Scientific Management Methods and Key Care Points for Azaleas

Azaleas prefer scattered light and a cool, humid climate, and fear scorching sun exposure. Therefore, suitable conditions of light, temperature and humidity should be adjusted for scientific management. At the same time, special attention should be paid to the acidification treatment of soil and water quality.

After the beginning of autumn, once the nighttime temperature drops below ten degrees Celsius, move them indoors to a sunny spot. After the beginning of winter, move them to a cooler shady place without light exposure to let them go dormant. The suitable temperature at this time is around four degrees, and there is no need to water as long as the soil is not dry. In early spring in February, move them to a spot with scattered light at a room temperature of around nine degrees. After about ten days, place them in a sunny spot to receive light, and water once every one to four days. They will bloom around April.

If you want azaleas to bloom early, around the Spring Festival, you can place them in a shady spot at a temperature of around four degrees after the beginning of autumn to let them go dormant, and move the plants some time in advance to a spot with scattered light at a temperature of around ten degrees to let them break dormancy and regain vitality. After about a week, move them to a sunny spot indoors and cover them with a transparent plastic bag to keep them warm and humid. Do not let the temperature inside the bag drop at night.

Azaleas are best moved outdoors for care in spring when the nighttime temperature is not lower than ten degrees. Before moving them out, open the windows every day for ventilation, and move them outdoors during the day to receive weak light for one to two hours. Only after exercising them this way for a week can they be moved out. After moving them out, shade measures must be taken; they can be placed under a shade canopy with thirty percent light transmission for care.