Planting, tending, pruning and more

Plant azalea properly

So that the dream of a paradise flourishing azalea fulfilled in the garden, lay the foundation with skilful planting. First check the pH value at the chosen location, as this should be between 4.0 and 5.5. The ideal location is sunny to semi-shady and offers a humus-rich, deep soil. This is how the procedure works successfully:

• Dig a planting hole 30-50 cm deep and four times the diameter of the root ball
• Optimize the excavation with leaf compost, bog bed soil and horn shavings
• Plant the azalea while maintaining the previous planting depth and water with soft water

When planting in a tub, insert a few pieces of pottery shards between the substrate and the opening in the ground as drainage.

care tips

Choosing the right location is half the way to successfully cultivating azaleas. How to care for the rose tree with expertise:

• Keep the substrate constantly moist with soft water
• Fertilize organically or minerally every 4 weeks from April to September
• Rinse faded flowers regularly
• Cut back if necessary at the end of the flowering period
• Light winter protection recommended in the year of planting and in rough locations

Should the rose tree bare from the inside over the years, treat it to a rejuvenation pruning in early spring. Otherwise, pruning measures on this ornamental tree play a rather subordinate role.

Which location is suitable?

In order for a garden azalea to live up to its middle name rose tree, the light and temperature conditions should be as follows:

• Sunny to semi-shady position, with protection from the blazing midday sun
• Airy and cool, without summer heat build-up
• Nutrient-rich, fresh, moist and acidic soil with a pH of 4.0 to 5.5

The wetter the soil, the sunnier the location can be. The small flowering tree finds optimal living conditions when it is planted under the protection of tall deciduous and coniferous trees.

The right planting distance

The expected growth height of an azalea defines the planting distance within a group. The following values ​​have proven themselves in practice:

• Slow-growing species such as Japanese azaleas: 30-50 cm
• Deciduous hybrids such as Knapp Hill Azaleas: 50-80 cm
• Vigorous varieties such as Ghent azaleas: 80-100 cm

The planting distance is measured at crown height from tree to tree.

What soil does the plant need?

In their natural range, azaleas thrive in the loose, humus-rich forest soil of Southeast Asia, which is constantly damp due to frequent rainfall. The closer the conditions in the garden come to these criteria, the more vigorously the opulent flowering tree will thrive. It depends on the following features:

• Light, fresh and moist and rich in nutrients
• An acidic pH of 4.0 to a maximum of 5.5
• No risk of waterlogging

In order for an azalea to thrive in the planter, we recommend using a special rhododendron soil with a correspondingly acidic pH value.

What is the best planting time?

The ideal window for planting an azalea opens twice a year. The best period extends from early September to mid-November. Alternatively, plant the rose tree in the weeks between mid-March and the end of May.

When is flowering time?

The azaleas bloom in the garden in normal weather conditions in April. The magnificent tree flaunts its white, red or violet blossoms well into August/September. If you can't get enough of this enchanting abundance of colors, cultivate an indoor azalea on your windowsill at home throughout the winter. Their flowering period extends from October to April.

Cut the azalea properly

At the end of the flowering period, cut off the wilted azalea flowers so that the rose tree does not invest all its energy in growing seed pods. There is nothing wrong with shortening the ornamental tree to the desired size and thinning it out thoroughly. A topiary also encourages the plant to branch out profusely, for the benefit of a bushy and compact silhouette. An overcast, mild day in March can be considered as an alternative date for pruning, as the leafless state offers a better view of the entire appearance.
Continue reading

watering the azalea

Water an azalea regularly with soft, lime-free water. The substrate should never dry out, even in winter. Ideally, as you walk around the garden every day, check the soil's moisture levels and water if necessary. The rose tree thanks you for a gentle spray mist in the early morning or in the evening hours with fragrant clouds of blossoms over lush green foliage.

Fertilize the azalea properly

In March, start with a starter fertilization to get growth going. Choose organic fertilizers, such as acidic leaf or coniferous compost with horn shavings. Apply compost or an alternative organic fertilizer every two weeks until October. Optionally, you can apply a mineral rhododendron fertilizer with an immediate effect in March and then continue the nutrient supply on an organic basis.

hibernate

Since garden azaleas are among the deciduous ornamental trees and are also completely hardy, well-established specimens do not require extensive winter protection. Only in the year of planting and in rough locations do we recommend the following precautions:

• In the fall the tree disc cover with leaves and pine needles
• Cover the crown of the newly planted tree with jute ribbons or fleece
• Water the azalea when there is a frost on a mild winter day

Wrap several layers of bubble wrap around a bucket and place it on a block of wood. Preferably cover the substrate with peat moss or wood shavings.

propagate azalea

You can choose from the following methods for propagating azaleas:

• Pull the sinker to the ground, dig in the middle and cultivate until a root system has developed
• In summer cut cuttings with a length of 15 cm, place in small pots, put on a hood and keep moist

The lowering method convinces with the advantage that the mother plant continues to take care of the offspring during rooting. The cuttings method scores with the possibility of growing the young azalea on the windowsill throughout the winter in order to plant it out in spring.

How do I plant correctly?

The best time to transplant a rose tree is in the fall. At this time, the azalea takes root more quickly in the sun-warmed soil. In contrast to other ornamental trees, there is no pruning in connection with a change of location. This requirement applies to all rhododendron species, not just azaleas.

Azalea in pot

As a small tree or shrub, the azalea decorates the summer balcony with its lavish blooms when they sour their roots rhododendron soil can stretch out. Drainage above the water outlet in the bottom of the pot prevents harmful waterlogging. Since there is always a higher water requirement in the pot, the daily thumb test is the top priority of the gardener. If the soil feels dry, pour it with soft water. In terms of nutrient supply, care runs in a controlled manner if you administer a liquid azalea fertilizer according to the dosage instructions. If you protect the pretty blossom tree from the blazing midday sun and spoil it every day with a lime-free spray mist, the gem will draw everyone's attention.

Is Azalea Poisonous?

As a member of the heather family of plants, toxic substances permeate an azalea's supply pathways. Eating flowers and leaves can cause significant symptoms of poisoning, so small children and pets should not get near the rhododendron. So that you don't have to worry about unpleasant skin irritations, we recommend wearing gloves for all planting and care work.

Yellow leaves

If the leaves turn yellow well before the start of autumn, the azalea is suffering from leaf chlorosis. This damage results from using hard tap water. If you immediately change the water supply to lime-free water, the tree will recover.

How do I care for an indoor azalea?

For an azalea to bloom on the windowsill from October to spring, it needs a sunny to semi-shady location with cool temperatures not exceeding 18-20 degrees Celsius. In addition, high humidity of 60-70 percent is the top priority. A place on the west or east window is therefore ideal, as well as the south window, provided there is protection from the blazing midday sun. If these site conditions are met, maintenance is quite uncomplicated:

• Water regularly with lime-free water so that the soil never dries out
• Spray with soft, lukewarm water every 1-2 days
• Fluid fertilize with a special preparation for rhododendrons in a highly diluted concentration
• Clean out wilted flowers every few days to encourage new shoots

At the end of the flowering period, cut off all dead flower heads and shorten overly long shoots to the desired length. The beauty of the flowers spends the summer in a semi-shady place under the open sky.

What is the difference between Rhododendron and Azalea?

Within the Rhododendron genus, several species and cultivars are referred to as Azaleas. Although there is still disagreement among experts with regard to the exact systematization, the language used among the Gardeners enforced the following regulation: Azaleas are summer and winter green species of rhododendrons, which are mainly from Japan come. In addition, the non-hardy, evergreen rhododendron species from India are defined as indoor azaleas, as they are ideal for cultivation in flower pots.

Beautiful varieties

• Cabaret: A gorgeous, evergreen Azalea with purple-pink blooms in July and August; Growth height 130 cm
• Arista: Deciduous variety with semi-double pink flowers accentuated with delicate orange; Growth height 120-160 cm
• Petticoat: Impresses with bulging pink flowers and a dramatic fall color; Growth height 60-70 cm
• Sarina: Premium variety with salmon-pink flowers and beautiful autumn colors, robust and hardy; Growth height up to 140 cm
• Goyet: Indian indoor azalea with dark red, ruffled flowers, blooming profusely; Growth height 50-70 cm
• Gold Topaz: Historic Knapp-Hill Azalea with yellow flowers in May to June and robust hardiness; Growth height 120 cm
• Ice Princess: dwarf variety with lush double flowers in pure white; ideal for the tub with a growth height of up to 35 cm