them before use. If you can collect mountain soil rich in humus from forest valleys, that is even better.

The best planting time is winter and spring. Seedlings bought from the market or ordered by mail can be directly potted in early spring. When potting, first place a tile (plastic mesh is also acceptable) at the bottom of the pot, add potting soil, and then plant the seedling. Do not plant too deep; covering 1 cm-2 cm of soil above the roots is sufficient. After planting, water thoroughly immediately, then place it in a shaded area for care.

Because Belgian evergreen azaleas are not very tolerant of fertilizer, during the growing season it is enough to water once or twice a month with extremely dilute soybean residue water or bran cake water. It is best to use less chemical fertilizer to avoid damaging the roots and affecting growth. If the leaves are not sufficiently dark green, you can water once or twice with 1% ferrous sulfate solution, and the leaves will turn green. For potted seedlings, water only after the potting soil has dried, and water thoroughly each time. The best time to water is in the evening, followed by early morning. The water temperature for watering flowers must be close to the air temperature, and the temperature difference must not exceed 5°C, to benefit the plant's growth. For watering flowers, river water and rainwater are best. If using tap water, it should be left standing in a jar for 24 hours until the chlorine in the water evaporates before use.