Planting, caring for, pruning and more

Planting azalea properly

So that the dream of a heavenly flourishing azalea fulfilled in the garden, lay the foundation stone with the skillful planting. First check the pH value at the selected location, because it should be between 4.0 and 5.5. Ideally, the location is sunny to partially shaded and offers humus, 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 soil and horn shavings
Plant the azalea while maintaining the previous planting depth and water it with soft water

Care tips

Choosing the right location is half of 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
Regularly clean withered flowers
At the end of the flowering period, prune back if necessary
Light winter protection in the year of planting and in rough locations is recommended

If the rose tree should become bald from the inside over the years, treat it to a rejuvenating cut in early spring. Otherwise, cutting measures on this ornamental wood play a rather subordinate role.

Which location is suitable?

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

Sunny to partially shaded location, 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 value of 4.0 to 5.5

The more humid the soil, the sunnier the location can be. The small blossom tree finds optimal living conditions when it is in turn placed under the protection of tall deciduous and coniferous trees.

The correct planting distance

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

Low-growth species, such as Japanese azaleas: 30-50 cm
Foliage 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 forest soil of Southeast Asia, which is constantly moist due to frequent rainfall. The closer the conditions in the garden come close to these criteria, the more vital the opulent blossom tree will thrive. The following features are important:

Loose, 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 a planter, we recommend using a special rhododendron soil with a correspondingly acidic pH value.

What is the best time to plant?

The ideal time window to plant an azalea opens twice a year. The best time is from the beginning of September to mid-November. Alternatively, plant the rose tree between the middle of March and the end of May.

When is the flowering time?

The azaleas bloom in the garden in April when the weather is normal. The splendid tree boasts of its white, red or purple flowers until August / September. Those who can't get enough of this enchanting abundance of colors can cultivate a room azalea on their windowsill throughout the winter. Their flowering period extends from October to April.

How to cut azalea correctly

At the end of the flowering period, cut off the withered azalea flowers so that the rose tree does not invest all of its energy in growing seed heads. There is nothing wrong with shortening the ornamental wood to the desired size and thinning it out thoroughly on this occasion. A shaped cut also encourages the plant to branch out richly, for the benefit of a bushy and compact silhouette. As an alternative date for the pruning, an overcast, mild day in March can be considered, as a better view of the entire appearance is offered in the leaf-free state.
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Watering azalea

Water an azalea regularly with soft, lime-free water. The substrate should not dry out at any time, not even in winter. Ideally, on your daily tour of the garden, check the moisture content of the soil to water if necessary. The rose tree thanks you for a gentle spray mist in the early morning or in the evening with fragrant clouds of flowers over lush green foliage.

Fertilize azalea properly

Start fertilizing in March to get the growth going. Choose organic fertilizers, such as acidic hardwood or coniferous compost Horn shavings.(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) Apply compost or an alternative organic fertilizer every two weeks until October. Alternatively, you can apply a mineral rhododendron fertilizer with immediate effect in March and then continue the nutrient supply on an organic basis.

Overwinter

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

In autumn the Tree grate cover with leaves and pine needles
Wrap the crown of the freshly planted tree with jute ribbons or fleece
When there is a clear frost, water the azalea on a mild winter day

Wrap a bucket with several layers of bubble wrap and place it on a wooden block. The substrate should preferably be covered with peat waste or wood wool.

Propagate azalea

For the propagation of azaleas you have the choice between the following methods:

Pull the sinker to the ground, dig in the center and maintain it until a root system has developed
In summer Cut cuttings 15 cm long, put in small pots, put on a hood and keep moist

The lowering method has the advantage that the mother plant continues to supply the offspring while the roots are growing. The cutting method scores with the possibility of growing the young azalea on the windowsill throughout the winter in order to plant it out in the spring.

How do I transplant properly?

The best time to transplant a rose tree is in autumn. 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 to azaleas.

Azalea in the pot

As a small tree or shrub, the azalea decorates the summer balcony with its lavish bloom when it has its roots in acidic Rhododendron soil can stretch out. A drainage above the water drain in the bottom of the pot prevents damaging waterlogging. Since there is always a higher water requirement in the pot, the daily thumb test is the top gardener's duty. If the earth feels dry, it is poured with soft water. When it comes to the supply of nutrients, care runs smoothly when you administer a liquid azalea fertilizer according to the dosage instructions. If you protect the pretty blossom tree from blazing midday sun and pamper it daily with a lime-free spray, the gem will attract everyone's attention.

Is Azalea Poisonous?

As a member of the heather family, poisonous substances flow through the supply lines of an azalea. Consumption of 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 maintenance work.

Yellow leaves

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

How do I care for a room azalea?

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

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

At the end of the flowering period, cut off any withered flower heads and shorten excessively long shoots to the desired length. The blooming beauty spends the summer in the partially shaded place under the open sky.

How do rhododendrons and azaleas differ?

Within the genus rhododendron, different species and varieties are called azaleas. Although there is still disagreement among experts with regard to the exact systematisation, the linguistic usage among the Gardeners enforced the following regulation: Azaleas are summer and evergreen species of rhododendrons, 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 the flower pot.

Nice varieties

Cabaret: A fantastically beautiful, evergreen azalea with pupur pink flowers in July and August; Height of growth 130 cm
Arista: Deciduous variety with half-double flowers in pink, accentuated with delicate orange; Growth height 120-160 cm
Petticoat: Impresses with its full, double flowers in pink and a dramatic autumn color; Growth height 60-70 cm
Sarina: Premium variety with salmon pink flowers and wonderful autumn colors, robust and hardy; Growth height up to 140 cm
Goyet: Indian room azalea with dark red, ruffled flowers, blooming profusely; Growth height 50-70 cm
Gold topaz: Historic Knapp-Hill azalea with yellow flowers from May to June and robust winter hardiness; Height of growth 120 cm
Eisprinzessin: dwarf variety with lush, double flowers in pure white; ideal for the bucket with a height of up to 35 cm