A Detailed Guide to Air Layering Propagation of Azaleas

There are several propagation methods for azaleas. For mass production, the main choice is the cutting method, one of the vegetative propagation techniques. Besides that, there is another less commonly used method, but it is also one of the most scientific and healthiest methods for the plant, namely azalea propagation. It is also called the plastic bag air layering method. Now let us learn about the steps and techniques of air layering propagation of azaleas.

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Steps of azalea propagation:

1. Choose part of a branch that is 3-5 years old, and carry out ring barking. The length of the girdled section can be determined by the thickness of the branch; for slightly thinner branches, the length can be shorter. For the peeling tool, you can use the thumbnail of your right hand. After selecting the spot, gently scrape from top to bottom, or use a small knife to score a ring at both the upper and lower ends, then gently peel off the bark layer.

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2. After ring barking, use a suitably sized plastic film to wrap around the peeled area, forming a cylinder, and first tie the lower end firmly with string or lead wire. The tying point is about 2 cm below the peeled area. Gradually add slightly acidic soil that has been moistened with water into the plastic tube. If one fifth moss is added to the soil and mixed in, the effect will be even better. It can maintain constant humidity inside the plastic bag, help prevent drying, and promote earlier healing and earlier rooting. When the soil is filled, tie the upper end firmly with string or thin lead wire as well, forming a shape about the size of an egg, and leave it outdoors to be exposed to sun and rain, while carrying out routine maintenance such as fertilizing and watering. Usually, when watering, it is best to spray some water on the leaf surface so that the moisture slowly seeps from the branches and leaves into the plastic bag, increasing the humidity inside the bag. But be careful not to make it too wet; it can be kept on the drier side, because if it is too wet, healing and rooting will instead be slower.

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3. The air layering method among azalea propagation methods is also suitable for spring azaleas, hairy-leaf azaleas, and others, but it must be done after the flowers fade. Summer azaleas can be propagated in June after the flowers fade. After 3-4 months, they can root, and the survival rate can reach more than 90 percent. Then cut it off together with the plastic bag, gently untie the string or lead wire, peel off the plastic film, and plant it separately in another pot. In this way, it becomes a new azalea plant, and it can bloom with bright flowers the next year. This method is very simple.