Rules for fertilizing azaleas and rhododendrons. Problems of growing azaleas

Blooming room azalea is impossible not to notice. One of the most beautiful houseplants impresses with the number of simultaneously opening buds and the variety of colors. Yes, and indoor azalea blooms in the darkest time of the year - in winter, when the sun is so lacking and bright colors. But because of improper care at home, azaleas often disappoint owners. Together regular flowering Plants lose their leaves and dry up.

In order for the azalea to fully reveal its natural character and decorate the house for many years, it needs conditions and attention that are comfortable for growth.

In indoor conditions, two types of azaleas are most often grown: Indian and Japanese. Both species stand out from the extensive genus of rhododendrons:

• compactness and small size;
• slow growth;
• abundant flowering and richness of shades.

If among the numerous varieties of indoor azaleas, choose a few with different terms flowering, a cloud of bright flowers will soar above the windowsill from November to May.

For well-being at home, culture must be maintained:

• bright but diffused light;
• abundant watering;
• looseness and acidity level of the substrate;
• low air temperature in the room where the azalea pot is located.

The optimum humidity is 70-80%. When caring for an azalea flower, the plant should not be left in dry air for a long time, otherwise it will shed its foliage and slow down development. Excess light and its lack lead to the same problems.

From the observance of these conditions in the room depends on how abundant the following flowering will be:

1. In autumn and winter, when flower buds are being laid, indoor azaleas require an air temperature of 6–8 ° C. At the same time, the pots are left in a lighted place, but watered very limitedly.
2. In the spring, with the appearance of buds, they are renewed in the same volume, and the azaleas are transferred to a room with a temperature of 12–16 ° C. If the room is warmer, even with proper care for azaleas in a pot, the flowering of plants can be seriously reduced.
3. In the summer months, the culture feels best at a temperature of 20–22 ° C, and indoor azaleas easily endure being on a balcony, loggia and in the garden, if the plants are protected from direct sunlight.

excessive heat and dry air provokes an attack on azaleas spider mite and other insect pests. When kept in the garden, plants should be protected from scale insects, aphids and leafworms.

Watering and irrigation of indoor azaleas

Azaleas growing in rooms are very sensitive to watering. during flowering and active growth the soil under the plants should not dry out. Since both garden and potted varieties of this crop prefer an acidic substrate, they cannot be watered with tap water. Moisture is either defended or filtered.

Periodically acidify with citric, ascorbic acid, table vinegar or lemon juice. 0.3-0.4 grams of acid is added per liter of water. You should not abuse this method, when caring for azaleas in room conditions on young shoots and leaves, the owner may notice pinkish-purple spots, and from below the greens wither and turn yellow.

If water flows into the pan during irrigation, it must be drained to avoid root rot. This is especially important when the air temperature drops in the autumn winter period.

And in hot weather or when heating is running, azaleas are irrigated with clean settled water. During flowering, this procedure is carried out very carefully, trying not to get on the flowers and buds, since spots and stains remain on the delicate petals.

Top dressing for indoor azaleas

In the spring, but the beginning of flowering, and then after the flowers wither, not only the usual care of azaleas at home is needed, but also complex top dressing.

For these purposes, a specialized fertilizer for rhododendrons and azaleas is suitable:

• To stimulate the formation of buds and flowering in the spring, indoor azaleas are fertilized with compositions with a predominance of phosphorus and potassium.
• When the flowers fall and the shoots begin to grow, nitrogen fertilizers are included in the care of azaleas in a pot.

In order for the plant to leave prepared for wintering, azaleas are fed in mid-September. This is especially true for applications that stimulate the formation of foliage and new shoots.

A video about azaleas at home, about caring for and growing plants will replenish the theoretical knowledge of the grower and help you understand the features of agricultural technology.

Pruning and pinching azaleas for indoor care

The end of flowering in azaleas coincides with the beginning of the appearance of new shoots and the growth of old shoots. In order for the bush to remain compact at room conditions and delight with flowers next spring, the plants must be cut in a timely manner.

Pruning of bushes, in the care of azaleas, as in the photo, is included from mid-May. At this time, weak, excessively elongated or old shoots are subject to removal. Azalea buds appear on one-year-old shoots, so a new strong growth is left, and the rest of the shoots are at least pinched to cause branching and the laying of flower buds.

Indoor azaleas, when cared for and pruned, lend themselves well to shaping and are used to create bonsai and compositions with other ornamental crops. 2-3 weeks after pruning, the shrub is covered with new foliage.

Planting and caring for azaleas

As the bushes grow, they are transplanted. Young plants are transferred to a new container bigger size annually, and then, after 3-4 years, transplantation is carried out as needed.

Indoor azaleas have a shallow root system, so pots that are wider than deep are best for the plant. The container is selected with the calculation of mandatory drainage with a thickness of at least 3 cm.

The best soil for indoor azaleas is a mixture of two parts of rotted steamed needles of one part. Fertile humus, sand and crushed sphagnum are added to the loose substrate. Before planting, the soil is sterilized to prevent infection of plants with nematodes, mealybugs and harmful fungi.

The drainage layer is best made from ceramic or expanded clay shards with the addition of pieces of pine or spruce bark. The last component is especially important when planting and caring for azaleas. It provides constant acidification of the soil. But limestone cannot be used, because because of it the soil changes its reaction. Ideally, the acidity of the soil should be 3.0–5.0 units.

When transplanting as part of the care of azalea flowers, it is important that the root neck remains above ground level. After backfilling, it is slightly compacted, moistened, and, if necessary, filled up. The best time for transplantation - the end of winter, when the plant does not yet show signs of growth, or after the completion of mass flowering.

If the flower has not completely faded before being transferred to a new pot, it is better to cut the buds so that they do not weaken the already injured plant.

Reproduction of azaleas at home

Indoor azaleas can not only be maintained in a flowering state, but also propagated. To do this is quite simple:

• when transplanting, dividing an adult bush;
• in the summer, semi-lignified cuttings cut from the tops of the shoots.

A large plant is divided so that each of the young azaleas has a viable root system. Sections of large shoots are processed a small amount garden pitch. It is useful to powder the roots with crushed charcoal and growth stimulant. Planting and caring for azaleas in this case does not have any features, except that it is better to prun the bush so that it takes root faster.

Rooting of cuttings is carried out from May to September. The apical parts of faded shoots 10–15 cm long with several developed leaves are added dropwise to a loose acidic substrate and kept in a greenhouse at a temperature of 25 ° C. The formation of roots in indoor azaleas is slow. Such a plant will be ready for transplanting into a separate container only after a few months, and it will open the first flowers next year.

Video about caring for azalea at home

Azalea is so beautiful indoor beauty, which will definitely be to the taste of everyone without exception. The surprisingly lush flowering of the plant makes it an absolute favorite in the list of the most commonly grown flowers.

Carl Linnaeus was engaged in a detailed study and cultivation of the azalea. It was he who suggested that deciduous rhododendrons are azaleas. For some time they were even singled out in separate view, however, later Azalea was included in Rhododendrons. All of them belong to the large Vereskov family. According to some estimates, the family includes at least 1000 (!) various kinds plants.

Decorative properties of azalea

The decorativeness of the azalea is clearly expressed in the shape and color of the leaves, as well as the flowers of the plant.

In young plants of various types of azalea, barely noticeable reddish hairs can grow along the veins. Evergreen leathery leaves can have a variety of shapes: from elliptical-ovate to lanceolate.

The diameter of an azalea flower can range from three to five centimeters. Different types of rhododendron can have from two to six flowers per inflorescence. Their structure can also be different. And non-terry, and semi-double, and terry. Wide funnels of inflorescences are considered to be of particular decorative value.

If you look at the genus of azaleas as a whole, then the flowers of the plants are either large or medium in size. A special group should include small-flowered azaleas. But they also have their own advantage. Despite the somewhat smaller size of flowers compared to other types of rhododendrons, the plants of this group are distinguished by very, very dense inflorescences.

Flowering of rhododendrons falls on the autumn-spring period. There is a division of plants into early flowering, standard flowering and late flowering. Bloom late varieties Azaleas can last from the end of February to the end of April. Medium varieties bloom in January-March, and early ones in December-January.

Azalea varieties

To date, about three hundred and fifty different varieties azaleas. All these varieties are easiest to classify by flowering time.

Early flowering varieties

• Dresden 1936 - a plant with amazing pink medium-sized flowers that can reach up to six centimeters in diameter.
• Enzett - amazing pink flowers reach up to seven centimeters in diameter.
• Weisse Schemme - the plant boasts delightful white flowers with a soft pink tint. The diameter of each flower is at least six centimeters.

Medium flowering varieties

• Apollo is a stunning flower with amazing brick red patterns. The flowers in the inflorescence can be either non-double or slightly double.
• Kunt Erven - the plant is distinguished by rich bright scarlet double flowers. In diameter, each of them can reach from six to six and a half centimeters.

Late flowering varieties

• Hexe - a plant with amazing flowers rich wine color. Each of them reaches a diameter of up to five and a half centimeters.
• Sakuntala is a delightful plant with double blue-white flowers. In diameter, each flower can reach up to seven centimeters.

The most commonly grown indoor plant is Azalea japonica. The plant is characterized by abundant flowering of funnel-shaped flowers of various colors.

It is such a huge number of multi-species plants, united under one name "azalea".

Azalea care at home

Azalea is quite picky about growing conditions at home. The first thing that the grower will need to correctly and determine is the location of the rhododendron.

Plant lighting features

Azalea, like many other rhododendrons, prefers to grow in well-lit places in the apartment. But it is worth remembering one thing important condition: Protect the azalea from direct sunlight.

Attention! It will be just wonderful if you manage to create comfortable diffused lighting conditions for the azalea.

Like many other indoor flowers, the azalea can be safely taken out to the balcony, loggia or just to the garden on Fresh air. But you should only do this if the weather is warm, dry.

Spring and summer is a great time to give azaleas the opportunity to gain strength and oxygen. But also on the street, do not forget about shading the plant from direct sunlight.

Having chosen a place suitable for lighting for a plant, you can think about what kind of temperature is suitable for azaleas. Some types of plants, by and large, do not react too painfully to both drops and the temperature level itself. But azalea is very difficult to attribute to such plants.

"Requirements" azalea to ambient temperature

To a large extent from temperature conditions depends on the successful development and flowering of azalea.

On a note! Main enemy azaleas are an excessively high temperature in the room. If the rhododendron is grown in a stuffy room, also near the batteries central heating, then it will be possible to forget about flowering, and about the successful development of azaleas.

Optimal temperature regime for rhododendron directly depends on the stage of development of the plant. From October to December, during the formation of flower buds, the temperature in the room should be lowered to the maximum possible - from +6 to +10 degrees. On average, from January to February (in this case, we are considering those months in which you can most often see the flowering of rhododendron), the temperature in the room should range from +15 to +17 degrees. As soon as the first flowers appear on the azalea, it is necessary to gradually lower the temperature by a couple of degrees. This will prolong flowering.

Basic rules for competent watering azalea

• Azalea, like all rhododendrons, prefers well-drained soil. Therefore, in no case should you allow the absolute drying of the soil in a pot. Constantly monitor this moment and periodically check the moisture content of the substrate.
• Excessive moisture can also adversely affect the development of the plant. For example, if you actively monitor the degree of soil moisture and do not pour out stagnant water from the pan, this can lead to rotting of the root system.
• For many rhododendrons, the optimal moisturizing scheme is to water the plant once every 2 days.
• The portions of watering themselves should be small in volume. As the azalea grows, these proportions will gradually increase.
• Water quality is one of the determining factors that directly affect plant health. Azaleas are not suitable for watering. tap water. AT without fail such water should be insisted for 1-2 days. During this time, the lime that is detrimental to the plant will settle to the bottom, and the chlorine content will decrease significantly.
• If there is no way to defend the water or you simply forgot to do it, you should boil it and cool it to room temperature. Or use artesian for irrigation.
• Spraying is also important for the plant. They should be carried out on an ongoing basis, but not at the time of flowering.

Solution! For those who often go on business trips or simply cannot boast of an excellent memory, this information will be especially important. If you forgot to water the plant and the soil of the azalea is completely dry, then you should actively work to revive the root system of the plant. Experienced plant growers recommend lowering the pot halfway into a container of water (of course, acceptable for watering an azalea), and then let the water drain and put the flower on a tray. Such a measure will quickly revive the plant!

What soil suits azaleas

Azalea, like many other rhododendrons, prefers acidic soil with a pH level of 4 to 4.5. The soil for azalea can be purchased ready-made, for example, in a specialized store. In this case, you will be 100% sure that it is not infected with any disease or pest.

When you mix the ingredients to prepare the nutrient substrate yourself, it is preferable to sanitize it to avoid problems.

Exist several soil preparation methods for azalea:

• The first way: you can just take heather earth and treat it with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Before planting azalea, the ground should be dried.
• The second way: mix peat, coniferous soil and river sand. As in the first case, the prepared mixture should be treated with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Azalea fertilizers

Only high-quality and well-established complex mineral fertilizers designed specifically for azaleas should be used. It works here important rule: Azalea should be fed only with those fertilizers that have been developed specifically for this type of plant. If there were none at hand, it is better to postpone feeding for a few days and purchase a suitable remedy. Feeding an azalea with unsuitable fertilizers will have a detrimental effect on development indoor flower.

It is important! Always check the expiration date on food. If you find that all the terms have long expired, in no case do not use such top dressing. Otherwise, it will not benefit the plant, but only harm the indoor flower.

Planting an azalea

In order to properly and comfortably transplant an azalea, we need:

• a container with water heated to room temperature;
• clay (better) or plastic pot for transplanting;
• expanded clay (preferably) or any other type of drainage;
• secateurs;
• ready soil for azaleas.

Transplant rules rhododendron:

• You should carefully pull the flower out of the pot and lower its roots into a container with warm water. this should be done so that the old earth quickly and without problems separates from the roots. The duration of the procedure is approximately half an hour. If lumps remain on the roots, they can be gently washed off with a watering can.
• After the root system of the azalea is thoroughly washed, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination of it. If you notice rotten roots, remove them with secateurs.
• At the bottom of a new container for planting azalea, we fill up the drainage. The expanded clay layer should be at least a couple of centimeters thick and no more than three centimeters thick.
• Gently transplant the plant into a new container and fill it with nutrient soil to the same level as it was during the previous planting. So you do not fall asleep the root neck.
• After transplanting, the plant should not be watered immediately, but only after three days. On the third day, water the plant abundantly and also add a preparation for active root growth - zircon.
• The transplanted plant should be fertilized no earlier than two months later.

Transplant for dummies

If you are new to transplanting, then you can use the transshipment method. That is, do not touch and do not wash root system, and transplant directly from earthy clod. When you become skilled in this matter, you can easily transplant indoor plants in any way convenient for you.

Problems when growing azalea

• Weak flowering of azalea in most cases is due to unsuitable temperature conditions for the flower.
• Too much acidic soil leads to the fact that the tops of the shoots of the rhododendron fade.
• Perennial leaf fall is caused by too bright lighting and low humidity.
• Many azalea problems arise from pest attacks. Ticks are of particular danger: strawberry, spider web. they affect shoot tips, buds, buds and flowers. You can deal with them. With a weak infection, it is enough to treat the damaged areas soapy water by gently wiping with a sponge. Spraying with Actellik and Karbofos also helps a lot.

The beautiful azalea is a real decoration of any home! With proper care, it will warm with the warmth of its amazing flowering even in the most severe frosts.

Azalea for its lush flowering is one of the most beautiful indoor plants. But, unfortunately, it often happens that some time after the acquisition, the plant begins to die, because the indoor azalea is a rather capricious flower. Need to create for her Better conditions so that the plant does not begin to dry and shed its leaves. And then Azalea will certainly thank you for your efforts with amazing lush flowers.

From the history of the plant

This indoor flower is evergreen, branched flowering dwarf plant. Its homeland is Japan and China, but it can also be found in southern Europe and North America. Azalea room belongs to the genus of rhododendrons. Rhododendron from the Greek "rhodon" means a rose, and "dendron" means a tree. Otherwise, rosewood. "Azalea" is translated from the ancient Greek language - dry. It is named so because of its appearance, as a rule, it is a dry small shrub. In Russia, they appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, initially they were only in botanical gardens and greenhouses.

AT wild nature there are about 350 representatives of azalea, but there are only two types of room:

Indoor azalea blooms quite abundantly aged 3 to 4 years. She often has bright pink flowers, but often snow-white, rich red, purple, lilac, there are even two-tone ones. Petals of indoor azalea flowers can be terry, slightly terry, just even. Azalea leaves are quite small and dark green in color.

Acquiring intensively flowering indoor azalea, it is better to choose one where there is a significant number of unblown buds, such a plant will quickly adapt to other conditions and will delight with its fabulously beautiful flowers for a long time.

You should also carefully examine the plant for the presence of pests and diseases. By slightly tilting the plant, you can verify the presence of dry leaves, which indicates improper care, illness.

Azalea: how to care at home

In order for a beautifully blooming azalea to please for a long time, it is necessary provide proper care at home for this indoor flower.

Lighting

First of all, after buying an indoor flower, you need to find right place for her. Considering that she is photophilous, but the bright rays of the sun destroy her, the ideal place for her would be on the windowsill on the east side, as an option on the north and west sides. The main thing to remember when leaving is that the light should be diffused, partial shade is also suitable.

During the formation of buds (October - November), care must be taken to ensure that there is sufficient lighting, for example, highlighting a houseplant with fluorescent lamps.

Temperature

When caring for an azalea, you need to know that it plays a significant role maintaining the desired temperature. This indoor plant does not belong to the heat-loving ones, 15-18 0С is the required temperature for it, and when budding it is even lower - from 10 to 12 0С. Thanks to such conditions of detention, flowering can be ensured, and it will be quite long and plentiful.

In summer, the azalea is quite difficult to save from the heat, and, if possible, it is necessary to place it on the balcony (only if it is not on the south side) or if available home air conditioner try to maintain the temperature, not exceeding 20 0С.

Humidity

It needs sufficient moisture, for this the plant is required quite often. spray with slightly cool water from a spray bottle. When the azalea blooms, you need to spray carefully, as from water delicate flowers may darken. Water containers placed around the plant will help to get out of the situation.

In summer, she will feel great in an open space, for example, in a garden. Humidity must be given Special attention and during the heating season.

Watering

He plays important role in the care of any plant, affects the growth, vegetation of the plant. Azalea is especially capricious, therefore, in order not to destroy her, it is necessary follow following rules glaze:

soil for azalea

This houseplant needed acidic soil ph 4 to 4.5. Ready land mixture easily purchased in specialized stores. But the soil is also prepared at home on their own from rotted needles, moss and sand (2: 1: 1).

Azalea pruning and pinching

So that it bushes better, and a bush forms, as well as for more lush flowering it is necessary to take care of it correctly, timely pinching the overgrown stems and cutting them off. After flowering, all single flowers must be removed. Starting in May, it is necessary to constantly cut off fresh shoots and pinch them carefully. The main goal of such care is for buds to appear on the tips of the shoots.

Pruning must be done with a special secateurs. It is not necessary to cut all the branches, only those that are stretched out. As a rule, young leaves will begin to appear a couple of weeks after pruning.

Top dressing for azalea and its growth stimulants

It is necessary to carry out top dressing of this plant mineral fertilizers , while making sure that it does not contain chlorine, otherwise it will destroy it. It is better to purchase Azalea top dressing in specialized stores. In spring and summer, you need to feed once (no more) a week, and in winter time generally only once every 30 days. When buds begin to form and during the flowering period of home azalea, you need to purchase fertilizers that contain enough potassium and phosphorus, for example, Uniflor - Bud, Kemira - Lux.

Transfer

Immediately after the first flowering, it is better to transplant given plant. This must be done carefully, by way of transshipment, keeping a lump of earth, it has very thin roots and is very easy to damage. The pot for transplanting room azalea should be chosen shallow, so the roots can be closer to the surface of the soil.

As a rule, young plants are transplanted once a year, and adults - only once in three years. When transplanting, it is necessary to cut off dried shoots, flowers, branches.

Azalea breeding

indoor flower breeds stem cuttings . It is advisable to do this in the summer. To do this, semi-lignified cuttings with existing buds are planted in the ground, it is advisable to cover glass jar, plastic bag. Watering and spraying - plentiful and regular. If flower buds appear, they are immediately removed.

After a couple of months, when the rooting of the cuttings occurs, it is necessary to plant them in a pot. Elongated shoots are pinched on rooted cuttings to form a crown.

Diseases appear due to improper care: insufficient watering of the plant, exposure to the sun, an increase in the temperature of the room where this flower is located, lack of light, improper soil. Diseases of culture:

Spider mites, scale insects, strawberry mites- pests that can ruin indoor azalea. To fight it is necessary to process home flower by special means. First you need to treat the foliage with a soapy solution, then rinse with warm water and then you need to spray it with the purchased product (for example, Actellik solution).

Azalea - amazing beautiful plant, very often grown by flower growers at home. The plant is considered rather capricious in care. But if you take care of the flower correctly, then you can wait abundant flowering. Watering azaleas is the main component of competent care.

Watering rules

After you have purchased an azalea and it is in a pot, it is recommended that you immediately inspect it for a bay. To do this, pull the plant out of the transport tank and inspect the earthen clod. The ground should be slightly damp. See that water does not ooze from the soil, and there is no unpleasant specific smell. However, if this is observed, then this indicates the bay of the plant.

If the lump is too dry, in this case it is necessary to install it in a container and put it in a container with boiled water. The pot with the plant should stand in the water for about 30 minutes, until the earth ball is completely saturated with moisture. After the tank is taken out and placed on a pallet.

The purchased azalea is watered in several ways:

1. Through the pallet.
2. Watering from above.
3. Immerse the pot in a container of water.

The last watering method is performed periodically. After that, watering the azalea should not be frequent, once a week will be enough. This can be explained by the fact that the earthen ball of the purchased azalea dries out extremely quickly, its soil is very moisture-intensive.

There is a proven way to determine the next watering for an azalea. To do this, you need to take the pot in your hands, and navigate, if the tank is light, then the plant must be watered, if it is heavy, you do not need to moisten the soil.

Novice flower growers believe that the earthy coma of azalea should be constantly wet, but this is not at all the case. Of course, the azalea loves moisture, but it must be watered carefully so that there is no stagnation of water in the pot, as this can provoke rotting of the roots. It is just necessary to control the frequency of watering, the earth should not dry out, but be a little wet. After some time, you will understand how often you need to water your home beauty.

In winter, during flowering, the plant should be watered once or a maximum of twice a week. In the hot season, it is worth moistening the flower every other day, and sometimes every day. It all depends on the temperature of the air in the apartment.

Water for irrigation

It is recommended to water the azalea only with soft water. To do this, fill the containers with water and leave for about 2 days. Boiled water is also perfect for irrigation. To soften the water, then you can use citric or oxalic acid, which you need to add 4 ml per bucket of water.

To increase the level of air humidity, the flower can be placed on a pallet with wet expanded clay. Every day it is necessary to add water to the pan. Only in this case the bottom of the pot should not touch the liquid, otherwise the roots will rot. Expanded clay should be washed every 2 weeks to prevent the development of diseases and infections.

You can also increase the humidity in your home with a humidifier. This is excellent remedy for azalea.

Most flower growers at home use boiled water and spray the plant every day. Spraying must be done carefully so that water does not get on the flowers and buds, otherwise they will rot. During flowering, the humidity level can be increased. To do this, the plant is covered with a damp cloth or gauze. Even near the pot, water tanks are installed.

To measure the humidity of the air, it is recommended to purchase a hygrometer. Thanks to him, you will always know what level of humidity is in the house. Usually in winter, the humidity in the apartment is about 30-40%. But with the help of a humidifier, it can be increased up to 75%. It is the hygrometer that will tell you when to turn on the humidifier.

Care

Temperature and lighting

In order to achieve abundant flowering at home, you should properly care for the azalea. Azaleas usually bloom in winter. It is during this season that it is necessary to provide the plant with warmth and optimal humidity air.

Azalea does not tolerate heat, it is better to keep it in cool places. The beginnings of flowers are formed in autumn, so the temperature should be 7 degrees. But during flowering, the temperature regime should not exceed 19 ° C. It is optimal to grow a home beauty at a temperature of 12 to 15 ° C.

The plant is extremely positive about bright lighting, but the pot must be protected from direct sunlight. Therefore, for a flower, bright rooms should be selected. behind the flower must be literate.

Fertilizer

When growing azalea at home, the plant needs fertilizer. To do this, it is recommended to buy fertilizers for azaleas in the store.

Professionals advise feeding the plant from June to August with fertilizers that contain a high nitrogen content. Closer to autumn and until the end of flowering, fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus should be applied. Since the plant feels great in an acidic environment, for this it is necessary to water the flower once every two weeks with water, to which a little citric acid.

Bloom

During flowering, the home specimen does not like regular movements. Try not to disturb the plant needlessly. It is optimal to place a tank with a flower on the eastern or western windows.

What should be done after the flowering of the azalea? After the flower has faded, it needs to be transplanted into a new tank. It is recommended to remove all dry flowers, as well as weak and thin branches.

Usually, for adult flowers, transplantation is performed once every 3 years, and young specimens are transplanted once a year. During transplantation, it is worth picking up a shallow and spacious pot.

crown formation

For good bushiness, the stems of the plant are necessary, thanks to this, the intensity of flowering can be increased.

Pruning at home must be done correctly. Usually this procedure is carried out after flowering. Young shoots are pinched, and elongated ones are cut a little.

reproduction

It is carried out by cuttings. Basically, cuttings are prepared in the warm season. Preparation of cuttings is carried out in the following way: semi-lignified process should be about 10 cm long.

An undercut is made under the lower rudiment. The lower leaves should be completely cut off. And the rest are cut in half. Then the cuttings must be placed at the cut point in Kornevin's solution.

After 7 hours, the petioles should be planted in a small vessel with nutrient soil. For quick rooting of cuttings, it is recommended to use special heating.

Cuttings need to create appropriate care: water them daily and arrange regular airing. Remember that young plants must be watered with settled water. When the cuttings take their first roots, they need to be moved to new containers filled with coniferous soil. After 8 weeks after transplantation, it is recommended to pinch the cuttings, thanks to which a magnificent bush can be formed.

Diseases and pests

Sometimes the plant can be affected by diseases and pests. Mostly this happens due to illiterate care. The most common azalea diseases are:

• fusarium;
• gray rot;
• rust.

To eliminate diseases, it is necessary to use special drugs.

In addition to diseases, pests such as:

Proper watering of anthurium at home

The difficulty in growing azalea lies in the whimsicalness and capriciousness of the plant. Having bought a flower in a store, you will enjoy its flowering for a week or two, after which the plant, in most cases, sheds leaves and flowers. Azalea is difficult to adapt to new conditions, but you can help her in this process.

We feed the purchased azalea

A tool such as zircon will be required to feed the newly purchased azalea. The product is sold in plastic ampoules, you can buy it in any flower shop. Zircon promotes the growth of the root system, accelerates the adaptation process and stimulates flowering. For ease of use, zircon is poured into a syringe and added to the watering can in 3 drops. It is important to observe the dosage, otherwise the flower will negatively respond to such top dressing.

The drug HB-101 will help to adapt to the new conditions of the azalea. This is effective remedy, moreover, very economical - 2 drops are used on a watering can or spray gun. Another useful drug is Ecogel-antistress. It is used for watering azaleas or spraying leaves.

Fertilizing azalea at home

Every two weeks, a blooming azalea needs to be fed with mineral fertilizers. When buds begin to form on the plant, a solution of superphosphate is used, 15 grams of which is diluted in 10 liters of water. It's easiest to use already finished fertilizer Azalea, which can be easily found in a flower shop. It is balanced by nutrients and you can not be afraid that the plant will get a burn of the roots. For growth and lush flowering, the azalea must be fed with fertilizers, which include potassium and phosphorus. It can be "Kemira-lux" or "Uniflor-buton".

For all types of azaleas, there is a basic rule for top dressing: from the end of spring, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are mainly used, and from August - phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Since the plant prefers acidic soil, once a decade a few drops of citric acid are dissolved in water for irrigation - you should not taste it.

If the leaves of the azalea turn yellow, the plant is fed with ferovit - "Iron Chelate". The powder dissolves in water at the rate of 5 grams of the substance per bucket of liquid.

Garden varieties of azaleas are less demanding on fertilizers if they were originally planted in suitable soil. Garden azalea bushes are mulched at least once a year with organic materials that can acidify the soil.