Azalea

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Azalea should be attributed to the heather family. This plant grows in the mountain forests of the northern hemisphere. Azaleas are sometimes referred to as varieties of rhododendrons that have been adapted for home cultivation. In nature, azaleas are evergreen and deciduous shrubs or small trees.

Azalea is used almost everywhere as indoor plants. The secret lies not only in the amazing beauty of the plant, but also in the fact that flowering occurs in the winter period, when almost all plants are resting. That is why many gardeners love azaleas.

At home, two types of azalea are most often grown: Indian azalea and Japanese azalea. Moreover, the first plant is also known as the Sims rhododendron, and the second is the blunt rhododendron.

Indian azalea is a small evergreen shrub, and its height can reach fifty centimeters. Young shoots of this plant are covered with hairs, the leaves themselves are very small in size, their upper surface is painted in dark green tones, and the lower one is light green and covered with reddish hairs. Flowers are collected in inflorescences, which can be either double or non-double. Moreover, the color of this plant varies from white to bright and rich red. Sometimes you can find flowers of two tones: for example, white with a pink center, speckled or with a border of a different shade.

As for the Japanese azalea, it is grown at home much less often. This plant is also a short shrub, endowed with small shiny leaves, which are about three to five centimeters long. Flowering is abundant in small flowers. The flowers themselves can be of various shades. After flowering, this plant can also be planted outdoors. This azalea is quite frost-resistant: it can withstand temperatures up to minus twenty degrees. However, growing this plant outdoors will require some knowledge and vigilant attention.

Azalea care

This plant can be safely called quite moody. Therefore, sometimes a pot with a plant just bought in a store after only a few weeks does not look like a beautiful picture at all. Leaves may fall off, and the plant itself will remain completely leafless and its general appearance will be extremely emaciated. However, if the necessary conditions are created, this plant can grow for a long time.

Azaleas need coolness: the temperature should not be higher than eighteen degrees Celsius. In this case, the optimum temperature will be 10-15 degrees. Azalea can be kept up to five degrees Celsius even on a glazed balcony. However, as soon as the thermometer drops below, the azalea is transferred to the room. Very often, flower growers spread pieces of ice around the edges of the azalea pot, constantly water the plant with cold water and spray it regularly. Very dry and warm conditions are contraindicated for this plant.

As already clear, the azaleas need intensive watering. However, the soil in the pot should not be wet, just damp. When the temperature is quite low, watering can be reduced and spraying should be stopped altogether. As for elevated temperatures, here you should act exactly the opposite. Dry soil should be moistened, this is done as follows: a pot with a plant is lowered into a container in which water is located. This procedure should last a maximum of four hours.

It is recommended to use rain, melt or distilled water for irrigation. It is recommended to first keep tap water in the container for some time, and boiling is the best solution. The plant needs bright lighting, but in this case, direct sunlight should not be allowed in any case.