Azalea at home: planting and care. Beautiful azalea - care and breeding How long to wait after purchasing in a store

Azalea is one of the most beautiful indoor plants because it blooms very profusely. However, flower growers often complain that a short time after purchasing such a flower, it dies. The fact is that azalea is quite capricious plant. In order to prevent the flower from drying out and shedding its leaves, it is necessary to try to create the most suitable conditions for growing such a crop. Only if you provide the azalea with proper care will it bloom very impressively and luxuriantly.

Azalea is a dwarf beautiful flowering plant, which is branched and evergreen. It comes from China and Japan, but in nature this plant can be found in North America and southern Europe. Such indoor flower belongs to the genus Rhododendron. From the Greek “rhodon” is translated as “rose”, and “dendron” is translated as “tree”. Therefore, rhododendron can be translated as “ pink tree" Translated from ancient Greek, “azalea” means “dry”. The name of this plant is associated with its appearance, it is a small dry shrub.

Azalea appeared on Russian territory only at the beginning of the twentieth century, and at first it was grown only in greenhouses or botanical gardens. IN natural conditions There are approximately 350 species of this plant. However, only two of them are grown at home, and the Indian azalea is the most popular. This species is an evergreen shrub whose height does not exceed half a meter. Short-petioled small leaf plates of a dark green color, their length is no more than 35 millimeters. There are pale red hairs on the surface of the leaves. Flowering is observed in winter, with flowers reaching 30–50 millimeters in diameter. Japanese azalea is also an evergreen shrub, its height can vary from 0.3 to 0.5 meters. Its glossy leaf blades are very small. This one differs from the previous species in the size of its flowers; they are much smaller. This species can be grown in the garden.

The flowering of indoor azaleas is distinguished by its splendor. It begins to bloom at the age of 3 or 4 years. Most often, its flowers are colored deep pink, but they can be bright red, lilac, snow-white, violet, and also bicolor. The flowers have slightly double, double and even petals. The dark green leaf blades are relatively small in size.

If you buy lush flowering bush ik azaleas, then in this case it is recommended to choose one that has many unopened buds. The fact is that such a flower adapts to new conditions much faster, and its flowering will be long, lush and spectacular. The purchased specimen must be thoroughly examined, and try to identify signs of disease or the presence of pests, if any. Slightly tilt the bush; if you see dried leaves, this may mean that the flower is sick or has not been cared for properly.

If you care for an azalea grown at home correctly, it will bloom very profusely, beautifully and for a long time.

Lighting

After the flower is purchased, he needs to find the most suitable one in the house. appropriate place. This plant is light-loving, but it needs protection from the scorching direct rays of the sun. In this regard, to grow it, you should choose a window sill with an eastern orientation; a window located on the north or west side is also suitable. It is also important to take into account that the lighting must be diffused, but azalea feels quite good in partial shade. In October and November, when the plant begins to form buds, it will need a large number of Sveta. Good lighting can be provided by illuminating the flower with fluorescent lamps.

The correct temperature regime also plays a very important role when growing a crop such as azalea. This flower, grown at home, is not a heat-loving flower. Optimal temperature for its cultivation - from 15 to 18 degrees. During the period of bud formation, he will need more low temperature- 10–12 degrees. If you maintain the correct temperature when growing azaleas, the flowering will be lush, spectacular and long-lasting. IN summer time It is especially difficult to maintain the required temperature. Experienced gardeners recommend moving it to the balcony at this time, but it should not be located on the south side. If the room has air conditioning, then you should try to ensure that the air temperature in it is no more than 20 degrees.

Such a plant needs to be provided high humidity air. Therefore, it must be sprayed relatively often from a spray bottle, and for this, cool water is used. During the flowering period, spraying the bush should be done with great care because if moisture gets on the surface of the delicate flowers, they may begin to darken. Also, to increase air humidity near the plant, it is recommended to place several open containers filled with water. In the summer, if desired, the azalea can be moved to fresh air, for example, place it in the garden. In winter, when it starts heating season, the level of air humidity must be given maximum attention.

Proper watering is also very important when growing indoor azaleas. He provides strong influence both on the growth and vegetation of such a shrub. It is particularly demanding when it comes to watering, and to avoid the death of the bush, you must strictly follow the following rules:

• It is necessary to water the plant systematically, and during the flowering period watering should be very abundant;
• Under no circumstances should the earthen lump in the pot dry out, but if this happens, then the plant along with the pot must be immersed in a container filled with slightly lukewarm water for 2 hours, during which time it will be absorbed into the soil required amount moisture;
• the substrate should be slightly damp all the time;
• excessive moisture of the substrate must also be avoided;
• It is necessary to pour out the drained water from the pan, otherwise the rhizome may rot;
• if used for irrigation tap water, then it needs to sit for at least 2 days, during which time the chlorine will evaporate and will not be able to harm the bush;
• It is best to water the azalea with melt water, which should be cool;
• To make flowering more abundant, the bush needs to be watered once every 2 weeks (not more often) with a mixture consisting of settled water and 2 or 3 drops of lemon juice.

To grow indoor azaleas, experts recommend using acidic soil, and its pH should be in the range of 4–4.5. If desired, you can purchase a soil mixture in a special store that is ideal for growing such a plant. You can also easily make an earth mixture at home with your own hands; to do this, you need to combine moss, rotted pine needles and sand, which are taken in a ratio of 1:2:1.

Pinching and trimming

To form a beautiful and very lush bush, as well as for more abundant flowering The plant must be provided with proper care. And to do this, you need to trim and pinch the regrown shoots in a timely manner. When the shrub fades, you will need to pick off all the single flowers that have already withered. We should start producing in May regular pruning young, recently grown stems, and they also need to be pinched very carefully. If you trim and pinch correctly and in a timely manner, you will be able to ensure that buds form at the tips of the stems. Experts advise trimming azaleas using pruning shears specially designed for this purpose. It is not at all necessary to prune all branches of a shrub without exception. Only those that have become excessively elongated can be trimmed. Most often, the appearance of young leaf plates is noted about half a month after pruning.

Azaleas grown indoors need to be fed with mineral fertilizers. It is very important to take into account that the fertilizer used should not contain chlorine. The fact is that it is capable of destroying such an indoor flower. To avoid unnecessary difficulties and problems, experienced flower growers It is recommended to buy a fertilizer called “Azalea” in a specialized store. In the spring and summer, feeding should be quite frequent, so they should be done once every seven days, but you cannot feed the flower more often. With the onset of winter, the amount of fertilizing is sharply reduced; at this time, fertilizers need to be applied only once a month. After the period of budding and flowering begins, to feed indoor azaleas you will need to use a fertilizer that contains the required amount of substances such as phosphorus and potassium. For example, at this time you can use Kemira-Lux or Uniflor-Bud for feeding.

Experienced gardeners recommend replanting this shrub immediately after it blooms for the first time. Transplantation should be carried out extremely carefully and for this you need to use the transshipment method, while it is imperative to preserve the integrity of the earthen coma. The fact is that the roots of indoor azaleas are extremely thin and fragile; therefore, during transplantation they can be very easily injured, which is extremely undesirable. The plant should be replanted in a not very deep flower pot, in this case the roots will be relatively close to the surface of the substrate. Experts recommend replanting young specimens annually, and older ones once every 3 years. Dried flowers, stems and branches must be removed from transplanted plants.

, are pests that can ruin indoor azaleas. To combat it is necessary to treat the home flower by special means. First you need to treat the foliage with a soap solution, then rinse with warm water and then you need to spray with a purchased product (for example, actellik solution)

Azalea – evergreen, which can rightfully be called the most bright decoration home flower garden. This plant was brought to the continent from England in the 19th century, but it was not immediately possible to establish it in new conditions. Only thanks to many years of painstaking work by breeders, we were able to grow this capricious, but very beautiful flower in their homes. Caring for azaleas in winter is quite difficult, but the result will be magnificent flowering at a time when others houseplants require complete rest.

Azalea is a plant included in the genus Rhododendron and is a direct relative of the heather shrub. What does she look like externally?

• A small bush with a large number of lateral branches and small leaves; flowers can be simple or double.
• The color of the buds can be very diverse: these are all shades of pink, azalea can also bloom with white, purple or red buds, and there are both early and late flowering varieties.

Azalea remains a favorite plant in many countries. In the east, a bonsai is often formed from such a shrub, which becomes a symbol of prosperity, covered with bright and very beautiful petals.

Azalea is often presented as a gift to lovers of indoor flowers during flowering, and after a few days it completely dries out and dies. This is due to the fact that the conditions of an ordinary city apartment are completely unsuitable for such a flower, and the azalea quickly dies on the windowsill.

In order for this beautiful flower to decorate your home, it will have to create special conditions.

Azalea needs constant care, so you will have to devote enough time to the flower. If you do not have the opportunity to seriously engage in floriculture, it is better to choose less demanding plants to decorate your home.

Optimal conditions for keeping azaleas in winter

Gorgeous delicate azalea requires special temperature regime. In our apartments it is usually too hot for her; the optimal temperature is +10-15 degrees. The maximum temperature is +18, if it is warmer, the plant will quickly begin to dry out.

To make azalea feel comfortable in the room, you can use a few simple tricks:

1. A pot in the room can be lined with ice cubes. This is the easiest way to lower the temperature for the plant and it will feel much better. It is important not to overdo it so as not to damage the roots from the cold.
2. The plant needs to be watered frequently and regularly sprayed with cool water. She might just be room temperature, it is advisable to use distilled water. Maintaining the desired humidity will prevent the leaves from drying out.
3. Azalea will feel good on the loggia and even on open balcony, if the temperature does not drop below +5 degrees. Flowers will form from October until the very beginning of winter, and it is during this time that the plant requires cool weather and wet air. The optimal temperature during this period is +16-17 degrees.
4. It is best to place the plant on the north or east side of the house. It does not tolerate direct sunlight, so the best option placement will be partial shade and shaded area.
5. It is important to maintain a constant watering regime: the soil should be moist at all times, but not too wet. If for some reason the earthen ball has completely dried out, the pot needs to be placed in a container of water for several hours, and after three days you can return to the normal watering regime.

The plant is watered at least 2 times a day, and the higher the temperature in the room, the more abundant the watering should be. In addition, you will have to regularly spray the azalea with water at room temperature. It is not advisable to use tap water: at least you need to let it settle, which will take at least a day.

One of mandatory conditions beautiful long-lasting flowering - proper feeding in accordance with the regime:

• Once every two weeks you can use the mineral fertilizer "Superphosphate": the dosage is about 15 grams per 15 liters of liquid.
• IN flower shop can buy complex fertilizer"Azalea": this is a ready-made set containing a complete set of nutrients and special microelements.
• When buds begin to form, you can speed up the flowering process and make it more lush: for this you need to purchase the complex fertilizer "Uniflor-bud". It contains potassium and phosphorus, which azaleas need during the flowering period.
• Once the azalea has finished blooming and the growing season begins, the azalea will require large amounts of nitrogen to grow green mass. During this period, you can use the special fertilizer "Uniflor-micro". It is necessary to read the instructions and strictly dose the drug: an overdose will not only prevent positive result, but can also cause serious damage to the root system.
• There is another important supplement - “Iron chelate” (another name is “ferovit”). It allows you to provide the leaves with a sufficient amount of iron if the plant begins to turn yellow. It is also important to strictly follow the instructions to prevent excess amounts of microelements from entering the soil.

When purchasing an azalea, you should choose a plant with a large number of buds, which will have only a few blooming flowers. It is this kind of shrub that will delight you with flowering for a long time, and the petals when created correct conditions will not start to crumble.

An important rule: the warmer the room, the shorter the flowering period will be.

So, if the temperature in the greenhouse is only 12 degrees, each azalea bush will be able to delight you with flowers for several months, and if the temperature is higher, this period will be reduced to two to three weeks.

There are several secrets of flower growers that allow you to get abundant and long-lasting flowering:

• Correctly selected soil composition. This is peat, heather and coniferous soil; the substrate should be as light and permeable as possible. This soil mixture dries out very quickly, so you will need to constantly monitor it.
• Azaleas prefer slightly acidified soils. To have a lot of flowers, just add a drop to the water for irrigation once a month. citric acid. This will help maintain optimal balance in the soil.
• It is advisable to replant the flower as rarely as possible. Each replanting is a very serious stress for the plant, so young azaleas (up to 3 years old) are replanted no more than once a year, and older ones - only once every two years. Indications for replanting may be an overgrown root system or rotting roots. Even after purchase, you need to keep the plant in the same soil for as long as possible, and for replanting you need to select special soil designed specifically for rhododendrons.
• You cannot loosen the soil. Azalea has very thin, delicate roots that are quickly damaged when the soil is mixed. Specially selected light soils provide a sufficient flow of oxygen to the roots, so additional loosening can be abandoned.

In order for the bush to bloom longer, faded buds must be removed immediately, in addition, the seed pods must be removed. This will allow the plant to save strength for new flowers.

Timely pruning of the plant and pinching out shoots will also help prolong the flowering period. How more luxuriant bush, the worse it will bloom, so it is important to pay attention correct formation crowns Pruning of shoots is carried out starting in May. The buds form at the tops of the shoots, so you need to make sure that there are as many of these tops as possible.

Azalea can be turned into a small one beautiful tree, like a Japanese bonsai or into a small bush with a large number of lateral shoots.

To form a tree crown, the largest branch is selected, and other shoots are removed. When the branch reaches the right size, the top is pinched and the lateral shoots begin to grow. In this case, the plant must be rotated so that the crown is formed evenly, and the tops of the overgrown branches must be pinched. To form a crown-bush, you need to pinch the branches at a distance of 12 cm from the root, and regularly turn the plant when lateral shoots appear. Then the shoots will stretch evenly, and the bush will look beautiful. With each pruning, all diseased and damaged shoots are removed.

Azalea will appreciate your care: if you control the growth and formation of new shoots, as well as ensure compliance with the temperature regime, the plant will become a real decoration of the flower garden. From the side, the flowering bush is completely covered with buds, and you can’t even see the leaves on it, which looks simply wonderful.

Although azalea - capricious flower, it is quite possible to create acceptable conditions for it that will ensure constant excellent flowering. It can be made a real decoration for a balcony or greenhouse; it looks great in a home summer garden.

Azalea easily tolerates outdoor coolness, so pots can be placed on open terraces in late summer and early autumn.

The main condition for rapid growth and excellent flowering is the attention and care of the owner. This plant is sensitive to the owner’s attitude, and with proper care it will constantly delight you with bright buds. The fragile northern beauty can become a permanent inhabitant of your garden, and you can experiment by growing plants with different colors petals.

More information about caring for azalea can be found in the video.

Azalea (lat. Azalea)- general name for some beautiful flowering species of the genus Rhododendron, which were previously classified as a separate genus of the Heather family. Actually, these are the same rhododendrons, only indoors. In nature, there are about 350 representatives of azaleas, but in indoor culture Only two species are grown.

Azaleas come from China and Japan, but today they can be found in Europe and North America. The generic name "rhododendron" consists of two Greek words that are translated as "rose" and "tree", that is, "rose tree". And “azalea” translated means “dried, waterless”: in nature, azalea is a small dry shrub. Azalea appeared in cultivation in the 17th century, and by 1820 the first varieties of the plant were bred, of which there were already more than a thousand by the beginning of the last century.

Planting and caring for azalea

• Bloom: from 2 to 6 months from December to March, sometimes even to April.
• Lighting: diffused light or light partial shade from western or northern window sills.
• Temperature: for normal growth and development, it is advisable to maintain a room temperature of 15-18 ˚C, for successful formation of buds - 10-12 ˚C, and for long and abundant flowering - 20 ˚C.
• Watering: often (daily or every other day, sometimes twice a day) and abundantly. Exactly how much depends on the level of air humidity in the room. It is best to simply place snow or pieces of ice on the surface of the substrate, which, when melted, will saturate the substrate with moisture and refresh the plant on a hot summer day. From time to time, dissolve a teaspoon of lemon juice in 2 liters of water for irrigation. In the fall, watering is reduced, but by the time of flowering, watering should again become frequent and abundant.
• Air humidity: increased. It is recommended to spray the leaves with a fine spray or keep the flower on a tray with wet pebbles.
• Feeding: in spring and summer - once a week, in winter - once a month. For feeding, use the Azalea mineral complex or another composition for flowering plants, does not contain chlorine. During budding and flowering, the plant will need more potassium.
• Trimming: At the beginning of active growth, shorten strongly grown shoots, and during the growing season, pinch the tops so that the plant bushes more strongly and subsequently blooms profusely.
• Rest period: within two months after flowering.
• Transfer: if necessary, when the pot becomes too small for the plant.
• Reproduction: cuttings.
• Pests: spider mites, rhododendron bugs, azalea moths, greenhouse thrips.
• Diseases: fusarium, verticillium, alternaria, septoria, late blight, cercospora, phyllostictosis, necrosis and mixed chlorosis.

Read more about growing azaleas below.

Azalea flower - description

Azaleas are divided into two groups:

• deciduous plants, including small trees;
• evergreens.

Azalea flowers have five stamens, while rhododendron flowers have 7 or more - this is the main difference between azaleas and rhododendrons. Indoor azalea is one of the most beautiful plants, however, she is quite capricious. The azalea plant can bloom for up to six months with simple, double or densely double white, red, pink, dark purple and variegated flowers, but on average the flowering period lasts just over two months. Azalea leaves are small and dark green.

Azalea after purchase

The azalea flower usually appears in stores from December to March, and if you bought a plant or received it as a gift, you need to know how to properly care for it, because home azalea at poor care and in unsuitable conditions it drops its buds, loses its leaves and eventually dies.

How to care for an azalea? What conditions does this plant require? House azaleas suffer from high temperature and dry air: for normal development, 15-18 ºC is enough for them; during the budding period, the temperature should be even lower - from 10 to 12 ºC, and azaleas bloom at a temperature no higher than 20 ºC. Therefore, the purchased flower should be placed in the coolest place, away from operating heating devices.

Bright sunlight is also harmful to azaleas, so place the pot with the plant on a western or northern windowsill. In the warm season (from May to October), it is advisable to keep the azalea on fresh air– on a balcony, loggia, terrace or in the garden.

Soil for azaleas

Azalea develops well only in acidic soil: the pH value should be in the range of 4.0-4.5 pH. Buying a substrate for azaleas is not a problem; it is sold in every flower shop. But you can make the soil yourself: mix sand, moss and rotted pine needles in a ratio of 1:1:2. To disinfect, spill the substrate strong solution potassium permanganate.

Watering an azalea

Water the azalea abundantly, every day or every other day, depending on the air humidity in the room. In extreme heat, you may need to water the plant twice a day, as the soil in the pot should be slightly moist at all times. You need to pour cold, settled water onto the surface of the soil. It is even better to use rain or melt water for moisturizing. Inventive azalea lovers came up with the idea of ​​placing a layer of snow or pieces of ice on the ground: at above-zero temperatures they melt, and cold melt water penetrates into the soil. From time to time, add lemon juice to the water for irrigation (a teaspoon per 2 liters of water) to make the azalea bloom even more abundantly and brightly. Do not forget to drain excess water from the pan, otherwise the azalea roots will begin to rot.

If for some reason you have severely dried out the soil in which the azalea grows, you need to place the pot with the plant in a container of water for 3-4 hours, but so that the water does not overflow into the pot. When the azalea earthen ball is saturated with moisture, remove the pot from the water and allow excess moisture drain from the drainage holes and place the plant in its usual place. Regular watering resume after 3-4 days.

In October, watering is gradually reduced, but in December, when the azalea begins to bloom, it will again need abundant moisture. By the way, azalea blooms for the first time at the age of three or four.

If the air in the apartment is dry, you are unlikely to like it exotic plant: the air in the room needs to be humidified using a fine spray, trying to ensure that the water does not fall on the azalea leaves. You can place the pot with the plant on a tray with wet pebbles, but only so that the roots and pebbles do not come into contact. Or place jars of water around the plant.

Feeding azaleas

Feed azaleas with mineral fertilizers for flowering plants, making sure that they do not contain chlorine. It is best to use Azalea fertilizer for fertilizing: in spring and summer, fertilizing is applied once a week, and in winter - only once a month. During the formation of buds and during flowering, azaleas will need fertilizer with a high potassium content, for example, Kemira-lux or Uniflor-bud.

Azalea pruning

In order for azaleas to bush better and bloom more luxuriantly at home, you need to pinch and trim the overgrown stems in a timely manner. After the blooming azalea has stopped forming new buds and the flowers have begun to fade, you need to remove the browned leaves from the bush, trim off weak and elongated shoots, and then remove all the flowers along with the pedicels. If there is a need to replant an azalea, the best time for this is immediately after flowering has ended.

A month later, at the stage of development of 3-4 pairs of leaves on young shoots, their tops are pinched. You will need to pinch the ends of the shoots a couple more times, and then buds will appear at their ends again. The last pinching is carried out at the end of July or beginning of August, but this time it is not necessary to pinch all the shoots: only those that have become very elongated are shortened. Pruning (pinching) azaleas is a technique that increases the intensity of flowering. By the way, if, simultaneously with the formation of buds, new shoots begin to grow near them, they should be removed.

Transplantation and propagation of azaleas

When replanting an azalea after flowering, do not immerse the root collar in the soil, otherwise the plant will die. Also try not to damage the roots of the azalea: do not touch its earthen lump unless absolutely necessary. How to replant an azalea without harming it? If the pot becomes too small for the plant, simply transfer it along with the lump into a new container, the diameter of which should be 2 cm larger than the previous container. You already know what kind of soil azaleas need.

At home, azalea propagates mainly by cuttings. However, this is a long and troublesome task, so it is much easier to buy a plant in a store. But if you still want to start propagation, use a sharp blade or knife to cut 10-15 cm long pieces from young, not yet lignified shoots of the plant. The lower cut should pass under the bud. Leaves from the bottom of the cuttings must be removed. The cuttings are planted in moist peat to a depth of 5 cm, the substrate around them is squeezed well and each cutting is covered. glass jar. You can plant the cuttings in a mini-greenhouse and cover them with a transparent lid. The rooting procedure should take place at a temperature of 25 ºC. The covering is removed two to three times a day to ventilate and, if necessary, moisten the substrate. Rooting lasts about six months, after which the seedlings with developed roots are planted in a permanent container and conditions are created for them as for adult plants.

You can try to root azalea cuttings. Make a small cut on the side shoot under the bud (there must be one pair of leaves above the bud), place the layer on the soil in the pot, fix it in this position and sprinkle it with soil. When the cuttings have rooted, be very careful not to damage them. mother plant, separated and transplanted into a pot.

Diseases and pests of azaleas

Azalea diseases are most often associated with violation of the rules of care and maintenance: too high a room temperature, poor lighting, insufficient or excessive watering, planting in soil of inappropriate composition. There may, of course, be other reasons.

A lack of moisture in the soil and air can be indicated by limp, wrinkled or falling leaves and buds of the azalea. Correct your mistakes and keep in mind for the future that when the air temperature rises, watering should be more abundant and more frequent, and when the temperature drops, the amount of moisture should be reduced. Watering with hard water also harms the plant: tap water must be left to sit for at least two days, otherwise the leaves begin to turn yellow and fall off, and the flowering of the azalea becomes sparse.

Poor light and direct sunlight also harm the plant, so try to find a suitable place for your azalea. The health of the flower is affected by the composition of the soil that does not meet its needs: the substrate for azaleas should be acidic, not neutral, and certainly not alkaline.

Azalea is very resistant to pests, but in conditions of insufficient watering and dry air it can be occupied by spider mites, which make small punctures on the leaves of the plant and suck out cell sap. If you find discolored spots and fine cobwebs on the foliage, immediately wash the azalea leaves on all sides with a weak tobacco solution with the addition of liquid detergent. Remember to protect the soil in the pot from alkali. 2-3 hours after treatment, azalea leaves should be washed well with clean cold water.

Effective against mites pollinating azaleas with sulfur powder or treatment with acaricidal preparations - Actellik, Aktara, Karbofos. Both pollination and spraying should be carried out outside the apartment, preferably in the open air, and as many times as needed to destroy pests. The interval between treatments is from 7 to 10 days.

Types and varieties of azaleas

Numerous varieties and varieties of the following types of azaleas are grown indoors:

• Simps's rhododendron, or Simps's azalea, or Indian azalea, is a hybrid plant with a rich history;
• rhododendron obtuse, or Japanese azalea.

Both of these species are dwarf shrubs with a height of 30 to 50 cm. Varieties and hybrids of azaleas according to flowering periods are divided into early flowering, the flowering of which continues from late October to early January, mid-flowering (from January to March) and late flowering (from January to early May ). The most popular early-blooming azaleas are:

• Adventglockchen– a variety with bell-shaped simple or slightly double crimson-red flowers with a diameter of up to 6 cm;
• Dresden 1936– shiny medium double flowers salmon pink shade;
• Doberlug– double dark pink flowers up to 7 cm in diameter with a white border of irregular outline;
• Weiss Shame– wide-funnel-shaped double flowers with a diameter of 6.5 cm white with a cream or soft pink tint;
• Erie– semi-double carmine-pink flowers with a diameter of about 7 cm with a white border of irregular shape;
• Orange Bowen– semi-double raspberry-red flowers with a diameter of 5 to 6.5 cm;
• Enzette Dagmar– shiny double flowers up to 7 cm in diameter, intense pink;
• Helmut Vogel- Very early variety azaleas with double purple-red flowers with a diameter of 7 cm.

Medium-flowering azaleas are represented by the following popular varieties:

• Albert-Elizabeth– white or soft pink double flowers up to 8.5 cm in diameter with a red border along the edges of the petals;
• Apollo– simple and slightly double flowers, slightly wavy along the edges of the petals, brick-red flowers with a diameter of 7 cm;
• Avenir– semi-double, bright salmon-carmine flowers up to 8 cm in diameter with an intense carmine tint in the folds of the petals;
• Florida– simple dark red flowers up to 6 cm in diameter;
• Leopold Astrid– double flowers of soft pink color with a diameter of 7 cm with a red border and petals corrugated at the edges;
• Max Shamet– double, salmon-colored flowers with strongly corrugated petals, up to 6.5 cm in diameter, with a white border along the edge.

Of the azaleas that bloom later than other varieties, the following are popular:

• Niobe– double white flowers up to 7.5 cm in diameter with a greenish throat and red specks on the petals;
• Concinna– a vigorous variety with simple funnel-shaped light lilac flowers up to 7 cm in diameter with bright crimson specks;
• Ernest Tiers– semi-double raspberry-pink flowers with a diameter of about 8 cm;
• Coelestinum– simple intense carmine flowers with a diameter of 6 cm;
• Hexe– a vigorous variety with double flowers of a bright wine shade;
• Professor Walters - simple funnel-shaped flowers of a bright light salmon hue, up to 7.5 cm in diameter with almost white edges, the three upper petals are decorated in the throat with crimson-red specks;
• Sakuntala - white double flowers up to 7.5 cm in diameter with green specks in the throat.

You can divide azalea varieties by color. For example, to varieties with white flowers, in addition to those that we have already described, include Mary, Heidi, Watercolor, Snowflake, Schneg, Rose Belton. Azaleas with red flowers: Simon, Holland, Knut Even, Eclair, Ilona, ​​Frau Elsa Kärgeri. Raspberry flowers in the Cosmos variety, lilac– in the varieties Flamenco, Violyacea multiflora, Ostalette and Temperance, and pink– azaleas have Terra Nova, Pink Pearl, Oslo, Scarlet Flower, Rays, St. Valentine and Rosalie.

4.2222222222222 Rating 4.22 (18 votes)

After this article they usually read

Gorgeous blooming azaleas are quite readily purchased in winter, to New Year's holidays. It is at this time that the azalea blooms. It’s winter outside, but there’s such charm here: once you see a blooming azalea, you won’t be able to forget it. It’s just a shame that all this splendor often cannot be preserved for a long time. The reason is azalea care features.

When buying azaleas in a store, pay attention to the flowers and buds. It is better to choose an azalea that has only a few blooming flowers and many unopened buds.

Also, pay attention to the buds: there should be no browned buds among them - they will never open. The presence of browned buds is evidence improper care or illness. Azalea leaves should be healthy and dark green. Before going outside, pack the purchased azalea well so that it does not freeze during transportation.

Lighting for azalea

At home, it is advisable to choose the brightest, but at the same time the coolest place for azaleas. It is better not to place an azalea on a south window, it will be hot there, but eastern, south-eastern windows are just right for an azalea.

Temperature and humidity for azaleas

Temperature of keeping azaleas quite cool - only + 10+15°C. Azalea does not tolerate subzero temperatures, but dry air in a hot room is just as harmful for her.

Of course, with such requirements at home it is difficult to maintain azaleas, but frequent spraying with cold boiled water helps. Water for watering and spraying azaleas can be placed in the refrigerator. When spraying, make sure that water does not get on the flowers. Also, when spraying your azalea, make sure the undersides of the leaves are very well moistened.

Soil mixture for azaleas

The soil mixture for azaleas should be loose and acidic. Nowadays, soil mixture for azaleas can be bought in the store. For azaleas, soil mixtures for ferns and terrestrial orchids are also suitable. If you make up the soil mixture yourself, then the main components will be turf or leaf soil, sand, and high-moor peat. Azaleas can be grown hydroponically.

Watering an azalea

Very important for azaleas proper watering. The root system of azaleas is very dense, resembling a lump of felt, so azaleas do not tolerate drought or moisture equally well. Both a lack of water and its excess lead to darkening and falling leaves. And as a result, the dense crown of the tree leaves a bare skeleton in a short time. And not just any water is suitable for irrigation; azaleas only like cold and soft water. Since azalea does not tolerate lime at all, you should add a few drops of vinegar, a couple of crystals of citric (or oxalic) acid or a little lemon juice to the water for irrigation. From time to time (just not during flowering!) you need to arrange azaleas ice shower, first cover the surface of the earth in the pot with polyethylene film, thus protecting the earthen lump from erosion, as well as from excess moisture.

In winter, azaleas can be cooled with snow or pieces of ice by simply placing them on the surface of the soil in the pot. By the way, this will not only cool the azalea, but also a method of watering. To cool azaleas in the summer, freeze water in freezer refrigerator. As it melts, simply add ice cubes to the surface of the soil in the pot.

Fertilizers for azaleas

Fertilizers for azaleas Not all are suitable. To feed azaleas, you can use special candle fertilizers, which are enough for almost the entire season, or liquid fertilizer or orchids. Ash is excluded as a feed for azaleas, and many others mineral fertilizers are not suitable because they contain a lot of mineral salts, which form a white coating in the pot.

Pinching, pruning azaleas

Withered azalea flowers must be promptly removed along with the stalks. And in the same way, constantly collect browned leaves. This is very important - the crown of the azalea is dense and in conditions of poor ventilation various rots can quickly spread.

In order for the azalea to branch well and have a thick and regular crown, its shoots should be pinched regularly. Best time to pinch an azalea- the beginning of summer, after the azalea has bloomed and started growing.

When pinching, it is important not to cut off last year’s lignified shoots; only young shoots are pinched, shortening them by 2-5 cm. After each pinching, azaleas are given a cold shower with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or sprayed with a solution of phytosporin.

Azalea pruning consists of removing weak, diseased or dead dried shoots.

Azalea propagation

Despite all the difficulties of keeping azaleas, it is still interesting to know: is it possible to propagate azaleas at home? Yes, it's quite possible propagate azalea by cuttings. In July, cuttings should be taken from the strongest and healthiest azaleas. At the bottom of each cutting, remove all the leaves, leaving only 3-4 at the top. By the way, these remaining leaves can be shortened by half (the area for moisture evaporation will be less). Azalea cuttings prepared for rooting are treated with a rooting stimulator, for example, a heteroauxin solution, planted in an earthen mixture consisting of four parts sand and one part peat, and covered with a glass jar or plastic bag. Only by the end of August - mid-September do the cuttings take root.

Much easier propagate azalea by layering. Of the entire azalea bush, it is preferable to choose last year's shoot, which is closest to the ground. This shoot must be tightly tied with copper wire and buried in the ground in the same or another pot. All summer, the ground under the azalea and under the place where the shoot is buried is regularly watered. Watering the rooted shoot with a heteroauxin solution accelerates the root formation process. You can water azalea cuttings with this solution every 20-30 days. Separate azalea cuttings from the mother bush it is possible only after a year, next autumn. But already in the spring, young azalea bushes begin to bloom.

Problems with growing azaleas

Quite often due to improper watering, low air humidity, high temperature in the room or too bright sun, wrinkled leaves appear on the azalea, brown spots appear on the leaves, the tips of the leaves turn black and dry, buds fall off, the flowering period is too short.

Adjust watering and increase air humidity around the azalea. It is better to remove a pot of azaleas from bright sun, especially in spring and summer. Reduce the air temperature around the azalea using ice.

Another common problem with growing azaleas is leaf chlorosis.

Leaf chlorosis develops due to a lack of iron, magnesium or manganese, too hard water for irrigation, or an incorrectly selected soil mixture.

To get rid of leaf chlorosis, water the azalea with soft, slightly acidified water and fertilize with iron chelate. If the soil mixture was initially chosen incorrectly, then the azalea will need to be transplanted into another mixture more suitable for azaleas.

Azalea is famous for its amazing flowers and extremely capricious character. It is because of this that it is very difficult for novice gardeners to properly care for this plant. But one look at a flowering bush is enough to understand that the amazingly beautiful flowers are worthy of any difficulties. Let's talk about what kind of care azaleas need at home so that the plant can only delight with its presence.

Let's not argue - azaleas are quite demanding. Of the most important conditions, promoting good growth plants, we can immediately name the following:

• Cool;
• Fresh air (drafts are not scary for her);
• Abundant watering clean water and regular spraying to maintain humidity;
• Acidic soil.

Indoor azalea needs enough sunlight, but do not be too zealous - the plant does not tolerate heat and direct sunlight. Ideal place The content is the window sill facing north.

Optimal temperature for keeping azaleas

The optimal temperature for azaleas is 17 degrees Celsius. It is clear that in the summer it is very difficult to achieve such a temperature regime, but it is at this time that the azalea begins a period of rest. A pot with a plant may well be in the garden or on a shaded open veranda.

To make caring for the plant easier during this period, it is recommended to bury the pot with an azalea after putting a nylon stocking on it. This will help prevent various pests from entering the soil. In order for flowering to be lush, a low temperature is required at the time of bud laying - within 6-8 degrees. And by the time the buds are ready to bloom, you need to raise the temperature to the usual - 17 degrees.

Humidity and watering

To ensure that caring for azaleas does not disappoint with its results, it is important to remember one rule - azaleas need high humidity air! At home, achieving the necessary parameters and constantly maintaining them is very difficult. However, there is one way that will help you in this difficult matter.

• Take a wide tray and place large pebbles on the bottom;
• If finding pebbles is problematic, you can replace them with pieces of moss (sphagnum is ideal for this purpose);
• Now pour water into the tray so that it covers the filler;
• Place a pot with a plant on top;
• Your task is to ensure that there is always water in the pan.

However, these are not all the tricks that help create the desired humidity. Daily care for this plant also includes regular spraying from a spray bottle. During the flowering period, it is advisable to prevent water from getting on the buds and flowers, otherwise they may become stained.

Try to choose a spray bottle with small holes for spraying. If you can’t find one, it’s better not to spray the plant, but simply wipe the leaves with a damp piece of cloth.

It is necessary to water the azalea soft water. In this case, the soil should be moist all the time, but not turn into a swamp. Try not to let sharp changes soil moisture, otherwise care will not be successful. If you first dry out the azalea and then suddenly flood it with water, you will get a balding plant without flowers or buds.

If it is not possible to arrange water procedures with melt water (or rain), then you can periodically add a little natural apple or wine vinegar to the water for irrigation. Lemon juice is also suitable for these purposes: 10-15 drops per liter of water will be enough.

Caring for azaleas during and after flowering

Caring for azaleas is almost the same at any time: both during the flowering period and after the buds fall off. Try to provide the plant with plenty of indirect sunlight. Before flowering, do not move the pot, otherwise you may not get the desired result in the form of a lush flowering crown.

Find a suitable place in advance where the flower can show itself in all its glory. Perhaps it will be a window in the southwest or southeast direction. Make sure that the flower is as far as possible from the radiator or other heating devices.

Flowers that have already bloomed must be carefully removed from the plant. This way it won’t waste extra energy on seed formation. The correct thing to do is not to break off the peduncle, but to carefully unscrew it, being careful not to catch the neighboring buds.

In late spring, when the plant has already bloomed, it can be replanted. Since azalea has a superficial root system, it is better to give preference to shallow and fairly wide pots. Very young plants need replanting annually; for older and mature flowers, it is enough to carry out the procedure once every 2-3 years.

After flowering, it is necessary to prune the plant to form a beautiful crown - remove all dried or overgrown branches. This will help the azalea grow new green mass while looking neat and lush. By following these simple rules, you will understand that caring for indoor azalea not that complicated. And your friends and acquaintances will appreciate the beauty of this amazing flower.