How to make azalea bonsai more exquisite? Sharing of practical tips

Azalea, also known as yingshanhong or zhaoshanhong, is a deciduous shrub of the genus Rhododendron in the family Ericaceae. It has many branches, which are slender and straight, with simple papery leaves; the flowers grow in clusters of 2-6 at the tips of the branches and are rose-colored, bright red or deep red, with purple spots, and in horticulture there are many other varieties with even richer colors. Its flowering period is from April to June, and the fruit ripens in October. Azalea likes a warm, humid environment, is not cold-tolerant, and is relatively heat-tolerant; it likes acidic soil and grows poorly in alkaline soil and in sticky soil with poor drainage. Its bonsai production and cultivation methods are as follows:

(1) Seedling sources

Azalea seedlings can be obtained by various methods such as sowing, cuttings, grafting and division, among which softwood cuttings are the most commonly used method. The specific practice is to take current-year branches during the plum rain season, dip them quickly in rooting powder, and insert them into plain sand. In order to shorten the time needed to make a bonsai, natural old stumps can also be collected from the wild. The cutting time is from March each year until the flowers fade, and March is the best season.

(2) Shaping

1) Potting and pot selection: it is advisable to choose an oval or rectangular pot of a darker color. For the potting soil, use a loose, highly permeable, well-drained acidic soil rich in humus with a pH value of 4.5-6.5; it can be made up of 5 parts mountain soil, 2 parts dried moss, 2 parts leaf mold, and 1 part decomposed farmyard manure.

2) Shaping: azalea branches are relatively brittle and hard, so excessive wiring is not suitable. Generally, according to its tree vigor, palm fiber is used for wiring, with the time chosen for spring when the branches and trunk are relatively soft. The main processing technique for bonsai azalea is pruning. When pruning, pay attention to pruning weak branches lightly and strong branches heavily. In autumn, azalea can be pruned and shaped once more to prevent it from blooming the following spring, allowing it to build up its trunk, and to bloom only after it has taken shape.

(3) Care

1) Location: azalea should be kept in a semi-shaded environment for care, and attention should be paid to air temperature. In winter it should be moved into a greenhouse for care, at a temperature of around 10°C.

2) Watering: azalea fears both drought and waterlogging, so watering must be done carefully. The water temperature should be the same as room temperature. When watering, if a little acid can be added, it is even more beneficial to the growth of azalea.

3) Fertilizing: timely fertilizing can make azalea flourish with lush branches and leaves. In principle, apply light fertilizer frequently, and avoid concentrated fertilizer and raw fertilizer. Before flowering, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to make it bloom profusely.

4) Shaping: generally prune once after flowering to maintain its tree shape.

5) Repotting: azalea grows relatively slowly, so generally repot once every 1-2 years.

6) Pest and disease control: improving the ventilation and light conditions of azalea flowers, reducing wounds, and promptly cutting off diseased leaves can reduce the occurrence of azalea pests and diseases. If pests and diseases occur, sprays such as fenarimol, chlorothalonil, Bordeaux mixture, and omethoate can be used for control.