Detailed Guide to Growing and Caring for Western Azaleas
With vigorous shoots, bright colors, strong sprouting, resistance to pruning, distinctive root stock, and high-quality bonsai material, many people like to propagate it, but you must remember the precautions when growing it. Below we will learn about the cultivation methods and precautions for Western azaleas, and get to know it.
How to Grow Western Azaleas
1. Fertilizer
During the growing process, fertilizer needs to be added every 15 days. Its roots are thinner, so the fertilizer cannot be too strong. Otherwise, it cannot absorb it. If it is severe, the leaves will be burned. If it blooms, add nitrogen fertilizer. To make it stronger, when the flower buds bloom in late August, it is necessary to add phosphorus and potassium fertilizer so the flowers look better. In winter it should not go below 15 degrees, and in summer it should not be heated.
2. Watering
It is better to water in the morning or evening. The precaution is that when the weather is hot, do not water at noon, because the roots will be damaged and the flowers will be harmed. It should be watered thoroughly and soaked through. If there is moisture, do not add water. In spring and autumn, you should add more water, watering once or two or three times, but you cannot let it bloom too much, otherwise the flowers will quickly fade. During summer growth, the air is relatively dry. It should be watered once or twice. If it does not rain for a long time, sprinkle water on the leaves. You should also water the plant to increase humidity. On rainy days, drain the accumulated water. After autumn, water still evaporates very quickly, and it is often watered. When the flower buds grow out, it is necessary to control moisture to help it differentiate. After 10 months, move it indoors, which can reduce water, and this can help the tissues become cold.
Precautions for Growing Western Azaleas
1. The fastest time for growth is from April to June, which is the better time.
2. It likes fertile soil with strong air permeability and drainage, such as sandy soil. You can also make it yourself by mixing rotten leaves, animal manure, garden soil, and sand. It is better to ensure its pH is 5 - 5.5, and it should be acidic.
3. It likes a moist water environment. During the growing period, in summer and autumn, if it is very hot and very dry, water should be sprinkled and the surrounding environment should be watered to ensure normal humidity, preferably 70%-90%. If it is too dry, its leaves will not be so green in color, and they may even fall off.
It prefers an environment of 12 to 25 degrees. If it is April to September, it needs 18 to 25 degrees. If it is October to the following year, it needs 12 to 18 degrees. It likes sunlight, but it cannot have too strong light. In spring and autumn, it should be shaded about 50%. It needs ventilation and air flow, and can only see light in the morning and evening. If it does not see light for a long time, although the leaves will become very dense, they will not bloom. If you can block sunlight during the flowering period, you can extend the flowering time.
Grafting Methods for Western Azaleas
Western Azalea Grafting Methods
Using blue honeysuckle as the rootstock for grafting Western azaleas can achieve the goals of rapid growth and early flowering.
Use a 2-3 year old sturdy purple azalea or white azalea as the rootstock, 6-10 cm from the upper end of the rootstock base, and cut with a grafting knife (about 1 cm long, cutting deeply into 1/3 of the xylem).
At the same time, choose vigorously growing one-year-old woody or semi-woody branches for cuttings, remove the lower leaves, and leave 3-4 top leaves.
Shorten each top leaf by 1/3 or 1/2, then cut the base of the scion into a wedge shape, insert it into the rootstock interface, align each layer, and secure it with plastic film. Then cover the grafted part and the scion with a plastic bag, tie both ends with thread, place it in semi-shade, and carry out daily maintenance and management, temporarily without fertilizing.
After about a month, through the plastic bag, you can see that the scion has grown new leaves, indicating that the graft has survived. After growing new leaves for 3-4 years, choose a cloudy day to remove the plastic bag.
Usually pay attention to watering or ground spraying, and cut off part of the branches at the upper end of the interface. After the warmth of winter passes into the next spring, some scions will grow branches. At this time, all rootstock branches are repaired, forming a valuable Western azalea. If maintained properly, it will take shape in early summer, and after autumn, the buds will bloom the following year.
Western Azalea Green Shoot Grafting Method
In May, you can choose 2-3 year old roots (the tree can be a little older). Rhododendron (Rhododendron chinense) roots, such as Mao Bai and Huang Lian, are used as rootstocks. On the mother plant, choose strong branches growing vigorously that year, and remove some leaves. Use a grafting knife or razor blade to cut the top bud, and make a cut in the middle of the xylem at the top of the branch, about 1.5 cm deep.
At the same time, choose a one-year-old well-known Western azalea as the scion with strong and tender branches, cut the base into a 1-1.5 cm wedge shape, insert it into the split part of the edge branch, align one layer with the cambium, then tie and fasten the joint with a thin plastic strip 0.2 mm wide, put it on a plastic bag, tie the opening, but leave a small gap for ventilation, then place it in semi-shade, and usually pay attention to maintenance.
After about 2 months, if the scion grows well and the leaves are glossy, that is the sign of survival. At this time, the plastic bag can be removed and observed for 1-2 days. If the leaves are found to be wilting, the plastic bag must still be put back on. Remove it after a while. As long as you pay attention to protection, if grafted in May, you can sprout new shoots in autumn. As for the removal of the plastic bag and belt, it can be done from March to April of the following year.
Flowering Time of Western Azaleas
The early varieties of this flower bloom in October, and then bloom for many years afterward. The flowering period can last half a year, and generally can last until the fourth and fifth months of the following year. The colder the environment, the more beautiful the flower color. Before flowering, it is necessary to add fertilizer and water. After the flowers bloom, it will not be used.
Protection Methods During the Western Azalea Flowering Period
Protection before and after flowering is the key to its long flowering, more beautiful flowers, and more beautiful flowers.
1. Starting from March, phosphorus-based fertilizer supplemented with nitrogen, add once or twice, with an interval of 15 days each time, which can help the flowers be fuller. In order to make it use more space and nutrients in the most critical places, other flower buds besides the top of the branches should be removed. After the flowers fade, 2 times phosphorus and potassium fertilizer need to be added, which can help the green plant grow more vigorously, look more beautiful, and help the flower buds grow.
2. When blooming, place the pot in a ventilated place, give it sunlight in the morning and evening, place it indoors at night, do not add water to the pot, add water in time, do not sprinkle water on the flowers, and do not add fertilizer during the flowering period. Do not let sunlight shine directly on it; a cool environment can help it extend the flowering time.
3. Its roots are very thin, and it is afraid of too much water, and it cannot tolerate drought. As long as watering is inappropriate, it is not good for its growth. The amount of water depends on the season and its growth stage. Winter is very cold, and it temporarily stops growing, so it needs less water. The pot must be dry, otherwise the leaves will turn yellow, and if severe, it will die. If winter is not cold, you can add water similar in temperature to the environment every three or five days. March and May are growth periods. Add more water and sprinkle water around the leaves. At the end of autumn, it will slowly get colder, and water should be gradually reduced. When adding fertilizer, use decomposed fertilizer, do not use raw fat.