Azalea Growing Methods and Care Tips
Beautiful plants need a little care and attention from us to thrive, and azaleas are no exception. Below, let's look at azalea growing tips.
Azalea Growing Tips
1. It likes a cool environment. A shady, ventilated environment is required. In areas south of the Yellow River, it can be grown outdoors in a shady, ventilated spot from mid-April to early November. In summer, when sunlight is strong and temperatures are high, it must be placed under a shade frame or in the shade of trees to create a semi-shaded, cool growing environment; in winter, it should be brought into a greenhouse or kept indoors, with the temperature kept above 5°C.
2. Watering requires attention. Do not water when the soil is not dry; when watering, water thoroughly, and strictly avoid half-watering. This is the principle for watering azaleas. Because azaleas prefer acidic conditions, it is best to acidify the water with black alum before use. When watering, rainwater must be used; if tap water is used, the tap water must be left to stand in the sun before use, because the azalea's root system is relatively fine and weak, fearing both waterlogging and drought, so special attention must be paid to controlling the amount of water given. Generally, in spring and autumn, water once every 2-3 days. In summer, when growth is vigorous and more water is consumed, water 1-2 times a day. The best times to water are between 8-10 in the morning and 4-6 in the afternoon. In hot summer, it is even more unsuitable to water at noon, as the roots, after being stimulated by cold water, will cause harm to the plant.
3. Requirements for fertilizing and potting soil. Azaleas like loose, highly permeable, well-draining acidic soil rich in humus. Generally, decomposed cake fertilizer, fish meal, etc. are rotted and then diluted with water for irrigation. After being brought out of the house until the flower buds show color, apply a thin fertilizer once every 10 days at a concentration of 15%, for a total of 2-3 applications, to encourage old leaves to turn green and new roots to sprout. After the flowers fade, in order to encourage branch and leaf growth, fertilize 5-6 times from mid-May to early July. If it rains continuously, dry fertilizer can be applied. Before bringing the plant indoors, when the azalea's growth is about to stop, fertilize 1-2 times.
There are many varieties of azaleas, with brilliant flower colors and delicate, elegant flower shapes, making them world-famous spring and summer flowering plants. If azaleas can be made to bloom during the Spring Festival, they can bring a touch of spring to the cold winter.
In the harsh winter months from December to February, put the potted azalea, together with its saucer, into a non-toxic plastic bag and tie it tightly. Let it sun for four hours each day (on cloudy days, electric light can be used instead), and the temperature inside the bag can be 5-7°C higher than the indoor temperature. In this way, as long as four hours of sun exposure are guaranteed each day and the nighttime temperature is not lower than 9°C, after about fifty days in the plastic bag, the branches will be full of flowers.
The following points must also be noted:
Variety: Choose early-flowering varieties, such as Han Mudan, Bai Mudan, Wangguan, Fengmingjin, Danding, Shaoyao, Chun zhi Youyi, Xi Ying Chun, etc.
Heating: Early-flowering varieties do not all bloom at the same time. First keep the plants at a temperature below 10°C. To have them bloom for the Spring Festival, they need to be covered with a plastic bag about forty days in advance for heating. Among them, Han Mudan, Bai Mudan, Fengmingjin, etc. generally need only a little over thirty days in advance.
Watering: Use the bottom-watering method; the water temperature must not be lower than room temperature, and normally it is enough to keep the potting soil slightly moist. Note that the temperature inside the bag must not be too high; if it is too high, open the bag to let some heat escape, then tie it tightly again.
Blooming: When you see the azalea in the plastic bag with buds ready to open, you can remove the plastic bag, stop heating, and maintain a temperature of around 10°C. Spray the leaves once or twice a day with water at the same temperature as the room, and the flowering period can last thirty to forty days.
As long as you pay more attention to the azalea's soil conditions, water and fertilizer management, strengthen the prevention and control of pests and diseases, and carry out pruning and shaping, you can cultivate an excellent azalea bonsai. Friends, grow it with care.