How to grow an azalea at home?

The magnificent azalea captivates at first sight. As a true beauty, whims are inherent in her, taken by conquered flower growers, because the effort spent on care is rewarded with the onset of a period of lush, beautiful azalea bloom.

As you make efforts, be busy, remember the future joyful reward. The flower is also called the alpine rose: indeed, the proud beauty resembles the queen of flowers, sometimes surpassing her in her perfection.

Azalea at home after purchase

Immediately after the purchase, the azalea seedling needs to be transplanted into a suitable land, because the soil in transport pots is completely unsuitable for the constant maintenance of the plant. It is best to purchase land for azaleas, ideally suited to the requirements for growing capricious beauties. It is necessary to transplant, trying not to damage the roots, since the plants recover for a very long time after this procedure.

Remove the root from the pot, place in a new, larger pot and cover with nutritious soil. A small drainage layer can be arranged at the bottom of the new pot to keep the plant from overflowing.

How to transplant an azalea after purchase, the video will tell:

Azalea rhododendron care at home

Often, received as a gift or purchased in a store, a magnificent azalea blooms magnificently for a long time, pleasing the eye, and then, unfortunately, dies - they decide to throw out the plant. In vain! Azalea is just going through a period of adaptation to living conditions. Show patience and attention: the bush will gradually regain strength and release new leaves. Having mastered the basic rules of care, you will make friends with a magnificent beauty for many years, who blooms throughout the warm season.

Site selection, temperature and lighting

Azaleas need diffused lighting or weak partial shade along with cool air, the scorching rays of the sun will kill it. It is difficult to keep cool in summer: put the plant in the shade, preferably on the west or north window, ventilate the room more often.

It will be good for the summer to dig in a pot of azalea in a shady part of the garden, protecting the beauty from direct sunlight. Even if you just put the azalea on the balcony, summer rain will be very useful. It is necessary to return the plant to the room before the start of the heating season. The ideal climate for an azalea can be compared to a warm, foggy autumn - 10-14 ° C during the day, 6-8 ° C at night, combined with high humidity.The plant feels comfortable enough even at 18-20 ° C, if you do not forget to constantly moisturize the leaves.

How to water an azalea

The fundamental requirement for caring for an azalea is to water regularly, but not to overmoisten, to avoid stagnant water, drying out the soil. The ground should not be wet, but slightly damp. To prevent the earth from alkalizing after watering with tap water, alternate watering with plain water and acidified water - sometimes add 2 g of citric acid per liter of water and water the flower, but not often).

With the onset of autumn, after flowering, slightly reduce watering. If the flower is in peat soil, poorly absorbing moisture when dry, sometimes place the pot in a bowl of water for up to two hours. It is important to remember that heat and dry air are detrimental to the plant: the azalea will begin to shed flowers and leaves.

During the heating season, constantly spray the leaves of the plant using a fine spray from a spray bottle. You can place the pot of azalea on a tray of damp pebbles, but do not allow the pot to come into contact with the water. Ideally, water and spray with rain, melt or river water, but at least softened - it should settle at room temperature, cold water should not be used.

Transplant and feeding of rhododendron azalea

Azalea prefers acidic soil. A mixture for azaleas, heather soil is ideal, peaty is possible, a mixture of coniferous in two parts and one part of peat with a small addition of river sand is good, hydroponics is a good choice. In flower shops they sell a special soil intended for acidophilic plants, also suitable for azaleas. The pot should be chosen not high, since the roots of the flower are of a superficial structure.

It is strictly forbidden to loosen the soil while caring for the flower in order to avoid the destruction of the root system, for this reason the plant is overloaded, and not transplanted. Young flowers need reloading only once a year in spring, adult plants - once every 2 or 3 years. Transplant without disturbing the earthy coma, with the addition of a large amount of new soil.

For top dressing in spring and summer, use azalea fertilizer once a week, in autumn and winter for planting buds - a solution of 15 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water every 2 weeks.

How to transplant an azalea, we look at the video:

Pruning and shaping the crown of an azalea

Azalea pruning can be described as shortening last year's shoots, removing weak, close-growing branches in order to create a neat crown with an even distribution of flowers. For a beautiful crown, constant cutting and pinching is necessary. Remember, excessive branching of the bush can interfere with flowering.

To late varieties of azalea, the removal of excess shoots is carried out from the beginning of May, to early varieties in March. Pinching the tops, leave 4-5 leaves on them, cut off the shoots next to the flower buds too. At the end of summer, when the plant begins to lay flower buds, it must be properly pruned; if pruning is delayed, the buds will not form. At your discretion, the azalea can be decorated as a tree, bush or bonsai.

If you want the azalea to form a uniform crown without distortions, constantly rotate it around its axis.

How to form an azalea bonsai?

Azalea bonsai how to form a photo

• To form a bush, pinch the azalea at the cutting stage, leaving 10-12 cm in length, arrange the side shoots in the same way.
• To form a tree, first remove absolutely all shoots, with the exception of the central branch, growing it strong, even, use a support, regularly rotate the flower around its axis. When the desired size is reached, pinch the top, which will give rise to branching, constant turning of the flower, trimming the side shoots will help create a tree with a rounded crown shape.
• To form a bonsai, form the central shoot, then pinching - the side ones.To give the plant a curved shape with horizontal branches, tie small weights to the branches or tilt them with thick wire, wrap the shoots with it and bend it down as you wish.

Blooming azalea

The prolongation of flowering is promoted by keeping it cool and regular moderate moisture. Remove faded buds, seed bolls. Azalea can be easily turned, transferred during flowering, without fear of dropping new buds. With proper care, flowering will be more luxurious with each new season.

Azalea after flowering

After flowering, the rhododendron needs rest. This is the best time for pruning and transplanting: remove all excess shoots, cut off the flower tips of the branches and carefully transplant the beauty using the transshipment method, only partially replacing the soil. This procedure will allow the plant to gain strength for the next season. Remember that you can only trim the azalea before the end of summer, so that the plant has time to lay flower buds.

When the plant is accepted, watering begins to be reduced, putting the azalea into dormant mode until about February.

How to propagate an azalea by cuttings

Azalea cuttings photo

Propagation of azaleas by cuttings is the simplest and most successful way.

• In March-June, the apical semi-lignified cuttings 5-8 cm long are cut and rooted in coniferous soil, having previously treated the cut of the cutting with a growth stimulator, it is necessary to plant it to a depth of 1-2.5 cm.
• Build a greenhouse using a glass jar, be sure to ventilate, irrigate, water, keep a temperature of 25 ° C.
• When new shoots appear, it will become clear: rooting was successful. Continue watering and irrigation, do not forget about acidified water. After a couple of months, the plants can be opened and accustomed to the conditions of the apartment.

With due attention, almost all seedlings are accepted.

How to cut an azalea, the video will tell:

Growing azaleas from seeds at home

Sowing seeds is a rather difficult method used for breeding new varieties and is not recommended for home use. However, many enthusiasts are successful in growing rhodendrons from seeds.

Azalea seeds photo

Armed with patience, begin sowing azalea seeds in January-February. Fry the prepared soil in the oven and cool it down, this procedure will protect the plants from many diseases. Seeds are spread over the surface of the substrate at a distance of 1.5-2 cm, sprinkled with water and covered with a transparent lid or bag. The optimum temperature for germinating azalea seeds is 18-22 ° C. The containers are initially shaded with an opaque material.

When seedlings appear, they are provided with good lighting, but the shelter has not yet been removed. Thin shoots after a while need to be strengthened: with a leg height of 2-3 cm, peat is carefully poured between them. So new roots will form, and the seedlings will not thin out and will not grow.

Seedlings of azaleas from seeds photo

When 3-5 true leaves appear, the plants are seated separately in cups, still providing greenhouse conditions (they cover the glasses with bags). Only when the bushes grow up and get stronger, it will be possible to gradually accustom them to an independent life without shelter, removing it first for a while, and then for good.

Video about sowing and growing azaleas from seeds:

The successful experience of enthusiastic florists confirms: it is really possible to grow an azalea from seeds, you just need to put in a little more effort. The process is not difficult, but it requires patience and diligence.

How to transplant an azalea and divide a bush

How to propagate an azalea by dividing a bush photo

Azalea bushes grow over time, they become cramped in the allotted pot. So it's time to start transplanting and dividing. Water the plant well and let sit for a few hours. After that, carefully remove the pot from the earthen clod and try, without damaging the roots, to divide the bush into separate parts.Azalea roots are superficial, rather fragile. We try to choose a wide, stable pot, in which the plant will have room to grow wider.

Diseases and pests

Diseases:

Unfortunately, azalea is prone to many diseases of indoor flowers: powdery mildew, gray rot, rust, etc., but everything can be cured with appropriate drugs that are easy to buy at a flower shop.

Pests:

Greenhouse whitefly, with an accompanying soot fungus covering the leaves, viral infections that come with the pest; mealybug leads to almost death. Moths, caterpillars - eat leaves; strawberry mite - leads to curling leaves, buds shrinking; flat red mite - coloring the leaves in a brown color, falling off.

Azalea is quite picky and troublesome to care for, but having mastered the nuances, providing favorable conditions, you will receive a plant of unique beauty, covered with outlandish flowers. With proper care, the plant will not undergo diseases, it will acquire a beautiful shape and will delight with magnificent flowering from year to year.

Types of home azaleas with photos and descriptions

The enchanting azalea, called Azalea in Latin, is a representative of the rhododendron genus, the heather family, and constitutes a group of species that was previously only a separate genus of plants.

Giving flowering in cold winter, filling the house with spring mood, azalea, also called rhododendron - "rose tree", enjoys overwhelming success among flower growers.

In its natural environment, azalea rises in Japan, China, southern Europe and North America, including Southeast Asia. Revered in the East as a symbol of joy and peace, popular for composing bonsai. Flowering is striking in its beauty and variety: simple or double flowers, corrugated or fringed, white, red, all kinds of shades of pink, purple or variegated. This miniature, compact, well-branched bush is distinguished by a flowering period that occurs earlier or later.

The ancestors of home breeding of azaleas were two original species:

Indian azalea or azalea rhododendron sims Rhododendron simsii

Indian azalea or azalea rhododendron sims Rhododendron simsii photo

Shoots are covered with bristles, charming flowers 3.5 cm in diameter, funnel-shaped, two-colored, may be speckled.

Japanese azalea or rhododendron blunt Rhododendron obtusum

Japanese azalea or rhododendron blunt Rhododendron obtusum flower photo

It has glossy molding, funnel-shaped large flowers with a diameter of 3-5 cm. Along with sakura, it is a national plant of Japan, constantly used by Japanese gardeners.

The two described species - dwarf bushes, reaching 30-50 cm, are often used not just as a houseplant, they form popular bonsai-style compositions of them.

Azalea is a highly branching shrub from the Heather family, which blooms lush in winter. An ornamental plant with a huge number of bright flowers captivates the hearts of almost all gardeners, including beginners. However, it is necessary to study the nuances of how to care for an azalea at home in order to extend its life cycle and flowering.

Azalea: adaptation period after purchase

Often, the new owner of an azalea, purchasing it in a store or receiving it as a gift in a blooming state, after a short period of time observes how a gorgeous "bouquet" in a pot begins to dry, dropping flowers and foliage, and then dies.

In order to prevent the development of such a scenario, it is necessary to acclimatize the plant in new conditions:

1. When a flower enters the apartment, the condition of the earthen coma is examined.
2. If mold is detected, the soil is treated with a fungicide or manganese solution.
3. If the lump is dry, then the flower pot is placed in a bowl of water for 20-25 minutes.
4. Then the azalea is located in a semi-shaded place with a temperature not higher than 18 ° C and gradually gets used to the new lighting regime.
5. With the help of a spray bottle, an artificial increase in the level of moisture close to natural for a flower is carried out.

Quarantine conditions

To avoid the possibility of contamination of other indoor plants with infections and pests, azalea is kept in quarantine for 14 days, the main conditions of which are:

• constant monitoring of the condition of the plant;
• timely processing of a flower, in case of detection of pathogens or pests.

Do I need an azalea transplant after the store?

The azalea flower must be transplanted into a new substrate after flowering and acclimatization to new conditions.

The reasons for this need are:

• a high concentration of macro- and microelements in the old soil, which stimulate the splendor of the bush and abundant flowering;
• rotting of the earthen coma due to the frequent overflow of the plant in the flower shop to maintain the elasticity of the leaves and extend the flowering period.

Requirement for soil and pot

Because of the culture's love of acidic soils, it is better to purchase a substrate for cultivating azaleas at a flower shop. However, if you wish, you can prepare it yourself by mixing rotted needles, moss and sand in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. The pot is selected low and wide, at the bottom of which a drainage layer is placed, preventing stagnation of water.

Due to the fragility of the root system, a representative of the heather is transplanted by transshipment in such a way that the root collar remains half a centimeter above the ground level.

How to take care at home?

Caring for indoor azalea, which will provide the flower with a long life and abundant flowering, provides for the creation of growing conditions similar to natural ones.

Lighting

To provide azaleas with diffused light without access to direct sunlight, the pot is placed on the windowsills of the eastern or northern windows. In the second half of autumn, when the budding phase of the plant is noted, artificial lighting is organized using a phytolamp.

With a lack of light in the autumn-winter period, the flower can shed its foliage.

Temperature regime

The parameter plays an important role, since it is rather difficult to ensure its optimal level.

• In summer, the temperature should not exceed 20 ° C, which is quite difficult to achieve without an air conditioner.
• In the winter season, optimum values ​​range from 15 to 18 ° C.
• During the budding and budding phase, the temperature should drop to 10-12 ° C.

Humidity

A representative of wet forests needs a high level of humidity, which can be provided in the following ways:

• installation of a humidifier in the room where the azalea is contained;
• daily spraying with a fine spray, excluding the flowering period;
• placing containers with water next to the flower, which will humidify the air and reduce the temperature in the room by several degrees, which is very important in summer.

Watering a flower

An important event for the care of a room azalea, during which there are a number of rules.

1. The flower is watered only with well-settled or filtered water, which does not contain chlorine.
2. Moistening is carried out regularly to prevent the soil from drying out by spraying the substrate or placing several ice cubes on its surface.
3. To stimulate flowering, 3 drops of lemon juice are added to the water for irrigation twice a month.

If overdrying did take place, the pot is placed in a bowl of water for several hours so that the root system absorbs the required volume of liquid.

Top dressing and fertilization

For the full development of an azalea, macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are required, which it can get from weekly feeding.

• In the spring-summer period, when the green mass grows, the plant is fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
• In the autumn-winter season, when budding and flowering are noted, fertilizing is carried out with phosphorus-potassium agrochemicals.

Post-flowering care rules

After the flowering phase has ended, the time comes for such events:

• Trimming and pinching. All faded inflorescences, weak and overgrown shoots, which will negatively affect future flowering, are removed, and new shoots are pinched over the second pair of true leaves.
• Transfer. For a young plant, it is carried out annually. As the bush matures, the interval between procedures increases to 3-4 years.

Pests, diseases and methods of dealing with them

The delicate flower is often attacked by harmful organisms. Among the diseases on azaleas, there are manifestations of powdery mildew, rust, fusarium and other rot, often caused by overflow. To combat such diseases, chemical preparations and transplantation into a new substrate are used.

The following pests stand out:

• azalea moth;
• greenhouse whitefly;
• mealybug;
• aphid;
• mite.

When populated with these pests, the crop must be immediately sprayed with an insecticidal preparation according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Reproduction of azaleas at home

The most common methods of flower reproduction are vegetative - cuttings and dividing the bush.

Cuttings

The procedure is complicated by poor rooting of cuttings, especially lignified ones.

If the florist still decides, then you need to follow the following algorithm:

1. With the arrival of spring and until summer, cuttings are cut from semi-lignified stem shoots.
2. The cut sites are treated with charcoal for disinfection, and then with a growth stimulant that promotes rapid root formation.
3. A substrate with an acid reaction is prepared from a mixture of peat and moss and is calcined in an oven to destroy pathogens.
4. Prepared cuttings are placed in the substrate to a depth of 2.5 cm and covered with glass, which is periodically removed to moisten the plantings.
5. If the temperature is kept at 25 ° C, the cuttings take root in 3-5 weeks.
6. Upon completion of rooting, young specimens are seated in separate containers.

Dividing the bush

The most popular and easy-to-use method, in which:

• a bush that has reached three years old is removed from the pot;
• the freed rhizome is carefully divided into parts so as not to break the roots;
• Delenki with several roots and shoots are planted in prepared pots with a substrate special for azaleas.

The main problems when growing a plant

The cultivation of azaleas due to the flower's demands for creating almost natural growing conditions, even for experienced florists, can be fraught with various difficulties and questions:

• wrinkled leaves - insufficient watering or moisture;
• yellowing of leaf plates - clay soil or watering with tap water;
• short flowering - insufficient watering, dry air and high temperature conditions.

So, it is possible to cultivate an azalea at home, but for this you need to be patient and put in a certain amount of effort.

The magnificent azalea captivates at first sight. As a true beauty, whims are inherent in her, taken by conquered flower growers, because the effort spent on care is rewarded with the onset of a period of lush, beautiful azalea bloom.

As you make efforts, be busy, remember the future joyful reward. The flower is also called the alpine rose: indeed, the proud beauty resembles the queen of flowers, sometimes surpassing her in her perfection.

Content

• 1 Azalea at home after purchase
  • 1.1 How to transplant an azalea after purchase, the video will tell:
• 2 Azalea rhododendron care at home
  • 2.1 Site selection, temperature and lighting
• 3 How to water an azalea
• 4 Transplant and feeding of azalea rhododendron
  • 4.1 How to transplant an azalea, we look at the video:
• 5 Pruning and shaping the crown of an azalea
  • 5.1 How to form an azalea bonsai?
• 6 Azalea bloom
• 7 Azalea after flowering
• 8 How to propagate an azalea by cuttings
  • 8.1 How to cut an azalea, the video will tell:
• 9 Growing azaleas from seeds at home
  • 9.1 Video about sowing and growing azaleas from seeds:
• 10 How to transplant an azalea and divide a bush
• 11 Diseases and pests
  • 11.1 Diseases:
  • 11.2 Pests:
• 12 Types of home azaleas with photos and descriptions
  • 12.1 Indian Azalea or Azalea Rhododendron Sims Rhododendron simsii
  • 12.2 Japanese azalea or rhododendron blunt Rhododendron obtusum
• 13 Azalea: adaptation period after purchase
  • • 13.0.1 In order to prevent the development of such a scenario, it is necessary to acclimatize the plant in new conditions:
  • 13.1 Quarantine conditions
    • 13.1.1 To avoid the possibility of contamination of other indoor plants with infections and pests, the azalea is kept in quarantine for 14 days, the main conditions of which are:
• 14 Do I need an azalea transplant after the store?
  • • 14.0.1 The reasons for this need are:
  • 14.1 Requirement for soil and pot
• 15 How to take care at home?
  • 15.1 Lighting
  • 15.2 Temperature conditions
  • 15.3 Humidity
    • 15.3.1 A representative of humid forests needs a high level of humidity, which can be provided in the following ways:
  • 15.4 Watering the flower
    • 15.4.1 An important activity for the care of a room azalea, during which there are a number of rules.
  • 15.5 Top dressing and fertilization
  • 15.6 Care rules after flowering
    • 15.6.1 After the flowering phase has ended, it is time for the following events:
• 16 Pests, diseases and methods of their control
  • • 16.0.1 The following pests are distinguished:
• 17 Reproduction of azaleas at home
  • 17.1 Cutting
    • 17.1.1 If the florist nevertheless decided, then it is necessary to follow the following algorithm:
  • 17.2 Dividing a bush
    • 17.2.1 The most popular and easy-to-use method, in which:
• 18 The main problems when growing a plant
  • • 18.0.1 Cultivation of an azalea due to the demand of the flower to create almost natural growing conditions, even for experienced florists, it can be fraught with various difficulties and questions:
• 19 Description
• 20 Conditions for growing azaleas
• 21 How to propagate an azalea?
• 22 How to prune and transplant an azalea?
  • 22.1 A little about azaleas
  • 22.2 How to care for an azalea
  • 22.3 Diseases dangerous to azaleas

Azalea at home after purchase

Immediately after the purchase, the azalea seedling needs to be transplanted into a suitable land, because the soil in transport pots is completely unsuitable for the constant maintenance of the plant. It is best to purchase land for azaleas, ideally suited to the requirements for growing capricious beauties. It is necessary to transplant, trying not to damage the roots, since the plants recover for a very long time after this procedure.

Remove the root from the pot, place in a new, larger pot and cover with nutritious soil. A small drainage layer can be arranged at the bottom of the new pot to keep the plant from overflowing.

How to transplant an azalea after purchase, the video will tell:

Azalea rhododendron care at home

Often, received as a gift or purchased in a store, a magnificent azalea blooms magnificently for a long time, pleasing the eye, and then, unfortunately, dies - they decide to throw out the plant. In vain! Azalea is just going through a period of adaptation to living conditions. Show patience and attention: the bush will gradually regain strength and release new leaves. Having mastered the basic rules of care, you will make friends with a magnificent beauty for many years, who blooms throughout the warm season.

Site selection, temperature and lighting

Azaleas need diffused lighting or weak partial shade along with cool air, the scorching rays of the sun will kill it.It is difficult to keep cool in summer: put the plant in the shade, preferably on the west or north window, ventilate the room more often.

It will be good for the summer to dig in a pot of azalea in a shady part of the garden, protecting the beauty from direct sunlight. Even if you just put the azalea on the balcony, summer rain will be very useful. It is necessary to return the plant to the room before the start of the heating season. The ideal climate for an azalea can be compared to a warm foggy autumn - 10-14 ° C during the day, 6-8 ° C at night, combined with high humidity. The plant feels comfortable enough even at 18-20 ° C, if you do not forget to constantly moisturize the leaves.

How to water an azalea

The fundamental requirement for caring for an azalea is to water regularly, but not to overmoisten, to avoid stagnant water, drying out the soil. The ground should not be wet, but slightly damp. To prevent the earth from alkalizing after watering with tap water, alternate watering with plain water and acidified water - sometimes add 2 g of citric acid per liter of water and water the flower, but not often).

With the onset of autumn, after flowering, slightly reduce watering. If the flower is in peat soil, poorly absorbing moisture when dry, sometimes place the pot in a bowl of water for up to two hours. It is important to remember that heat and dry air are detrimental to the plant: the azalea will begin to shed flowers and leaves.

During the heating season, constantly spray the leaves of the plant using a fine spray from a spray bottle. You can place the pot of azalea on a tray of damp pebbles, but do not allow the pot to come into contact with the water. Ideally, water and spray with rain, melt or river water, but at least softened - it should settle at room temperature, cold water should not be used.

Transplant and feeding of rhododendron azalea

Azalea prefers acidic soil. A mixture for azaleas, heather soil is ideal, peaty is possible, a mixture of coniferous in two parts and one part of peat with a small addition of river sand is good, hydroponics is a good choice. In flower shops they sell a special soil intended for acidophilic plants, also suitable for azaleas. The pot should be chosen not high, since the roots of the flower are of a superficial structure.

It is strictly forbidden to loosen the soil while caring for the flower in order to avoid the destruction of the root system, for this reason the plant is overloaded, and not transplanted. Young flowers need reloading only once a year in spring, adult plants - once every 2 or 3 years. Transplant without disturbing the earthy coma, with the addition of a large amount of new soil.

For top dressing in spring and summer, use azalea fertilizer once a week, in autumn and winter for planting buds - a solution of 15 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water every 2 weeks.

How to transplant an azalea, we look at the video:

Pruning and shaping the crown of an azalea

Azalea pruning can be described as shortening last year's shoots, removing weak, close-growing branches in order to create a neat crown with an even distribution of flowers. For a beautiful crown, constant cutting and pinching is necessary. Remember, excessive branching of the bush can interfere with flowering.

To late varieties of azalea, the removal of excess shoots is carried out from the beginning of May, to early varieties in March. Pinching the tops, leave 4-5 leaves on them, cut off the shoots next to the flower buds too. At the end of summer, when the plant begins to lay flower buds, it must be properly pruned; if pruning is delayed, the buds will not form. At your discretion, the azalea can be decorated as a tree, bush or bonsai.

If you want the azalea to form a uniform crown without distortions, constantly rotate it around its axis.

How to form an azalea bonsai?

Azalea bonsai how to form a photo

• To form a bush, pinch the azalea at the cutting stage, leaving 10-12 cm in length, arrange the side shoots in the same way.
• To form a tree, first remove absolutely all shoots, with the exception of the central branch, growing it strong, even, use a support, regularly rotate the flower around its axis. When the desired size is reached, pinch the top, which will give rise to branching, constant turning of the flower, trimming the side shoots will help create a tree with a rounded crown shape.
• To form a bonsai, form the central shoot, then pinching - the side ones. To give the plant a curved shape with horizontal branches, tie small weights to the branches or tilt them with thick wire, wrap the shoots with it and bend it down as you wish.

Blooming azalea

The prolongation of flowering is promoted by keeping it cool and regular moderate moisture. Remove faded buds, seed bolls. Azalea can be easily turned, transferred during flowering, without fear of dropping new buds. With proper care, flowering will be more luxurious with each new season.

Azalea after flowering

After flowering, the rhododendron needs rest. This is the best time for pruning and transplanting: remove all excess shoots, cut off the flower tips of the branches and carefully transplant the beauty using the transshipment method, only partially replacing the soil. This procedure will allow the plant to gain strength for the next season. Remember that you can only trim the azalea before the end of summer, so that the plant has time to lay flower buds.

When the plant is accepted, watering begins to be reduced, putting the azalea into dormant mode until about February.

How to propagate an azalea by cuttings

Azalea cuttings photo

Propagation of azaleas by cuttings is the simplest and most successful way.

• In March-June, the apical semi-lignified cuttings 5-8 cm long are cut and rooted in coniferous soil, having previously treated the cut of the cutting with a growth stimulator, it is necessary to plant it to a depth of 1-2.5 cm.
• Build a greenhouse using a glass jar, be sure to ventilate, irrigate, water, keep a temperature of 25 ° C.
• When new shoots appear, it will become clear: rooting was successful. Continue watering and irrigation, do not forget about acidified water. After a couple of months, the plants can be opened and accustomed to the conditions of the apartment.

With due attention, almost all seedlings are accepted.

How to cut an azalea, the video will tell:

Growing azaleas from seeds at home

Sowing seeds is a rather difficult method used for breeding new varieties and is not recommended for home use. However, many enthusiasts are successful in growing rhodendrons from seeds.

Azalea seeds photo

Armed with patience, begin sowing azalea seeds in January-February. Fry the prepared soil in the oven and cool it down, this procedure will protect the plants from many diseases. Seeds are spread over the surface of the substrate at a distance of 1.5-2 cm, sprinkled with water and covered with a transparent lid or bag. The optimum temperature for germinating azalea seeds is 18-22 ° C. The containers are initially shaded with an opaque material.

When seedlings appear, they are provided with good lighting, but the shelter has not yet been removed. Thin shoots after a while need to be strengthened: with a leg height of 2-3 cm, peat is carefully poured between them. So new roots will form, and the seedlings will not thin out and will not grow.

Seedlings of azaleas from seeds photo

When 3-5 true leaves appear, the plants are seated separately in cups, still providing greenhouse conditions (they cover the glasses with bags). Only when the bushes grow up and get stronger, it will be possible to gradually accustom them to an independent life without shelter, removing it first for a while, and then for good.

Video about sowing and growing azaleas from seeds:

The successful experience of enthusiastic florists confirms: it is really possible to grow an azalea from seeds, you just need to put in a little more effort. The process is not difficult, but it requires patience and diligence.

How to transplant an azalea and divide a bush

How to propagate an azalea by dividing a bush photo

Azalea bushes grow over time, they become cramped in the allotted pot. So it's time to start transplanting and dividing. Water the plant well and let sit for a few hours. After that, carefully remove the pot from the earthen clod and try, without damaging the roots, to divide the bush into separate parts. Azalea roots are superficial, rather fragile. We try to choose a wide, stable pot, in which the plant will have room to grow wider.

Diseases and pests

Diseases:

Unfortunately, azalea is prone to many diseases of indoor flowers: powdery mildew, gray rot, rust, etc., but everything can be cured with appropriate drugs that are easy to buy at a flower shop.

Pests:

Greenhouse whitefly, with an accompanying soot fungus covering the leaves, viral infections that come with the pest; mealybug leads to almost death. Moths, caterpillars - eat leaves; strawberry mite - leads to curling leaves, buds shrinking; flat red mite - coloring the leaves in a brown color, falling off.

Azalea is quite picky and troublesome to care for, but having mastered the nuances, providing favorable conditions, you will get a plant of unique beauty, covered with outlandish flowers. With proper care, the plant will not undergo diseases, it will acquire a beautiful shape and will delight with magnificent flowering from year to year.

Types of home azaleas with photos and descriptions

The enchanting azalea, called Azalea in Latin, is a representative of the rhododendron genus, the heather family, and constitutes a group of species that was previously only a separate genus of plants.

Giving flowering in cold winter, filling the house with spring mood, azalea, also called rhododendron - "rose tree", enjoys overwhelming success among flower growers.

In its natural environment, azalea rises in Japan, China, southern Europe and North America, including Southeast Asia. Revered in the East as a symbol of joy and peace, popular for composing bonsai. Flowering is striking in its beauty and variety: simple or double flowers, corrugated or fringed, white, red, all kinds of shades of pink, purple or variegated. This miniature, compact, well-branched bush is distinguished by a flowering period that occurs earlier or later.

The ancestors of home breeding of azaleas were two original species:

Indian azalea or azalea rhododendron sims Rhododendron simsii

Indian azalea or azalea rhododendron sims Rhododendron simsii photo

Shoots are covered with bristles, charming flowers 3.5 cm in diameter, funnel-shaped, two-colored, may be speckled.

Japanese azalea or rhododendron blunt Rhododendron obtusum

Japanese azalea or rhododendron blunt Rhododendron obtusum photo of flowers

It has glossy casting, funnel-shaped large flowers with a diameter of 3-5 cm. Along with sakura, it is a national plant of Japan, constantly used by Japanese gardeners.

The two described species - dwarf bushes, reaching 30-50 cm, are often used not just as a houseplant, they form popular bonsai-style compositions of them.

Azalea is a highly branching shrub from the Heather family, which blooms lush in winter. An ornamental plant with a huge number of bright flowers captivates the hearts of almost all gardeners, including beginners. However, it is necessary to study the nuances of how to care for an azalea at home in order to extend its life cycle and flowering.

Azalea: adaptation period after purchase

Often, the new owner of an azalea, purchasing it in a store or receiving it as a gift in a blooming state, after a short period of time observes how a gorgeous "bouquet" in a pot begins to dry, dropping flowers and foliage, and then dies.

In order to prevent the development of such a scenario, it is necessary to acclimatize the plant in new conditions:

1. When a flower enters the apartment, the condition of the earthen coma is examined.
2. If mold is detected, the soil is treated with a fungicide or manganese solution.
3. If the lump is dry, then the flower pot is placed in a bowl of water for 20-25 minutes.
4. Then the azalea is located in a semi-shaded place with a temperature not higher than 18 ° C and gradually gets used to the new lighting regime.
5. With the help of a spray gun, an artificial increase in the level of moisture close to natural for a flower is carried out.

Quarantine conditions

To avoid the possibility of contamination of other indoor plants with infections and pests, azalea is kept in quarantine for 14 days, the main conditions of which are:

• constant monitoring of the condition of the plant;
• timely processing of a flower, in case of detection of pathogens or pests.

Do I need an azalea transplant after the store?

The azalea flower must be transplanted into a new substrate after flowering and acclimatization to new conditions.

The reasons for this need are:

• a high concentration of macro- and microelements in the old soil, which stimulate the splendor of the bush and abundant flowering;
• rotting of the earthen coma due to the frequent overflow of the plant in the flower shop to maintain the elasticity of the leaves and extend the flowering period.

Requirement for soil and pot

Because of the culture's love of acidic soils, it is better to purchase a substrate for cultivating azaleas at a flower shop. However, if you wish, you can prepare it yourself by mixing rotted needles, moss and sand in a 2: 1: 1 ratio. The pot is selected low and wide, at the bottom of which a drainage layer is placed to prevent stagnation of water.

Due to the fragility of the root system, a representative of the heather is transplanted by transshipment in such a way that the root collar remains half a centimeter above the ground level.

How to take care at home?

Caring for indoor azalea, which will provide the flower with a long life and abundant flowering, provides for the creation of growing conditions similar to natural ones.

Lighting

To provide azaleas with diffused light without access to direct sunlight, the pot is placed on the windowsills of the eastern or northern windows. In the second half of autumn, when the budding phase of the plant is noted, artificial lighting is organized using a phytolamp.

With a lack of light in the autumn-winter period, the flower can shed its foliage.

Temperature regime

The parameter plays an important role, since it is rather difficult to ensure its optimal level.

• In summer, the temperature should not exceed 20 ° C, which is quite difficult to achieve without an air conditioner.
• In the winter season, optimum values ​​range from 15 to 18 ° C.
• During the budding and budding phase, the temperature should drop to 10-12 ° C.

Humidity

A representative of wet forests needs a high level of humidity, which can be provided in the following ways:

• installation of a humidifier in the room where the azalea is contained;
• daily spraying with a finely dispersed spray gun, excluding the flowering period;
• placing containers with water next to the flower, which will humidify the air and reduce the temperature in the room by several degrees, which is very important in summer.

Watering a flower

An important event for the care of a room azalea, during which there are a number of rules.

1. The flower is watered only with well-settled or filtered water, which does not contain chlorine.
2. Moistening is carried out regularly to prevent the soil from drying out by spraying the substrate or placing several ice cubes on its surface.
3. To stimulate flowering, 3 drops of lemon juice are added to the water for irrigation twice a month.

If overdrying did take place, the pot is placed in a bowl of water for several hours so that the root system absorbs the required volume of liquid.

Top dressing and fertilization

For the full development of an azalea, macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are required, which it can get from weekly feeding.

• In the spring-summer period, when the green mass grows, the plant is fed with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
• In the autumn-winter season, when budding and flowering are noted, fertilizing is carried out with phosphorus-potassium agrochemicals.

Post-flowering care rules

After the flowering phase has ended, the time comes for such events:

• Trimming and pinching. All faded inflorescences, weak and overgrown shoots, which will negatively affect future flowering, are removed, and new shoots are pinched over the second pair of true leaves.
• Transfer. For a young plant, it is carried out annually. As the bush matures, the interval between procedures increases to 3-4 years.

Pests, diseases and methods of dealing with them

The delicate flower is often attacked by harmful organisms. Among the diseases on azaleas, there are manifestations of powdery mildew, rust, fusarium and other rot, often caused by overflow. To combat such diseases, chemical preparations and transplantation into a new substrate are used.

The following pests stand out:

• azalea moth;
• greenhouse whitefly;
• mealybug;
• aphid;
• mite.

When populated with these pests, the crop must be immediately sprayed with an insecticidal preparation according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Reproduction of azaleas at home

The most common methods of flower reproduction are vegetative - cuttings and dividing the bush.

Cuttings

The procedure is complicated by poor rooting of cuttings, especially lignified ones.

If the florist still decides, then you need to follow the following algorithm:

1. With the arrival of spring and until summer, cuttings are cut from semi-lignified stem shoots.
2. The cut sites are treated with charcoal for disinfection, and then with a growth stimulant that promotes rapid root formation.
3. A substrate with an acid reaction is prepared from a mixture of peat and moss and is calcined in an oven to destroy pathogens.
4. Prepared cuttings are placed in the substrate to a depth of 2.5 cm and covered with glass, which is periodically removed to moisten the plantings.
5. If the temperature is kept at 25 ° C, the cuttings take root in 3-5 weeks.
6. Upon completion of rooting, young specimens are seated in separate containers.

Dividing the bush

The most popular and easy-to-use method, in which:

• a bush that has reached three years old is removed from the pot;
• the freed rhizome is carefully divided into parts so as not to break the roots;
• Delenki with several roots and shoots are planted in prepared pots with a substrate special for azaleas.

The main problems when growing a plant

The cultivation of azaleas due to the flower's demands for creating almost natural growing conditions, even for experienced florists, can be fraught with various difficulties and questions:

• wrinkled leaves - insufficient watering or moisture;
• yellowing of leaf plates - clay soil or watering with tap water;
• short flowering - insufficient watering, dry air and high temperature conditions.

So, it is possible to cultivate an azalea at home, but for this you need to be patient and put in a certain amount of effort.

Growing and caring for an azalea at home is not easy. This very whimsical plant requires a special attitude towards itself and adherence to special conditions of detention. However, all your efforts will be rewarded. Azalea blooms very beautifully and magnificently, it is distinguished by a variety of appearance of inflorescences and a wealth of colors and shades.

Description

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

In Greek, azalea means "rosewood". This is almost the most beautiful of all ornamental indoor plants. It blooms during the period of cold and frosty weather, when the rest of the flowers are resting. The flowering is lush and long-lasting, the variety of shades is impressive. Leaves are rounded oblong in shape. The plant looks like a small shrub, has a large varietal variety.

Advice

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

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

A beautiful flower is often bought at a flower shop in winter as a gift. But, as a rule, such a gift does not serve as a decoration for the house for long, the azalea quickly crumbles. Why? Adequate care of a sensitive, pampered plant is not followed.

Conditions for growing azaleas

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

Azalea naturally grows in cool climates where there is plenty of light, but not in direct sunlight. She loves water and a constant supply of fresh, moist air. Dryness and heat are destructive for her.

Based on the named natural needs of the 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 to two degrees higher. In October, it is desirable to maintain a special temperature regime (about five degrees above zero). This is necessary for the buds of future flowers to form. When the time for flowering approaches, raise the thermometer to +15. During the period of opening of flowers, set a constant temperature up to +18 degrees. You can artificially create cold for azaleas: cover the flower with pieces of ice, watering is done with cold water, like spraying. If there is no frost outside, you can keep the plant at an open window or put it on a glazed loggia.

• Watering and humidifying the air.

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

• Lighting mode.

There should be plenty of light, but don't let it be in direct sunlight. Protect the azalea from the scorching sun, it will ruin it. If necessary, create an additional light source, especially during the winter months when there is so little sun outside.

• Earth.

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

• Top dressing.

Azalea care involves regular feeding. It should be carried out in two decades throughout the summer and spring with a special complex of mineral fertilizers (ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, potassium sulfite and superphosphate). They continue to fertilize the azalea until the November cold weather. In the period before flower formation, choose a phosphate fertilizer for application to the soil (superphosphate) to improve the quality of flowering buds.

How to propagate an azalea?

Growing can be done by seeds, cuttings, dividing bushes, and also by 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 polyethylene film. The container with future seedlings is placed in a bright place.

Advice

• Keeping the planting container clean is essential. 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 an oven.
• Place the seed containers in a pan of water to maintain constant moisture.
• Overmoistening should not be allowed, 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 sulfate, potassium plus superphosphate).
• Seedlings dive twice: when two weeks have passed after planting and the second time in August.
• Care: watering, weeding, loosening the soil.

At home, it is easier to breed an azalea with cuttings. You need to choose a half-stiff 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 the soil with coniferous or peat soil. The cutting should take root in a warm place (temperature +25) for a month. Care must be appropriate. To maintain heat, the seedlings are covered, but regularly sprayed and ventilated. When the azalea grows up to 4-5 cm at home, it is transplanted into coniferous soil. After three months, the plant is pinched to form a crown, it is not allowed to bloom, removing the buds. With the arrival of spring, young seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place. The transplant is carried out by transshipment together with a clod of earth in order to protect the roots.

The bush of a four-year-old azalea can be subdivided. This must be done carefully, without damaging the roots.

How to prune and transplant an azalea?

Pruning and replanting is also caring for the plant. To get a good flowering azalea, it must be pruned. To do this, the stems that have already bloomed are cut off, and the tops of fresh shoots must be pinched. Weakened stems are removed. Cut off brown leaves, as well as flowers that have dried up and did not fall off after flowering.

Pruning is done after the next transplant of the azalea. It is necessary to transplant it every year. Adults at home are transplanted less often. In this procedure, overly long roots must be trimmed. The transplant container should not be deep, have drainage holes. The land is selected sour from peat and coniferous layer. Of course, it is necessary to continue proper care of the young transplanted azalea: to make timely watering and feeding.

If you do not transplant on time, the roots will grow, forming stagnant moisture and causing soil to rot. As a result, diseases and various parasites will appear.

Caring for an azalea at home is very laborious, but if you are ardent fans of it and dream of having it on your windowsill, then this should not stop you.

Create conditions for the plant that are similar to their natural habitat, and you can get long and colorful bloom.

In this article, we will tell you how to grow at home and properly care for a very beautiful plant - an azalea.

A little about azaleas

Azalea is one of the most beautiful flowering indoor plants. The graceful azalea flowers do not leave indifferent even those who are not interested in houseplants. Azaleas need constant daily care, but even such a difficult content does not make the plant less popular among gardeners.

Azalea is an evergreen shrub that blooms for more than six months (November-May). India and China are considered to be the homeland of the plant. Currently, many varieties and hybrids of azaleas have been bred, which differ from each other in flowering, leaf shape, and color.

By the timing of flowering, azalea varieties can be divided into 3 groups: late flowering, medium flowering and early flowering... If you buy azaleas of all kinds, then you can admire the flowering for about six months. In addition, the plant is usually divided into: garden and indoor.

How to care for an azalea

Transfer

Azaleas propagate by cuttings, while the age of the appendage is important - at least six months. Cuttings are cut after flowering, planted in the ground intended for azaleas. Cover the container with cuttings with a bag and water regularly. The shoots take root within 1.5 months, after which they are seated in individual pots.

Azalea soil is preferable with an acidic reaction, containing peat, sand and substrate for conifers. Do not forget about the expanded clay layer in the bowl.

The plant is transplanted at the moment of rest, after the end of flowering. The transplant should be carried out with the utmost care, trying not to injure the thin roots. When choosing a pot for an azalea, you should pay attention to its root system. It is superficial, which means flat wide bowls are preferable. Adult azaleas need a transplant every 3-4 years, and young ones - once a year.

Top dressing

Like any plant, azalea needs fertilization for the entire period of growth and flowering. It is better to feed the plant in summer, using a special complex fertilizer for azaleas. Remember to observe the two week interval. It is necessary to feed during this period because after flowering, the formation of flower buds of the next year begins. It will not be superfluous to feed the azalea during the period of bud formation. To do this, dissolve 15 g of superphosphate in a liter of water. Watering with water with the addition of citric acid (about 2 g) also has a positive effect.

Watering

Azalea is a plant that requires abundant and regular watering. But at the same time, waterlogged soil is detrimental to the root system of the azalea. Spraying green shoots is a necessary daily procedure. This helps the plant to maintain the required temperature regime. Water and spray with cool water.

Creation of comfortable conditions

The optimum temperature for keeping azaleas is 13 to 21 ° C. The plant does not tolerate an increase in air temperature; it usually reacts with wilting of leaves. It is quite difficult to maintain the required temperature, but you can go for a little trick - to spread the pieces of ice near the bowl or in the bowl (but only along the edge).

During the flowering period, the azalea needs additional lighting.

Diseases dangerous to azaleas

When growing azaleas, some problems may arise:

1. Azalea leaves fall - in this case, increase watering. If the foliage first turns yellow and then falls off, then there is clay in the water or earth.

2. A shorter flowering period indicates dry indoor air.

3. The emerging spider mite also signals low humidity and high temperature. To get rid of the tick, it is enough to rinse the azalea leaves and treat with an insecticide. And, of course, create the necessary weather conditions.

Irina ASTASHOVA

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Azalea propagation

Breeding azaleas at home occurs, as a rule, in the following ways:

• seed;
• vegetative;
• with the help of vaccinations;
• dividing the bushes.

For the latter method, predominantly an adult is used, with a large number of shoots.

I would like to dwell on not the most common method of reproduction - seed.

Experienced flower growers rarely use this method, due to its laboriousness and low efficiency.

The main feature is the creation of the right growing conditions:

• the need to create a greenhouse effect;
• the presence of a special soil mixture;
• maintaining high humidity;
• constant lighting (from March to August there is enough natural sunlight, at other times artificial lighting is required).

Features of seed

What does it look like?

Like other representatives of the flora, the fruit with seeds in rhododendrons appears at the end of flowering. It is a five-leafed capsule with numerous seeds. Which, quite unusually, opens from the bottom to the top. The shape of the seed resembles a stick, long and oblong. The size is very small, from 0.5 to 2 mm in length. The color of the seeds is usually dark brown, closer to black.

Photo

Below you can see a photo of the seeds:

How to choose the right one?

Certainly, for the seed growing method to be successful, it is important to take a responsible approach to the purchase of seeds. There are a lot of companies involved in the production and packaging of seeds. However, not everyone sells quality material.

Often, beginners buy seeds, paying attention only to the cost and a beautiful picture. Subsequently, after landing in the ground, they get a sad experience.

Therefore it follows:

1. Purchase seeds in proven, specialized stores. In them you can get qualified advice, there are certificates for products.
2. Pay attention to the packaging, it must be strong, without defects, made of good paper. The inscriptions should be well read.
3. Find out the number of seeds in a pack so you know how much to buy.
4. Shelf life.

If you stock up on seeds for future use, then it is important to store them correctly, in a dry and cool place. The shelf life of seed in such conditions is 2-3 years.

Where to buy and can you order from China?

To date, there is no shortage at the points of sale of seeds. There are even specialty stores that sell rare, exotic seed. I would like to add once again that it is better to purchase goods in branded seed stores.

There are also many large garden cents where you can buy seeds or seedlings. And also additional accessories for planting seedlings, soil, containers and more. This will definitely save time. For example, in Moscow it is the Yasenevo garden center, OBI. The price of seed varies from 50-200 rubles.

Online stores are no less popular. When there is no time for shopping trips. Just without leaving your home to order seeds and materials at hand. Managers can also advise over the phone. The price of goods in these stores is 100 rubles for 10 pieces, 200 rubles for 30 pieces. Also the cost of rhododendron seeds depends on the variety.

A large assortment and low prices are presented in online stores in China. You can buy rhododendron seeds from 26 rubles for 50 pieces, so this is also with an additional bonus, in the form of free delivery.

Can I get it myself?

The ideal option, of course, is self-harvested seeds. In Central Russia, the seed material of rhododendrons ripens successfully.They are harvested in late autumn, certainly in dry weather. It is worth waiting for the seeds to turn completely brown, but the pods may remain green.

In a dry and warm room, they should be dried by putting them in paper boxes. After a few days, the boxes are opened, pouring out the seeds.

The seeds must be clean without impurities, otherwise rotting and the appearance of mold are possible.

It is best to sow fresh seeds, as the germination percentage is higher. On an adult plant, a large number of seeds are formed. For cultivation on a non-production scale, this amount is not needed. Therefore, the ovaries of the seeds should be cut off when they are still green, so that the shrub does not waste energy on them.

Choosing the optimal planting time

When to plant seeds? Seeds are sown in spring, March-April. At this time, the air temperature gradually rises, daylight hours increase. You need 10-12 hours of intense lighting, so when sowing seeds in February, you should use additional lighting, best of all phytolamps.

How to grow at home?

The seed method of growing at home is the most laborious and time consuming of all. The time from growing season to planting a plant in open ground is three seasons. You will also need a warm, well-lit place in the house, plus the possibility of additional lighting, temperature changes. Consider how to properly propagate an azalea using this method.

Preparing inventory

Immediately before the seed planting process, you need to prepare everything you need:

• containers for growing plants;
• scapula;
• soil mixture;
• drainage;
• transparent material for creating a greenhouse;
• spray bottle with water.

All these materials must be pre-washed and decontaminated. This will help preserve the seedlings of the plant, because the slightest effect on the change can subsequently affect the adult plant.

Pot selection

For sowing, in principle, any container of your choice is suitable. Often used:

• low containers;
• plastic dies;
• yogurt cups;
• a variety of planting pots for seedlings.

The main selection criterion should be the size, which depends directly on the number of seeds sown. Since the process is long, it is better to choose one container. Also do not forget about the presence of drainage holes at the bottom of the flowerpot. In their absence, do it yourself.

Suitable soil

On the market for garden products, there is a huge list of manufacturers who produce earthen mixture for rhododendrons or for azaleas. If you do not trust the companies represented, there is always the opportunity to compose the soil yourself.

It is important to know the shrub-preferring ingredients. Mix in equal proportions:

• sod land;
• deciduous land;
• peat;
• humus;
• sand.

Pre-disinfect the components, and add baking powder. As a result, the soil should be light, loose, moisture and air permeable, rich in minerals, and necessarily acidified. Ideally, the pH is 4-4.5.

It is important that the soil is warm or at room temperature before sowing seeds.

Sowing

How to plant an azalea using the seed method? Planting instructions:

1. Pour a drainage layer into the container for planting - broken brick, pebbles, small pebbles, expanded clay.
2. Pour the substrate evenly 1-2 cm below the edge of the container. Smooth the soil with a spatula, but do not compact it.
3. You can disinfect the soil by watering with a solution of potassium permanganate.
4. After drying, scatter the seeds in a thin layer, as evenly and rarely as possible, to facilitate the further picking process.
5. Spread the seeds over the surface according to the calculation - the distance between them is 1-1.5 cm.
6. You do not need to cover the seeds with earth.
7. Spray the top with a spray bottle with warm water.
8. Cover the container with plastic or glass.

When will the sprouts appear?

The greenhouse is located under average apartment conditions, with a temperature of + 20 ° C and bright lighting. Seeds germinate usually 3-4 weeks after planting. But there are exceptions, some varieties of rhododendron hatch in 7-10 days. Germination of azalea seeds does not occur evenly, stretches for a long time.

The sprouts are so small and weak that it is difficult for them to break through the "clothes". At this point, they should be helped by sprinkling the seeds with an aqueous solution of Epin or Zircon, so that the shell of the seed will become softer and the sprouts will hatch more easily.

Seedling care

The most dangerous event is the elimination of the greenhouse. The seedlings were warm, but now they should be taken out to a cool place. Optimum conditions should be + 8-12 ° C. Such hardening is necessary as a measure to prevent the emergence of future diseases.

It is important to control soil moisture during this period. Watering is carried out by the lower one, the sprouts are saturated with water, which is in the pan of the flowerpot. Thus, the root system is also stimulated.

Backlighting is also important. When the first leaves appear, a dive is made. Seedlings are planted up to the cotyledons. The hardened sprouts are gradually taken out to the balcony for weathering and further hardening.

Growing problems

In principle, rhododendron transplant is well tolerated. But if troubles arise, this may be due to poor fit and content parameters.

1. Leaves turn yellow, a depressed look indicates a lack of oxygen, minerals or improperly selected soil composition to the roots.
2. Leaves wrinkle, signaling the owner about gaps in the content: low light level, inappropriate temperature and humidity conditions, insufficient watering.
3. Short-term flowering also depends on the parameters in the room. This happens at low humidity, lack of nutrition, lack of life-giving moisture.

Further care

The plant after the postponed planting is unhealthy, experiencing stress.

At this moment, it is better not to disturb him, put him in a warm, bright place.

Immediately after planting, the shrub is watered with a solution of Epin or Kornevin, after which a pause is made for 5 days. And then update the irrigation system. Sprinkle the green mass with water daily. Maintain humidity 70-80%.

Thus, to grow a rhododendron from seeds is painstaking, time-consuming and very labor-intensive. But if everything works out as a result, then it will be real happiness for the grower. And a flower grown by oneself will become a real "pearl" of a home garden.