How to grow azaleas: the key to azalea cultivation is managing them well before and during the flowering period

Azalea, also known as yingshanhong, has funnel-shaped corollas in red, yellow, apricot-red and white. It is one of China's ten traditional famous flowers and a woody flowering plant grown mainly for its blooms. To grow azaleas that produce brightly colored flowers, besides strengthening routine daily care, what should you pay attention to in azalea cultivation? Below, the Huacaole editor shares with you the key points of azalea cultivation.

How to grow azaleas: the key points of azalea cultivation

I. Pre-flowering management of azaleas

1. Apply nitrogen fertilizer to control bud initiation

The azalea is a woody flowering plant grown mainly for its blooms. During the flower bud differentiation stage, apply more nitrogen fertilizer and little or no phosphorus fertilizer to control excessive flower bud initiation. Once the flower buds have formed, gradually increase phosphorus fertilizer to promote the flower buds to grow larger. If there are too many flower buds, pinching is needed.

2. Apply phosphorus fertilizer before flowering

For spring azaleas and Western azaleas, in mid-to-late March; for summer azaleas, in April-May, apply phosphorus fertilizer twice before flowering, or a mixed liquid fertilizer based mainly on phosphorus, to promote the flower buds to grow larger and to develop their color.

3. Remove buds and pinch

Before the azalea blooms, promptly remove the leaf buds that are sprouting beside the flower buds, so that nutrients are concentrated to supply the growth and enlargement of the flower buds, making the blooms full and beautiful.

4. Thin buds and thin flowers

Moderate bud thinning and flower thinning allows nutrients to be concentrated on the buds left on the plant, improving the quality of the azalea's blooms. For spring azaleas, remove the flower buds hidden among the branches and leaves; for summer azaleas, lightly thin the buds and flowers; for Western azaleas, remove all the flower buds among the branches and leaves and beneath the leaves; for the buds exposed above the leaves on the crown and its four sides, it depends on how many buds there are and the size and vigor of the plant.

II. Management during the azalea flowering period

1. During the flowering period, azaleas should be especially protected from rain, particularly heavy rain, otherwise the flower color fades and buds drop;

2. In the early flowering stage of the azalea, it is best to shade it from intense sun, which easily makes the flower color fade. You can spray water every day to increase the ambient humidity, but when spraying, do not spray onto the flowers.

III. Post-flowering management

When the azalea is 90% in bloom, promptly remove all the flowers to conserve nutrients. At the same time, spray once with carbendazim to prevent diseases and pests, and about a week after removing the flowers, promptly apply a top dressing once.

Summary

The azalea has luxuriant foliage, is gorgeous and varied, sprouts vigorously, tolerates pruning, and has unusually shaped root bases, making it an excellent material for bonsai. “If yingshanhong grows all over the mountaintop, the year will be abundant and stable, and people compete to pick it” shows everyone's love for the azalea; therefore the azalea's flower language is prosperity and good fortune, tenacity and optimism, and a thriving career. In azalea cultivation, besides managing it well before and during the flowering period, how to grow azaleas and water them properly is equally important......[More details]