Azalea flowers. Care and reproduction. Tips for caring for azalea at home. Proper planting and transplanting a flower

Azalea- a common houseplant, which is an evergreen branching shrub. The leaves are ovoid and slightly drooping on both sides.

Azalea blooms in winter, when many plants are resting. The flowers are mostly small.

Flowers don't wither long time, and can please you for two weeks or more.

In home floriculture, Japanese and Indian azalea are most widely used.

Care for indoor azalea at home

You can learn the details of caring for a flower from the video posted at the end of the article, and the main points that you need to pay attention to are described below.

The land in which the azalea grows becomes thinner rather quickly, so it is necessary to carry out its regular fertilization. best time for top dressing is considered spring and summer.

For top dressing, you can use potassium or ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate and superphosphate. It is important that the top dressing does not contain chlorine. In winter, when the budding period passes, it is recommended to use superphosphate. 15 g of this substance is added to 10 liters of water.

How to transplant an azalea

An adult plant needs to be transplanted every 3 years - this is important point care. It is strictly forbidden to do this in winter. It is better to transplant after flowering. It is worth remembering that the azalea has a superficial root system. You have to be very careful not to damage it. Roots can not be cut, this can lead to the death of the plant.

When transplanting an azalea, you should not disturb the clod of earth that is located around the root system. It is necessary to transship, while adding fresh earth to the existing room.

When transplanting azalea, only flat pots should be used. In this case, the earth must be tightly tamped and spilled.

How to prune an azalea

For growth and proper development, it is necessary to cut and pinch azalea stems in a timely manner. Circumcisions must begin from the beginning of May. The more lush the bush is, the less abundant the flowering will be. It is necessary to completely remove all weak and extra leaves. All shoots of the previous year are also shortened.

Circumcision helps to form a healthy and beautiful bush. This procedure is best done by first choosing the most auspicious days according to the lunar calendar.

For circumcision, it is better to use a sharp pruner, which is wiped with alcohol.

When buying an azalea, you should be prepared for the fact that this plant is very capricious. In order for it to bloom and grow, it is important to strictly observe all the conditions of care.

Azalea does not tolerate heat very well and prefers coolness. Maximum temperature content should not exceed 18 degrees. In winter, the plant can be placed on closed loggias, as long as there is a positive temperature. In case of frost, it is recommended to bring it into the room, but it is worth protecting the azalea from dry air and radiators.

At low temperatures, this plant blooms more magnificently and does not take off flowers for a long time. Some growers even spread ice around the edges of the pot to achieve maximum effect.

Azaleas need adequate lighting. But straight Sun rays can destroy her. At the same time, the leaves begin to curl up, and the buds crumble. To avoid this, choose a bright or slightly dark place.

How to water an azalea and whether it should be sprayed

Particular attention should be paid to watering. Azalea is a moisture-loving plant, so it is important to monitor the soil when leaving. It should be constantly moist, but not damp. Azaleas do not tolerate hard water very well. For irrigation, it is better to use rain or distilled water. If you use water from the water supply, then it must be defended for a long time, but it is better to boil it.

It needs to be watered every morning. But you should carefully monitor the pan and prevent stagnation of liquid in it. This can be detrimental to the development of the plant.

If, nevertheless, the ground near the azalea turned out to be dry, and the plant fades, then urgent measures must be taken. The flower pot must be placed in water for several hours. The plant in this case will absorb required amount liquids. In this case, watering is resumed after 2 days.

It is very important to carry out daily spraying, especially in summer and in dry air. In autumn, this procedure is carried out not so often. It is worth remembering that when flowering, the plant is not recommended to be sprayed.

Reproduction of azalea at home

Reproduction of azalea is a rather complicated process. It is carried out using seeds, cuttings or division. When caring for at home, the most commonly used method of propagation is by cuttings. The most successful period for this is the time from May to August, after the azalea has completely faded.

For propagation, cuttings are taken from the tops of the plant. On average, their length should be 5 cm. It is necessary to carefully prepare the cutting, completely removing all the lower leaves. After that, it must be rooted in a mixture of sand and peat.

It is recommended to cover the top of the cuttings with a jar or use plastic wrap. On average, rooting occurs within 3 weeks at a temperature of 25C, but this process can take up to 2 months. Therefore, you should not rush, but you need to take care of the plant during this period more carefully. After this procedure, the first flowers can be expected only after a few years.

Azaleas can also be propagated by dividing an adult bush into separate parts. In this case, the plant must be older than 3 years. In this case, it is worth placing a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. After planting, the azalea is carefully shed, and the top is cut off.

Reproduction by seeds and by grafting at home is practically not used. These methods are most often used by professional flower growers to breed new varieties.

Pests and main diseases of azalea

Azaleas are subject to attack by a large number of different pests. These include:

greenhouse aphid. This pest lives in large colonies. In its presence, there is a strong twisting of the leaves, as well as a strong delay in the development of the azalea. It stops blooming, and the appearance becomes unattractive.

Red tick. It has an orange color. The tick is located on the underside of the leaves, which turn brown and wither.

greenhouse whitefly. Most often it appears in autumn and spring. The whitefly sucks the juice from the plant, which can lead to the death of the azalea. You can notice the presence of a pest by discolored leaves and their death.

greenhouse thrips. When it appears, brown spots and black specks appear on the leaves. The plant stops growing, and the leaves turn yellow and fly around.

strawberry mite. The most common and most dangerous pest for azalea. It affects not only shoots, but also buds, flowers, buds. The leaves may curl, dry out or change color. Azalea begins to grow worse, flowers practically do not form or have an ugly shape.

Most often, for pest control, they resort to wiping the plant using a soapy sponge, as well as treating the flower with special solutions.

In addition to pests, azalea can die from improper care. For example, yellowing of the leaves occurs as a result of the content of a large amount of clay in the soil. A short flowering period is associated with high temperature indoors and dry air. The reason for the fall of the leaves may be insufficient watering.

How to choose an azalea

When buying an azalea, you should pay attention to medium-sized plants. Large specimens are quite difficult to adapt to new conditions, and small ones may not have enough strength. It is necessary to carefully examine each leaflet. They should not have cobwebs, spots or insects.

It is recommended to buy an azalea with buds or already faded. If there are dry leaves, this indicates that the plant is overdried. In this case, it is likely that it may die. If the azalea has large dark green leaves, this may indicate that the azalea is being fed with hormones. In this case, you should refuse to buy. The plant needs to be shaken a little and see that the leaves do not fall off.

At proper care azalea blooms very beautifully and is able to cheer up the owner and relieve him of depression.

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INDOOR AZALEA

A blooming indoor azalea bush attracts admiring glances, and it is difficult to resist an unplanned purchase. At the stage of choosing a suitable instance, pay attention to its appearance:

1. The main part of the buds on the azalea must be unopened, i.e. the plant is at the beginning of flowering.
2. The leaves have an even dark green color, the tips are not dried out, there are no spots.
3. The bush is well leafy, branched.
4. The larger the specimen, the more likely it is to survive. Do not buy scumbags, no matter how cheap they are offered to you!

And now the plant is paid for, packed (in winter, the azalea must be protected from frost), you are given brief instructions flower care from helpful sellers ... and what's next?

PRIMARY TRANSFER

Root preparation. If you are planning long life room azalea and its annual flowering, then the first thing you need to do after buying is to transplant the bush into a new pot. But just transferring the plant from one container to another is not enough. It is necessary to thoroughly rinse the root system, and for this, first soak it in clean soft water room temperature for a couple of hours, the addition of any root formation stimulator to the water (Kornevin, Zircon, etc.) will not hurt.

Pot. Prepare a suitable pot for transplanting, it should be low but wide. Drainage (expanded clay, small stones) should be added to the bottom of the dish by about 1/3 of its volume.

The soil. The soil for azaleas should be acidic; ready-made soil mixture for rhododendrons or heathers is best suited. But you can also independently compose a substrate consisting of rotted pine needles(coniferous litter), riding (red) peat and coarse river sand (1: 2: 0.5). Sand can be replaced with vermiculite or perlite. The earthen mixture should be light, loose and not caked after watering. The recommended soil acidity is ph 4.5-5.

Transfer. Fill the pot with soil and, carefully straightening the roots, plant a bush in it. Seal, without being too zealous, surface layer land, making sure that the root neck of the azalea is not buried. Then carefully pour the plant with not too cold soft water so that part of it spills into the pan, after half an hour it will be possible to drain the remnants, since an excess of moisture for an azalea is just as destructive as its lack.

Post transplant care .The following weeks will be the most important in the process of acclimatization of a flowering bush to new conditions. At each watering, add a half dose of Kornevin to the water, and spray the foliage daily with a solution of Zircon or Epin. For the good of the cause, you can remove part of the opened flowers, leaving only the buds in half-opening - in this case, the plant will spend all its strength not only on flowering, but also on the process of adaptation and root formation.

The next azalea transplant will be needed in two to three years.

For reference.
All (or almost all) flowers imported to us from abroad, especially on the eve of some holidays, are intended for one-time flowering, after which the plant is simply thrown away. In addition, they are also grown in hydroponic solutions, i.e. without the use of soil substrates, which is why it is so important to thoroughly rinse the root system after the store and make considerable efforts to transfer plants to a new type of nutrient intake - from the soil, and not from the solution. It is for this that it is necessary to apply various stimulants and phytohormones in order to “relieve stress” from the plant.

FURTHER CARE OF INDOOR AZALEA

temperature and light. The best place for this flower is a bright window sill, where direct sunlight does not fall during the day. In winter, the air temperature near the glass will be just right for azaleas + 12-15 ° C. In summer, it is optimal to increase to + 22-24 ° C, although it will withstand short-term jumps up to + 35-40 ° C. The best place to keep the plant at this time of the year - a shaded loggia or a cool veranda in the country, you can also dig a pot in the garden in a favorable place.

In general, try to “accustom” the azalea to your living conditions, because many tips for caring for these plants come down to “dancing with tambourines” around it, for example, by repeatedly spraying or laying over the surface of the soil in a pot food ice to reduce the temperature around the bush ... Think about it, do you need it? And will you always have time for this?!

Watering and fertilizing . Timely watering with soft water (filtered, thawed or acidified in any way - citric acid or vinegar), appropriate soil mixture and suitable air temperature are the 3 main components of success in caring for room azalea.

It is useful to carry out watering with the addition of phytosporin to prevent root rot, as well as occasional top dressing with weak tea leaves, which contains the necessary trace elements that partially regulate soil acidity and contains oxalic acid, which is useful in that it transfers calcium salts, often found in tap water, into an insoluble form, which is extremely favorable for azaleas.

FLOWERING PERIOD

Depending on the flowering period, all indoor azaleas can be divided into 3 groups:
1. Early flowering (from early October to mid-November).
2. Mid-late (from the second half of November to the end of January).
3. Late flowering (from early February to late April).
On average, azalea blooms for 1.5-2 months. To prolong the flowering time of the azalea, faded buds must be plucked - new ones will open to replace them. Also during this period, the plant needs to be fertilized with phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, approximately once every 2 weeks. The soil in the pot should always be moderately moist, because. overdrying an earthy coma (even one-time) can lead to the dropping of leaves and flowers, and as a result, to the death of the entire plant.

CUTTING AND PLIPPING

After the flowering period, the azalea must build up a vegetative mass to ensure flowering in the next season. All weak, dry and densely planted last year's shoots must be cut out. After that, new young shoots will begin to appear, on which flower buds will be laid. When the shoots grow 2-3 cm, their tops can be pinched, after which the plant will begin to produce side shoots, this operation can be repeated 2-3 times per season (if the azalea is actively growing a bush). As a result, the bush will have many side shoots, each of which will later be strewn with flowers. It is important to finish pinching no later than mid-July so that the flower buds have time to form. The plant at this time needs nitrogen supplements for better growth, but by the end of July, the plant is transferred to phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

It is also recommended to carefully break out leafy shoots, often appearing at the base of swelling flower buds, because. they "pull" the strength of the flower buds for their growth.
Azalea tolerates shearing well, and is often grown in bonsai form, subjected to strong correction of its shape.

FORCATION OF AZALEA

If it becomes necessary to obtain a flowering plant by a certain date, you can use a technique such as forcing. Its essence is to give the azalea an impetus that will make it bloom even at an inopportune time. To do this, a container with a bush must be placed in a warm, bright room 1.5-2 months before the expected date.

Care during this period will consist in keeping the soil moist and periodically spraying the foliage, heated to 26-28 grams, with water. If the plant is healthy, then soon the pin-shaped flower buds will begin to swell at the ends of all strong branches, and after about a couple of weeks, the integumentary scales on them will begin to move apart and fall off, and the first buds will appear from the middle. If the scales do not fall off on their own, try to gently help them with the help of improvised means (tweezers, toothpicks, etc.). When the main part of the buds opens, the azalea should be moved to a cool, bright room, where it will bloom quietly and wait for the appointed date.

Attention! A young, fragile plant should not be forced out, especially a recently acquired, transplanted or rooted one.

PROBLEMS IN CARE OF INDOOR AZALEA

Plants can be affected by spider mites, among the diseases the most frequent spotting and gray rot. Proper maintenance and care of the azalea helps to avoid their appearance. In case of damage, appropriate drugs are used.

Dropping flowers and leaves immediately after buying an azalea is observed with the wrong temperature and light conditions. A lush-flowering bush cannot be kept in an apartment at a temperature above +16 degrees, and air humidity should not fall below 70%. In addition, in winter, the plant needs additional lighting up to 10 hours of daylight hours. Following the recommendations for caring for an azalea helps restore the plant.

The complete death of the azalea occurs not only from overdrying of the soil, but also with an excess of moisture in the pot, when the roots are unable to receive oxygen from the soil.

The rapid cessation of flowering of room azalea is observed with warm and dry air, as well as with the growth of new leaves. Prolong flowering and slow down leaf growth by placing the pot on a tray of water and gravel, ice cubes or snow laid on top of the mulch layer in the pot (mulch prevents moisture from evaporating) - these can be laid out every other day. Increase humidity and nearby vessels filled with water, as well as a conventional humidifier.

Azalea may not bloom if her pot has been moved or turned, she does not like to change location.

REPRODUCTION OF AZALEA AT HOME

Like many other shrubs, indoor azalea can be propagated by cuttings. To do this, in spring or early summer (after flowering), cut apical cuttings with 2-3 internodes, cut the bottom leaf completely, and the top half. Dip the cuttings in slices in a solution of Kornevin or Heteroauxin, wait the time set according to the instructions, then stick the cuttings to the level of the lower leaf in the prepared pots with acidic loose soil mixed half with coarse sand. Cover the containers on top with plastic bags or glass jars, spray the cuttings daily with settled water. Rooting will take 1.5-2 months. In the same way, you can try to save a plant that is dying after an unsuccessful purchase or overdrying. The best result will be obtained when using a special soil for azaleas or a mixture with soil from under coniferous trees.

Seed propagation of azaleas also allows you to get new plants, but this process is not fast, so it is practically not used at home.

For reference.
Azaleas are representatives of the Rhododendron genus, but unlike garden rhododendrons, they retain the obsolete name Azalea, although botanically they are rhododendrons.
All indoor azaleas are obtained as a result of multiple crossing various kinds rhododendrons and their hybrids.
In the creation of more than ten thousand varieties, rhododendrons of Japanese and Chinese origin most often participated.
The first varieties of azaleas appeared in Europe at the very beginning of the 19th century. Azalea came to Russia at the end of the same century.
In the botanical gardens, exhibitions of flowering azaleas are arranged, and it is not for nothing that in our climate the azalea is considered more of a greenhouse plant. Everyone can come there and enjoy both the miracle of nature and the result of the work of breeders and employees of these institutions. The presented photos show an azalea at an exhibition in the Main Botanical Garden (Moscow).

Summarize. Having decided to grow an azalea at home, find a reasonable compromise between all sorts of indulgence of this capricious sissy and a reasonable attitude towards her basic needs, and success will be guaranteed.

Azalea in a pot is a real decoration of any home and the pride of the grower. This charming plant attracts the eye with a lush, blooming pink and scarlet "hat". For a century, it has been gaining popularity with florists around the world. Azaleas are grown in open areas in Asia, Japan, Europe and North America. This is a rather capricious and finicky plant, but proper care of the azalea will help decorate the house and achieve long-term flowering.

What is an azalea flower?

This green plant with incomparable flowers in indoor floriculture is gaining great popularity. Azalea is a small bush, no more than 20-25 cm high, with oval, dense, dark green leaves and large white, pink or red flowers.

Caring for an azalea at home is very painstaking and it may seem difficult for a novice florist.. The flower is quite demanding on watering, temperature and lighting, but with proper care of the room azalea, its owner will be rewarded with generous flowering. If you have purchased this plant and want to learn how to properly care for it, you need to learn a few important rules. Otherwise, the delicate and capricious flower dies very quickly.

Azalea lighting

This flower does not tolerate bright sun, so caring for an azalea at home requires proper lighting:

• to accommodate potted plant perfect fit window sills from the east side;
• if the place for the plant is determined in a stand or on a shelf, then it is better to choose southern rooms, they have more light, which is so necessary for growing azaleas;
• azalea does not belong to light-loving plants, but heavily shaded places are also not suitable for its location, so it is important to find an optimally lit place without the scorching sun.

temperature for azalea

The flower does not tolerate heat. Therefore, window sills, under which heating radiators are installed, are categorically not suitable for it. For flowering and normal growth, azaleas need cool. It is undesirable for the air temperature to be above 15 degrees.

In the summer, the flower can be transplanted into the garden by choosing a shady place. In order not to damage the root system, experienced flower growers do this without transplanting the plant from the pot. True, in order to protect the soil from the ingress of harmful insects, a nylon stocking is pulled over the pot or wrapped in a fine mesh.

When caring for room azalea, it should be remembered that it does not bloom in the hot season, and when buds begin to form, it is better to put the azalea in a cool place. The flower is most comfortable at this time at temperatures up to 10 degrees.

Watering Azaleas

Experienced flower growers always have settled water or melted snow to care for azalea. The flower simply needs the soil in the pot to always be moist. Often, for these purposes, snow is placed directly on the ground, which slowly melts and moistens it. It is important not to overfill the water. Otherwise, the roots of the flower may rot.

When caring for an azalea, other watering rules should be remembered:

• avoid excessive flooding of the soil with water;
• use only soft settled or rain water;
• spray the flower only from a spray bottle with a fine diffuser;
• add lemon juice to the water for irrigation (up to 10 drops per bucket);
• do not dry out the soil.

Watering is one of the important components of room azalea care, so the moisturizing regime must be taken very seriously.

Humidity and fertilizing azaleas

Dry air is detrimental to azalea. You can help the flower to transfer dryness from heating in the apartment using frequent spraying. But even this will not be enough. When growing azalea, it is important to properly organize the natural soil moisture.

Choose a deeper and wider bottom tray for the pot.

Fill it with drainage. Pebbles or pieces of sphagnum moss will do.

Make sure there is always liquid in the pan. If the water evaporates quickly, top it up more often.

In order for the plant to receive the necessary minerals, you need to use the right top dressing. It is hardly possible to find a more capricious flower than an azalea, home care for her is not very simple. Therefore, do not experiment by choosing fertilizers on your own, but immediately ask flower shop complex top dressing for this flower.

In spring and summer, top dressing is carried out every week. In the autumn-winter period, the plant needs superphosphates, which are applied 1-2 times a month. Insufficiently fertilized soil, as well as not proper watering, can cause rare azalea blooms or no buds at all.

Azalea breeding

Azalea can be propagated different ways, but it is best to use one that does not raise many questions and is available even to a novice grower - reproduction cuttings.

In this matter, the main thing is to choose the right stalk. A too young and green shoot will quickly wither in the water, and a very thick and very woody one will take root for a long time. It is better to choose something in between. It is more efficient to propagate azaleas in the spring.

1. Cut off the stem.
2. Treat its cut with a growth and rooting stimulator.
3. Plant in sphagnum peat.
4. Cover the container with the handle with polyethylene, you can glass jar.
5. Spray the seedling daily with water.

For effective rooting of azalea, you need warm climate. At a temperature of 25 degrees and sufficient spraying, the first roots will appear in a few weeks.

Reproduction and cultivation of azalea seeds- the process is laborious, often inefficient and is used mainly experienced flower growers to develop new varieties.

If you have an adult, overgrown bush, then it can be propagated with a simple division. 3-4-year-old plants are suitable for such reproduction. It is necessary to divide the bush very carefully so as not to damage the thin, very vulnerable roots of the flower. The separated plant is transplanted into ready soil. If the conditions that you create for the seedling are comfortable, it will quickly take root, and already in the first season, others will admire the beauty and lush bloom azaleas.

Azalea (lat. Azalea). This is the name of a whole group of flowering plant species from the genus Rhododendron (Rhododendron) of the Heather family (Ericaceae). Previously, these species were identified in independent genus- Azalea.

Azalea or rhododendron (translated from Greek - " pink tree”) is considered one of the most beautiful indoor plants. It is especially appreciated for the fact that with its lush flowering it brings the breath of spring in the midst of winter cold.

A small, highly branched bush with small leaves in the winter months pleases the eye with a whole hat of amazing flowers. Azalea flowers are terry and simple, corrugated and fringed, of various shades. Pink colour, as well as white, red, purple and variegated. There are early and late flowering varieties.

Azaleas are native to China, Japan, Southeast Asia, they grow naturally in southern Europe and North America.

In Eastern countries flowering bush Azaleas are a symbol of joy and peace. They are often used to form bonsai.

The name "azalea" is used by botanists only to refer to one subgenus in the large genus Rhododendron. But in horticulture since the time of K. Linnaeus, both names have been preserved: deciduous species are usually called azaleas, and evergreens are called rhododendrons. In the trading network you can find the same species under different names, this is due to the popularity of one or another name in a given region or country.

Most often, an azalea is received as a gift in the midst of flowering. Having pleased the happy owner of the plant for a short time with its elegant flowers, the azalea bush crumbles and, alas, is thrown into the trash.

The climate of our apartments is not at all suitable for these plants. The ideal temperature for azaleas from late November to late January is a foggy warm autumn. The temperature is +10...+12 degrees, or even +6...+8 degrees at night, with fairly high humidity. In greenhouses for azaleas, they maintain the desired temperature and humidity, but in the dry air of city apartments on the windowsill above hot battery this beautiful flower dies quickly.

But, despite the fact that the azalea is a rather capricious plant, it enjoys great love from fans of indoor floriculture. Azaleas can be successfully grown and propagated at home, admired in winter beautiful flowers. To do this, you need to study the natural habitat of this ornamental plant and, imitating nature, provide the azalea with the growing conditions that it needs.

Azalea species

Many are grown as flowering houseplants. different varieties descended from two main species:

• Indian azalea or Sims' rhododendron (Rhododendron simsii), Sims's azalea;
• japanese azalea or blunt rhododendron (Rhododedron obtusum).

Azalea Sims

japanese azalea

Both species are dwarf shrubs 30-50 cm high. Based on natural species A lot of varieties of indoor and garden azaleas have been bred. They differ in size and shape of the bush, but most of all in flowers. This is clearly seen in the photo of blooming indoor azaleas:

Azalea Advents-glocken

Azalea Coelestina

Azalea Concinna

Azalea Euroup

Azalea Max_Schame

Azalea Zolushka

Azalea Apollo

Azalea Doberlug

Azalea Podolianka

Azalea Kiyewsky_vals

Azalea Schneegold

Azalea Schnee

Azalea Care

Azalea is a rather capricious houseplant. But with the right content, it will delight you more than once with an abundance of its amazing colors. You need to know the features of the maintenance of azaleas in room conditions and some rules for taking care of it flowering plant based on understanding the characteristics of his life in natural conditions. We must imitate nature and provide plants with the ingredients they need.

Lighting

Azalea does not tolerate direct sunlight, it needs diffused light or partial shade. In the summer it is recommended to take it to open air avoiding the scorching sun. It is best to dig with a pot in the garden in a sparse shade. A good summer rain azaleas is very useful.

If the climate in your area is mild, then some varieties of azaleas can be grown in open field, protecting from frost in winter, and rejoicing in the abundance of flowers in summer.

Air humidity

Azaleas need high humidity. If the azalea is in the apartment, then with the beginning heating season the rooms become very dry and it is necessary to maintain high humidity air: regularly spray the plant.

Watering.

For Azaleas, proper watering is very important. The soil must not dry out. Neither waterlogging nor stagnation of water in the pan should be allowed. Ideal for irrigation - rain, melt or clean river water. IN last resort settled tap water.

It is recommended to acidify water for watering azalea (several crystals citric acid per 1 liter of water), so as not to lower the acidity of the soil. Azaleas should be watered with water at room temperature (in no case ice cold). In autumn, watering is slightly reduced.

Since peat soil is well suited for azalea, which, when dried, turns into a hard lump and does not absorb water, it is useful to periodically immerse the pot with the plant in a large vessel of water for several hours. If the plant is large, then just use a deep pan.

In no case should you loosen the soil - the azalea has thin, delicate roots that are easily damaged.

In cool greenhouses in winter, they practice placing ice or snow on the surface of the soil under the plant. The snow slowly melts and gradually soaks the ground with melt water. But in warm apartments, a large temperature difference between the roots and the crown of the plant can adversely affect flowering.

Temperature

Azalea is very demanding on temperature. In winter, she needs a cool air temperature (12-14 ° C), but with proper care they can grow at 20-22 ° C. If the azaleas rested in the garden in the summer, it is very important to move them into the apartment before the start of the heating season.

The soil

Azalea is one of the few indoor plants that require acidic soil (pH 4-4.5). Heather soil is best for her, but you can replace it with a mixture of coniferous and peat soil (2: 1) with the addition of a small amount of river sand. Azalea grows well in hydroponics. You can buy a specially prepared soil mixture at a flower shop for acidophilic ("acid-loving") plants, which include azaleas.

Transfer

Young plants are transplanted annually, old ones - once every 2-3 years. When transplanting azaleas, it is undesirable to disturb the root ball; instead of transplanting, transshipment with the addition of a fresh substrate is recommended.

Since the root system of the azalea is superficial, only low pots are used as dishes.

Fertilizer

It is necessary to feed the plant in spring and summer once a week with fertilizers for azaleas (ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, potassium sulfite), winter-autumn - superphosphate is recommended during budding (15 g per 10 l of water).

Bloom

To achieve abundant flowering you need to cut and pinch the stems in a timely manner. Trimming starts in May. Young shoots are pinched, leaving 4-5 leaves on them. When small young shoots appear near the flower buds, they must be plucked out. Remember: the more magnificent the bush, the weaker the flowering.

For longer flowering, you also need to keep the azalea cool. Flower buds in the process of development and swelling release buds - 2-4 buds from each bud. During flowering, all faded must be removed immediately, then the azalea will bloom longer. As the flowers fade, remove the seed pods so as not to weaken the plant.

Unlike many other plants, azalea can be rotated and carried during flowering, the buds will not fall off from this. With careful care, the azalea blooms more and more magnificently from year to year.

Azalea crown formation

Flower buds of indoor azaleas form at the tops of the shoots in late summer. In order for the plant to bloom beautifully, it is important to cut it in time so that as many tops as possible form on it. And do not be late with this pruning, otherwise the flower buds will not have time to form on them, and the flowering will be weak.

The purpose of this formation is to get a plant with a beautiful voluminous crown and evenly laid buds. There are two main types of crown in azaleas: - in the form small tree or bush.

To form a tree, you need to choose the most even and strong branch near a small azalea bush and grow a trunk from it, cut off all other shoots. To keep the trunk as straight as possible, tie it to a support and constantly rotate it around the axis. As soon as the trunk reaches the size you need, pin the top. Then the tree will begin to branch. Then you need to periodically turn the plant, pinch the side branches in time and you will get a crown formed in the form of a ball.

Pruning is necessary for early varieties not later than March - April, in the later ones - in May - June. Generally, annual pruning comes down to the fact that all the shoots of the previous year are shortened and the extra, weak or very closely spaced branches are completely removed.

To form a bush, the stalk is pinched at a distance of 10-12 cm from the ground, the tops of the side branches are also pinched and the bush is turned so that the branches grow evenly.

crown tree

crown bush

Azalea breeding

Azalea is propagated by seeds, cuttings, dividing the bush and grafting. Reproduction by seeds is a laborious and complex process, which is most often used by professional flower growers for the cultivation of new varieties.

Propagation by cuttings. At home, the azalea is propagated by semi-woody stem cuttings.

Cutting cuttings

Azalea rooting is difficult. The stalk is taken 5-8 cm long, semi-woody. The green stalk will quickly wither, and the stiff stalk takes root for a very long time. You can cut cuttings from the middle of winter, but top scores gives spring-summer cuttings (from March to June). Propagate from May to August. Rooting occurs faster and better in an acidic substrate, such as coniferous soil or sphagnum peat. Fresh cuts of cuttings are treated with root formation stimulants, pollinated with growth substances, planted vertically to a depth of 1-2.5 cm. Cover with a glass jar or polyethylene film, regularly watered and sprayed. Optimum temperature for rooting 25C. Cuttings take root in 3-5 weeks.

rooted cuttings

Division of the bush. You can also divide an azalea bush that is already 3-4 years old into several parts. The roots of the plant are thin, superficial, so you need to share with all caution.

Diseases and pests. Azaleas are susceptible to damage by Aealia moth, greenhouse whitefly, mealybug, as well as some other types of insects, mites and molluscs.

Aealia moth (Caloptilia azaleella) is a specific pest of azalea. Damaged leaves dry up, crumble and fall off. Adult caterpillars crawl onto neighboring healthy leaves, fold them into tubes and continue their growth there.

The greenhouse whitefly damages the leaves of azaleas. A sooty fungus settles on the sugary secretions of the whitefly. In addition, the whitefly can be a carrier of some viral diseases of flower crops.

Growing an azalea at home and caring for it is not an easy task. This is very whimsical plant requires special treatment and compliance with special conditions of detention. However, all your efforts will be rewarded. Azalea blooms very beautifully and magnificently, it is diverse appearance inflorescences and richness of colors and shades.

Description

Azalea belongs to the subspecies of rhododendrons. Home growing can be done in any part of the world, provided necessary care. Asian countries (southeastern Asia, Japan, China) are considered its homeland, but you can find this flower in northern America and southern Europe.

On Greek azalea means "rose tree". This is almost the most beautiful of all decorative indoor plants. It blooms during the period of cold and frost, when other flowers are resting. Flowering is lush and long-term, the variety of shades is impressive. Leaves are rounded oblong. The plant looks like small shrub, has a large varietal diversity.

Be careful when handling the flower at home and in the garden. Keep it away from pets and small children as the azalea is quite poisonous.

Growing azalea is possible both on the window of the room and in the country in open ground. Indian azalea is suitable for home, it is easiest to grow here.

A beautiful flower is often bought in a flower shop in winter as a gift. But, as a rule, such a gift does not serve as a home decoration for long, the azalea quickly crumbles. Why? Proper care for a sensitive, spoiled plant is not observed.

conditions for growing azaleas

The main rule is that all the content of a capricious flower should be as close as possible to the natural conditions of life in nature. This requires special care.

In nature, the azalea grows in a cool climate, where there is a lot of light, but not in direct sunlight. She loves water and constant inflow fresh moist air. Dryness and heat are detrimental to her.

Based on the named natural needs of decorative culture, a number of basic conditions can be distinguished under which the azalea will be successfully grown in an apartment.

• Air temperature.

Ideally, it should be just below twenty degrees or one or two degrees higher. In October, it is desirable to maintain a special temperature regime(about five degrees above zero). This is necessary to form the buds of future flowers. When the time of flowering approaches, raise the thermometer to +15. During the opening of flowers, set a constant temperature to +18 degrees. You can create a cold for an azalea artificially: cover the flower with pieces of ice, watering is done cold water like spraying. If there are no frosts on the street, you can keep the plant at an open window or put it on a glazed loggia.

• Irrigation and air humidification.

You can moisten the air and dried soil by regular spraying and watering through the pan (put the box in a pan filled with water for several hours). The water will saturate the earth and make the air humid by evaporating. Regular watering is alternated with watering through the pan. In the summer, in the heat, it is necessary to water the azalea twice a day and spray more often. Water for irrigation and spraying is recommended taken after rain or snow melt. You can water it with boiled cool water, but it must first be defended. To acidify the soil (this flower loves acidic soils), you can sometimes water the plant with water with the addition of a teaspoon of citric acid (two liters).

• Lighting mode.

The light must be in in large numbers, but let it not be direct sunlight. Protect the azalea from the scorching sun, it will destroy it. If necessary, create an additional source of light, especially during the winter months when there is so little sun outside.

• Earth.

It is taken sufficiently acidified, consists of a peat layer, leafy, heather soil and earth with needles, you can add a little river sand. It is better to buy a special soil composition in the store, there will be everything you need for azaleas. The bottom of the box should have holes for draining excess water.

• Top dressing.

Azalea care involves regular feeding. It should be carried out every two decades throughout the summer and spring with a special complex mineral fertilizers(ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfite and superphosphate). Continue until the November cold weather. In the pre-flowering period, choose a phosphate fertilizer to apply to the soil (superphosphate) to improve the quality of flowering buds.

How to propagate azaleas?

Cultivation can be done by seeds, using cuttings, dividing bushes, as well as grafting.

The seed method is used to breed new subspecies, it is very laborious and suitable only for specialists. It is necessary to plant seeds in early spring in the soil from a peat substrate and a layer of fallen needles. Planting should be shallow, cover the seeds with a film of polyethylene. A container with future seedlings is placed in a bright place.

Adviсe

• Maintaining cleanliness in the planting container is necessary. To do this, you need to disinfect it with bleach or potassium permanganate.
• The soil for planting must be disinfected in a water bath or in the oven.
• Place the seed containers in a tray of water to keep the moisture constant.
• You can not allow waterlogging, otherwise mold will start. To do this, ventilate the seed containers.
• After 21 days, the sprouts that appear must be fed (a mixture of ammonium sulphate, potassium plus superphosphate).
• Seedlings dive twice: when two weeks pass after planting and the second time in August.
• Care: watering, weeding, loosening the soil.

At home, it is easier to breed azalea cuttings. You need to choose a half-woody stalk about 10 cm, cut it off (this is done in the middle of winter or from March to June). Next, root the shoot in soil with coniferous or peat soil. The stalk should take root in warmth (temperature +25) within a month. Care must be appropriate. To maintain heat, seedlings are covered, but regularly sprayed and ventilated. When the azalea at home grows to 4-5 cm, it is transplanted into coniferous soil. Three months later, the plant is pinched to form a crown, it is not allowed to bloom, removing the buds. With the advent of spring, young seedlings are transplanted to permanent place. Transplantation is carried out by transshipment along with a clod of earth in order to preserve the roots.

A four-year-old azalea bush can be divided. This must be done carefully without damaging the roots.

How to prune and transplant an azalea?

Pruning and transplanting is also plant care. To get a good flowering azalea, it must be pruned. To do this, the stems that have already faded are cut off, and the tops of fresh shoots must be pinched. Completely weakened stems are removed. Cut off brown leaves, as well as flowers that withered and did not fall off after flowering.

Pruning is done after the next azalea transplant. It needs to be repotted every year. Adults at home are transplanted less often. With this procedure, it is necessary to cut too long roots. The container for transplantation should not be deep, have drainage holes. The earth is selected acidic from peat and coniferous layer. Of course, it is necessary to continue proper care for a young transplanted azalea: make timely watering and top dressing.

Create conditions for the plant that are similar to its natural habitat and you can get long and colorful blooms.