Azalea Cultivation and Management Techniques
The editor brings you the techniques for cultivating and managing azaleas and related introductions on the planting steps of green plants and flowers that describe azaleas. These are very useful tips and it is recommended to save them for future reference!
Azaleas are one of the favorite flowers of many, also known as rhododendron, which bloom beautifully and brightly, both beautiful and joyous, and have always been loved by people. They are also excellent tree materials for making盆景. However, many flower enthusiasts have found it difficult to cultivate azaleas, with many purchased azaleas starting to turn yellow and wither after blooming. Today, I will introduce the cultivation requirements of azaleas, hoping that everyone can grow beautiful azaleas.
I. Planting Soil
Azaleas are quite picky about soil. Many newly purchased azaleas are cultivated in simple training pots using common garden soil, which not only lacks nutrients but also easily forms hardpan. Therefore, after the azaleas adapt to their new environment, it is best to change the potting soil first. For home potting, a loose, fertile, acidic sandy loam rich in humus is ideal, as alkaline soil is not conducive to the normal growth of azaleas. A mixture of mountain soil, humus, coal slag, and organic fertilizers can be used as the potting soil. Azaleas are best planted in early spring or late autumn.
II. Supplementing Nutrients
Azaleas require a large amount of nutrients to maintain growth during the blooming period, which should be sufficient but not overly concentrated. Usually, some decomposed soybean cake or bone meal organic fertilizers can be applied in the pot. During the bud differentiation and bud formation periods, azaleas can be fertilized with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers every 10 days or so, and after blooming, apply 1-2 times of dilute nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound fertilizer or pour potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution.
III. Watering Requirements
The growing environment of azaleas must remain moist, but there should be no waterlogging in the pot. In spring and autumn, watering should be done when the potting soil is slightly dry. In summer, when the plants require more water, water should be given once a day, and in hot weather, the plants should be sprayed with water to cool down. In winter, watering should be controlled to improve the plant's cold resistance. Avoid watering "halfway," as long-term incomplete watering can easily cause the potting soil to harden, affecting the growth of the flowers.
Azalea Cultivation and Management Techniques
IV. Pruning and Shaping
Azalea branches and leaves grow rapidly and are tolerant to pruning. To maintain a beautiful shape, pruning and shaping should be done at the right time. Azalea pruning can be done around May, which is conducive to the growth of new branches and can even form flower buds in the same year. Pruning too late will affect normal flowering. Regular pruning mainly involves thinning, removing unnecessary long branches, dead branches, diseased branches, and tangled branches to maintain a good tree shape.
V. Avoiding Strong Light
Azaleas are not tolerant to strong light. In the summer, when the sunlight is too strong, the potted plants should be moved to a cool and ventilated place to avoid direct sunlight. However, during the bud differentiation period, they should be exposed to more scattered light, as sufficient scattered light is more conducive to blooming and makes the flowers more colorful.
Overall, azaleas are quite delicate flowers, and many flower enthusiasts say they are difficult to grow. However, as long as you understand their growth habits and strengthen daily maintenance, such as providing shade and cooling during hot summer weather and frequently spraying water to increase humidity; promptly moving the potted plants to a warm room in winter and frequently opening windows for ventilation to keep the air flowing, it is also possible to grow them well.
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