Garden azalea: how to plant and care for a shrub

Azalea is a perennial plant that is most often grown for decorative purposes, for decorating backyards or window sills. Garden azalea pleases with its fairly abundant flowering, but here it is extremely important to take into account the specifics of caring for the plant - to provide it with correct and regular watering, as well as fertilization and feeding to maintain vital activity and protect against common diseases.

Garden azalea: planting, basic rules

garden azalea

Most often, as practice shows, garden azalea feels most comfortable in areas where partial shade is noted. But at the same time, it should not be too dark a place, since such territories do not have a particularly favorable effect on the growth and condition of the flower.

If the garden azalea is located in the sun, then it is unlikely to receive noticeable damage or even die. But it will also stop flowering, simply because the conditions are not quite conducive to this.

This only suggests that direct sunlight is detrimental to good growth and subsequent flowering of azaleas, so it is definitely not worth the risk.

Of course, both professional and novice gardeners are asked many questions. One of them is usually to plant an azalea. Of course, planting begins with the most careful selection of seedlings and their purchase.

When choosing, you should pay attention to the volume of the container. It is best if it is initially impressive in size, and the earth in it is sufficiently moistened.

In this case, waterlogging should be avoided. Since this can negatively affect the root system and the further condition of the plant.

If the soil in the container is completely dry, then this is a sign that the plant is bad, weak and even painful. Therefore, it is best to avoid such seedlings in principle.

We determine the quality of the seedlings by performing some manipulations.

It can be easily pulled out of the pot. If, when pulled, an earthen lump stretches behind the rhizome, then this is a sign that the plant has not taken root, it has weakened, it can be subjected to absolutely any stress.

In the garden, such a seedling is also unlikely to take root. The plant, even visually, should look strong and healthy.

There are several types of azaleas at once, and when buying, it is necessary to take into account the fact that each of the species has its own specifics and characteristics.

Of course, the gardener needs to get the most complete information about the group to which the variety of its inflorescences belongs, and also determine its most important characteristics.

Different types of azaleas can behave in completely different ways in the open field, require different approaches to their care. Therefore, one cannot ignore this and ignore the requirements that come from the plant itself, its subspecies or general appearance, variety and its specifics.

In addition, as the most experienced gardeners emphasize, one should also take into account the type of soil on which the garden azalea is planned to be planted.

Loamy as well as calcareous soil is the most unsuitable options for growing azaleas. Since a plant in such soil may simply not take root.

If the gardener thinks that the place for planting an azalea is ideal, but the soil is still not suitable, then the topsoil can be replaced at the chosen place so that the plant adapts more successfully.

You can buy an earthen mixture in a specialized store, which is specially selected for these plants, and also use special preparations for processing the soil.

The soil for planting azaleas should be loose, fertile, ventilated. After all, it is these conditions that are the most ideal for planting a flower.

If the soil is alkaline, then it is best to make a bulk bed with your own hands. And also use pre-prepared mixtures for early plants and peat for this.

You can, of course, ignore such recommendations and remarks, but otherwise we will simply get a plant that will not be accepted in the selected area, will begin to show all the signs of the disease - yellow leaves, lack of growth and flowering.

Ideally, azaleas are mostly acidic soils. They should not be overdried. Otherwise, the flowers will slowly form, they will simply shrink, which will certainly ruin the appearance and condition of the plant.

If the soil turns out to be like this, then it is best to moisturize it regularly. If there is a lack of microelements or macronutrients, the soil should be periodically processed and nourished with special means.

And for food, you can use components such as peat and humus, moss or shavings. That is, organics are ideal for nutrition. Therefore, this should be borne in mind by any gardener - both experienced and just a beginner.

Azalea planting usually occurs either in the spring or in the fall. The depth of planting should not exceed half a meter, and the width of the pit for planting in diameter should be 70 centimeters.

In any case, you can calculate the depth based on the size of the seedling root together with the earthen lump, and add about 20 centimeters to this number.

An artificial drainage is also created in the pit in order to retain moisture, since the azalea, although it loves moisture, but its excess can lead to decay of the roots and the development of various unpleasant diseases.

For these purposes, crushed stone, broken brick or sand can be used for drainage. In no case should you use crushed limestone. It is completely unsuitable for these purposes, and can harm the plant at all.

Azalea garden flower care

Of course, after planting, new questions arise related to how to properly care for an azalea flower. Let us remind the reader that azalea is a shrub that requires special attention when it comes to watering, as well as abundant soil moisture.

But at the same time, it is necessary to keep in mind the type of soil, its composition, as well as the place where the azalea was planted. If the soil feels dry to the touch, then it needs to be moistened.

The shrub should also be sprayed periodically. And also put several containers of water next to the azalea so that the evaporation from there covers the deciduous part. Watering itself can be carried out either through general soil filling, or by spraying.

After the plant exits the flowering stage, spraying can be suspended. Also, watering should be reduced in the autumn period, since at this time there is generally enough moisture.

During the onset of winter, the azalea should also be watered only in drier times, in order to prevent the formation of rotting.

Of course, we must not forget about feeding. The shrub can, and even need, be fed with a special complex about three weeks after planting in open ground. The frequency of feeding should be 1 time per three weeks.

In order for the plant to grow and bloom intensively, acidic water should be used. And water the azalea with it almost every month, since this most favorably affects its general condition.

Top dressing is usually carried out in early spring, during the flowering of the azalea, and immediately after the flowering of the plant has stopped.Potash and phosphorus mixtures, which are sold in specialized stores for gardeners, are best suited.

Humus can also be used to feed azaleas. And you can water it with tinctures, which are based on mullein.

Thanks to this, the roots of the plant receive all the substances they need for themselves. Due to which it enters the phase of active growth and violent flowering, and this is exactly what almost every gardener expects when planting an azalea in a summer cottage.

It is recommended to apply fertilizer not at the root, but at some distance from it. Since some mixtures may contain aggressive components, and in some sense they will have a bad effect on the root system of the plant, which will lead to the development of diseases and stuntedness.

Azalea flowers propagation

Speaking about the reproduction of the azalea shrub, it must be emphasized that this process usually occurs in the summer. But you can also reproduce around the beginning or middle of spring. Basically, the azalea is propagated in two of the most common ways:

- seeds;

- by cuttings.

In order to obtain young and healthy plants, cuttings should be cut directly from the main plant, and the length of the cut should be approximately 10 centimeters. Cut the stalk in one motion with a pruner, the cut angle is 45 centimeters.

The earth is combined with needles, or a special mixture is made, which includes earth, sand and peat. A stalk of an azalea bush is planted in this acidic soil, a stimulant is poured in order to enhance the growth of the plant.

After planting, it is recommended to cover new plants with glass, and also regularly moisten and water the soil around the cutting. As azaleas are plants that are very loyal to hydration.

It usually takes 45 to 60 days for the cuttings to take root. The comfortable temperature for plant growth, for its active development, is about 20 degrees Celsius. Also, periodic cuttings should be ventilated.

So, it should take about 45 days before a gardener can plant young plants in open ground. Until this moment, it is better not to make such attempts, since the plant may simply not adapt and die quickly.

If the gardener decides to propagate the azalea by seed, then this will take a little more time than propagating by cuttings.

Disembarkation will be possible only in a year. And during this time it will be necessary to carefully monitor the state of the plant, the degree and speed of its growth, so that it is in the most favorable conditions for itself.

Before planting, the seeds are soaked, then planted and cover the containers with glass or film. After the seeds have finally sprouted, the grower can start diving. And then the more mature seedlings are planted in different containers.

Thus, azalea is a special plant that is very popular today among modern gardeners. There are many types of azalea, its colors, which can not but delight the eyes of gardeners.

Despite such an abundance of flowers, they still belong to the category of fastidious and whimsical shrubs.

Therefore, before planting and breeding, the gardener should pay the closest attention to whether he has enough time and desire to care for the azalea.

And in the end, get perfect inflorescences, which for many years will delight the gardener with the abundance of their flowering and attractiveness.

Of course, you should make a start in avoiding the peculiarities of the azalea variety. From the requirements that he makes to the gardener in caring for himself, as well as on which site flowering will occur.

Only the gardener himself can create favorable conditions. It all depends only on his personal desire and capabilities.Tips can be found either in this article, or consult with experienced gardeners who devote a lot of time to growing and breeding azalea bushes.