2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Japanese azalea (lat. Azalea japonica) - the collective name for flowering ornamental shrubs of the genus Rodendron (lat. Rhododendron). Previously, the plant was ranked as a separate genus Azalea of the Heather family. To date, the Azalea clan has been disbanded, and all its representatives have entered the Rhododendron clan.
Characteristics of culture
Azalea is a deciduous or evergreen shrub up to 2 m high with a wide-spreading dense crown. The shoots are pubescent or naked, the bark is grayish. The buds are grayish-brown, ovate, pointed, covered with scales, equipped with white ciliated hairs. Leaves are green, oblong or lanceolate, with a wedge-shaped base, dull or with a sharp tip, may be slightly pubescent when unfolded, often with scattered pubescence, sit on short petioles 0.5-1.0 cm long.
The flowers are large, simple or double, blooming simultaneously with the leaves or before they appear. The corolla is wide, funnel-shaped, velvety on the outside, salmon-like, salmon-red, orange-red, brick or two-colored with a yellow-orange speck, reaching 6-7 cm in diameter. The fruit is a capsule, ripens in October. Flowering is profuse and long (about 30-40 days).
Japanese azalea has been widely cultivated in Japan for several hundred years; the plant got to European countries as a room crop. The flowering shrub gained particular popularity in the 20th century, this period became the beginning of their active selection in different parts of the world.
Growing conditions
Japanese azalea is a rather capricious plant, absolutely all the parameters of growing are important for it: illumination, soil composition and temperature. Japanese azalea is grown in regions with a humid and mild climate. The culture does not tolerate direct sunlight, otherwise it weakens, the leaves lose their shape and wrinkle, and the buds fall off even before flowering. That is why it is necessary to plant azaleas in areas with diffused light.
The general condition of the shrubs depends on the soil composition. Fertile, loose, acidic soils are preferred. They acidify soils with peat, sand and coniferous soil. The root system of plants is superficial, and in order to provide them with optimal conditions, you can replace 50-60 cm of the topsoil.
Reproduction
Japanese azalea is propagated by seeds and cuttings. The second method is most common among gardeners. Cuttings are cut from the top of the semi-freshened shoots. It is advisable to carry out the procedure in late March - early April, again depending on climatic conditions. The cuttings should have at least 2-3 healthy, intact buds, and the leaves should be disposed of. It is recommended to cut at an angle of 45 degrees. Before planting, the material is treated with root formation stimulants.
Cuttings are planted in small containers filled with high-moor peat. The bottom of the container must be equipped with a drain hole. After planting, the substrate is spilled abundantly, the cuttings are sprayed and covered with a film. Important: the film cover should not touch the cuttings. The optimum rooting temperature is 18-22C. In the future, regular watering and airing are carried out. The peat used as a substrate must be constantly moistened. Cuttings take root in 1, 5-2 months after planting.
Landing
You can plant seedlings of culture both in spring and in summer. The planting pit should be 50 cm deep and 70 cm wide. Drainage is brought to the bottom of the pit - broken brick or coarse sand (layer about 15-20 cm). It is not forbidden to use crushed limestone as a drainage layer.
Care
Regular watering, timely pruning, feeding and shelter for the winter are the main procedures for caring for Japanese azalea. Pruning is carried out 2 weeks after flowering. Strongly thickening and wilted shoots are removed from plants, the remaining shoots are cut by 1/3 part. All cuts must be covered with garden varnish or drying oil. Azaleas are moisture-loving plants, from a lack of moisture, the plants dry out over time and die as a result. Abundant watering is necessary during the flowering of the culture, but it is not recommended to spray at this moment, otherwise the flowers will be covered with spots.
Azaleas are fed in spring - with mullein solution, and after flowering - with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Moreover, fertilizers are applied 20-25 cm further from the central part of the trunk circle. Fertilizers that are dominated by lime or chlorine should not be used. For the winter, the culture needs shelter. And first of all it concerns the winter sun. Plants can be severely burned if left uncovered. The branches are bent to the ground and covered with spruce branches.
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