Azalea
Azalea should be classified as a member of the heather family. This plant grows in mountain forests of the northern hemisphere. Azaleas are sometimes called varieties of rhododendrons that have been adapted for indoor growing.
In nature, azaleas are evergreen and deciduous shrubs or small trees.
Azaleas are 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, when almost all plants rest. This is why many gardeners love azaleas.
There are two types of azaleas most often grown at home: Indian azalea and Japanese azalea. Moreover, the first plant is also known as Sims rhododendron, and the second is obtuse rhododendron.
Indian azalea is a small evergreen shrub, and its height can reach fifty centimeters. The 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 surface is light green and covered with reddish hairs. Flowers are collected in inflorescences, which can be either double or non-double. 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 much less frequently at home. This plant is also a low shrub, endowed with small shiny leaves, the length of which is approximately three to five centimeters. Flowering occurs abundantly with small flowers. The flowers themselves can be of various shades. After flowering, this plant can be planted in open ground. This azalea is quite resistant to frost: it can withstand temperatures down to minus twenty degrees. However, growing this plant in open ground will require certain knowledge and vigilant attention.
Azalea care
This plant can be safely called quite capricious. Therefore, sometimes a pot of a plant just bought in a store after just a few weeks no longer looks at all like a beautiful picture. The leaves may fall off, but the plant itself will remain completely without leaves 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 optimal temperature will be 10-15 degrees. Up to five degrees Celsius, azalea can be kept even on a glazed balcony. However, as soon as the thermometer drops below, the azalea is moved indoors. Very often, gardeners place 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 is already clear, 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: the pot with the plant is lowered into a container containing water. This procedure should last a maximum of four hours.
For irrigation, it is recommended to use rain, melt or distilled water. It is recommended to first keep the tap water in the container for some time, and the optimal solution is to boil it. The plant needs bright lighting, but direct exposure to sunlight should not be allowed under any circumstances.
