indoor azalea

Indoor azalea is popular among many gardeners despite the fact that it is difficult to grow. However, with a little patience and compliance with some rules of agricultural technology, the azalea will delight you with its long flowering. The flowering time of the flower differs depending on the variety.

Care and cultivation of indoor azaleas

Azaleas are kept in a well-lit room at a temperature of 15-18 degrees. During the period of bud formation, keep at a temperature of 6-8 degrees. The temperature is increased to 15 degrees at the time of flowering. Despite the fact that indoor azalea requires bright light, the plant must be shaded from direct sunlight. Indoor azaleas are watered regularly; the soil should always remain moist. To maintain the necessary air humidity, the indoor azalea is sprayed with settled water, a shower is given with cool water, and the pot with the plant is placed on a tray with pebbles or expanded clay. When spraying flowering azaleas, you should avoid getting moisture on the flowers. During the period of active growth, every 2-3 weeks they are fed with complex mineral fertilizers (without chlorine), and during the period of bud formation – with phosphorus fertilizers. The soil is periodically acidified by watering with water with 2-3 drops of citric acid. Acidification of the soil is carried out approximately once a month. To grow indoor azaleas, choose wide, not very deep pots. Every spring, adult azaleas are pruned and weak shoots are removed. During the dormant period, indoor azaleas are kept in a cool, dark place, usually in the basement.

Young azaleas are replanted annually (in spring); older plants are replanted every 2-3 years. When replanting, the root collar should not be buried.

Reproduction

Indoor azaleas are propagated by cuttings, usually in early summer. When propagating by cuttings, cuttings 4-6 cm long are taken. An oblique cut of approximately 45 degrees is made on the lower part of the cutting. The lower 2-4 leaves are cut in half and the existing buds are removed. Then the cuttings are treated with a means to accelerate rooting and planted in the substrate to a depth of about 2 cm and covered with polyethylene on top. Cuttings are planted in drained soil for azaleas; cuttings can be rooted in sand or peat. The cuttings are rooted in a bright place at a temperature of 20-30 degrees. Up to two times a day, the cuttings are sprayed with water and watered moderately. A sign of rooting will be the appearance of new leaves. Cuttings can be rooted in water in a dark glass container.

Pains and pests

Indoor azalea can suffer from aphids. spider mites, scale insects. Sometimes it can be affected by gray rot, or leaf spot may develop.