How to raise azaleas? Family raising method
As one of the top ten famous flowers in China, rhododendron is deeply loved by family growers for its beautiful colors. However, many novices often encounter problems such as wilting leaves and withered plants during the maintenance process. This paper will systematically analyze the key points of home maintenance from soil configuration to environmental regulation, and provide professional solutions for wilting caused by different reasons. Basic configuration of the four core elements of family maintenance: Acidic soil is the key. The roots of rhododendrons are extremely sensitive to soil acidity and alkalinity, and the pH value needs to be stable between 4.5 and 5.5. It is recommended to use a mixed substrate of legus soil + pine needle soil + perlite (5:3:2) and replace the soil every two years. In the northern region, ferrous sulfate solution (0.2% concentration) can be regularly watered to adjust the pH, and attention should be paid to avoid using calcium-containing water sources. Temperature and humidity control: Seasonal management points maintain an ideal temperature of 15-25 ° C in spring and autumn. Shade and ventilation is required if it exceeds 30 ° C in summer, and no lower than 5 ° C in winter. The humidity control adopts the "sandwich method": tray pad gravel water + morning and evening leaf spray + basin soil covering pine scales to maintain the air humidity at 60%-70%. Precise water supply: The dry-wet cycle rule adopts the principle of "seeing dry, seeing wet", and water is poured through when 2cm of topsoil is dry. Water water in the early morning in summer and water at noon in winter. Attention should be paid to water quality treatment: Leave tap water stand for 48 hours or add citric acid to adjust to pH below 6.0. The temperature difference between the water temperature and the environment should be ≤3℃. Scientific fertilization: Growth cycle management applies balanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (10-10-10) from March to May, and topdressing potassium dihydrogen phosphate after flowering. Self-made organic fertilizer needs to be fully fermented: rice washing water + orange peel sealed retting for 30 days, diluted 50 times for use. Pay attention to stop fertilization during the high temperature period and winter hibernation period from July to August. Leaf wilting diagnosis and first aid plan for water damage type wilting treatment. When standing water causes root system to rot, immediately remove the pot and prune the black rotten roots, soak them in carbendazim and replace them with new soil. Maintain scattered light during the recovery period, use the "dipping basin method" to replenish water, and control the substrate humidity to about 40%. Drought wilting recovery techniques Progressive water replenishment: Pour 1/3 of the water permeability on the first day, and increase it by 20% every day for the following three days. In conjunction with the bagging and moisturizing method, cover the plants with a transparent plastic bag, and ventilate them for 2 hours a day for 1 week. Environmental stress treatment of strong light burns needs to be moved to a cool place, cut off the scorched leaves, and sprayed with brassinolide (0.01mg/L). The freezing injury treatment should gradually increase the temperature first, adapt to the 5℃ environment for 3 days, and then move to a 10℃ space.
Through the establishment of a scientific maintenance system and precise diagnosis technology, even novices can keep rhododendrons bright and shiny leaves all year round. Remember to regularly observe the state of the plants and adjust the maintenance strategies in time, so that you can enjoy the beautiful scene of "this thing in the flowers is like a beauty."