How to care for azaleas during the bud stage? Master these key points
Azalea bud-stage care refers to the growth stage after buds appear, when most buds begin to enlarge, up to just before flowering, generally about 90-120 days. However, the length of this growth period is closely related to temperature: the lower the temperature, the longer the period, and vice versa. If you want the azalea to bloom on schedule, bud care is especially important. The main techniques of bud care are briefly introduced below:
1. Suitable temperature
Azaleas are especially sensitive to temperature during the bud-care period, so it is most suitable to place the pot in a moderate-temperature greenhouse for care. The night temperature should reach 10°C-15°C, and the day temperature should reach 18°C-25°C. If forcing bloom, it should be appropriately higher, requiring a day temperature of 25°C-30°C and a night temperature of 15°C-18°C. After flowering, the temperature can be appropriately lower, with a day temperature of 10°C-15°C and a night temperature of 5°C-10°C. To ensure consistent flowering periods, plants with flower buds at different stages of development should be placed under different temperature conditions for care. The temperature of the care environment should remain stable, and must not fluctuate sharply up and down, especially taking care not to let cold air strike the plants, which would affect flower bud growth and flowering.
2. Appropriate shading
During the bud stage, azaleas should be placed in a semi-shaded area for care, and must not be exposed to direct sunlight in a sunny spot, especially during the flower bud enlargement stage, when light should be reduced. In the early stage when new buds first appear, light can be appropriately increased. Shading is an effective way to delay flowering and prolong the flowering period, but too little light will make the flower color dull and not bright enough, so it should be moderate.
3. Maintain humidity
During the bud stage, attention should be paid to maintaining a certain humidity, preferably around 70%. The ground should be sprinkled with water to increase humidity, and if necessary, those with the conditions can best use steam humidification. Watering can be determined by the dryness and moisture of the potting soil: small pots should be watered once every 2-3 days, and large pots once every 4-6 days. Water should be poured into the potting soil, and must not be sprinkled down from the canopy. The water temperature should reach about 25°C, and cold water can be mixed with warm water for watering, but the water temperature must not exceed 35°C. Spray water on the leaf surface to moisten the leaves, and observe more to prevent alkali buildup on the leaf surface. If alkali is found, wipe it off immediately. If the plant is short of water due to drought and the branches and leaves wilt, then spray a little less water, and at the same time water a little less in the pot. After the leaves stand upright, water a little less again, and also spray once, letting it recover slowly. The third time, water and spray heavily again, and it can fully recover in 2-3 days. Never water heavily all at once, otherwise it will die.
4. Pay attention to ventilation
If it is a sunny day, the weather is warm, and the temperature is especially high, then doors and windows can be opened for ventilation and air exchange to keep the indoor air fresh and hygienic. But in the afternoon, or once the wind blows, doors and windows should be closed immediately to avoid dust polluting the leaf surface and to prevent the plants from freezing.
5. Seek phosphorus and look to potassium
After azaleas show buds, what they need most is phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied 2-3 times, and 0.2% monopotassium phosphate should be sprayed on the leaf surface (once a week), so that the flowers will be large and brightly colored, and the fragrance will be stronger. After the flower buds color up, all fertilizer can be stopped, but take care to try not to use fertilizers with pungent odors.
6. Prevent disease and eliminate pests
Azaleas have fewer pests and diseases during the flowering period. Generally, a fungicide can be sprayed once every 7-10 days to prevent the occurrence of pests and diseases.
To reduce nutrient consumption, the first few flowers that open early can be removed so that the flowering period is consistent.
After entering the flowering period, the room temperature must be lowered, light reduced, and air humidity lowered. Only in this way can the flowering period be prolonged and the viewing time increased.