Flowers of Azalea. Care and reproduction

Azaleas are called rhododendrons, adapted to room conditions, belonging to the family of heather. These amazing flowers, in natural conditions, grow in mountain forests in the cool conditions of the northern hemisphere. There are among them, as deciduous, and evergreen shrubs or low trees. For cultivation in the room conditions, the azaleas of Japan and the azalea of India are best suited, and the latter is more preferable.

The Indian azalea or the Simsa rhododendron is an evergreen shrub that reaches a height of 50 cm. Young shoots usually have flat bristly hairs of bright red or chestnut-brown color. On short-petalled small leaves, reddish hairs on the lower light green side are also noticeable, the upper leathery surface is painted in a dark green tone. When the blossoming comes - all the buds open simultaneously. Inflorescences of double or non-double flowers, in shape - funnel-shaped, wide, reaching in diameter from 3 to 5 cm, have a variety of colors, ranging from white to purplish red. Quite often there are azaleas with bicolour flowers.

Distinctive features of the azalea of Japanese, which is not so popular in indoor floriculture, are smaller flowers (up to 3 cm) and the fact that after the end of flowering this shrub can be planted in the front garden. He successfully tolerates frosts up to 20 degrees. In other respects, azalea Japanese has the same structure and coloring of flowers and leaves, as well as Indian.

Flowers azalea, care for them

It should be noted immediately that azaleas - plants are rather capricious and require certain conditions for successful cultivation. Otherwise, a delicious flower bought or donated will run the risk of being in a trash can, since very often, when acceptable conditions are not created, immediately after flowering, it loses its leaves and dies. Therefore it is necessary to create suitable conditions, so that for many years the flowers of the azalea would be pleased . Care of the plant consists, first of all, in observing the optimal temperature regime.

Azalea badly tolerates the heat, the most comfortable for the plant is considered to be a temperature not exceeding 18 ° C, even better - from 10 to 15 degrees. The best place for azalea is the insulated loggia. As long as there holds a plus temperature of up to 5 degrees, the plant can safely be kept in such conditions. Just at this time, and laid flower buds, tentatively, from October to December. Azalea flowers, care of which with the onset of severe frosts consists in moving the plant to a room and placing it on a window facing north or west, do not tolerate hot dry air in the room. The temperature should not exceed 13-16 ° C, which stimulates further abundant flowering. In the case when the azalea blooms, and you can reduce the temperature a little - the bloom will be long. Experienced growers resort to various tricks: sprinkle with cold water, organize watering with cold melt water, even put ice on the edges of the pot. If during bloom in the room hot and dry air - flowering either very shortly, or may not come at all - the buds simply fall off.

Azalea flowers, care, which includes choosing the most suitable place that will provide enough bright lighting, do not like direct sunlight.

When watering, distilled, thawed or rainwater is used, in the extreme case, a permanent tap or boiled water. To maintain the necessary acidity of the soil, it is recommended, approximately twice a month, to water the azaleas with acidified water (1 teaspoon of citric acid dissolved in two liters of water).

How do they propagate azalea?

The most acceptable method for the reproduction of azalea, giving more or less positive results (which, it is true, it is necessary to wait a long time) is the use of semi-mature cuttings for rooting. In addition to this method, professional florists breed azaleas with seeds, but this is a very complex and rather laborious process. Another divide the bush and use the method of vaccination. Consider the most common method of reproduction - cuttings.

• In the period from May to August cut not fully stiffened, but also not quite green cuttings from 5 to 8 cm long;
• Prepare the substrate for rooting. Ideally suited to sphagnum moss or coniferous earth, which have an acid reaction;
• Cuttings do not strongly penetrate into the ground (2-5 cm) and top cover with a polyethylene film or glass, while do not forget to regularly water and spray;
• At a temperature within 25 ° C, cuttings take root in 3-5 weeks. However, there are cases when the roots have to wait about six months.

To achieve a better effect, to blossom azalea magnificently - pruning and pinching are the most effective ways, thanks to which a lot of flower buds are fastened, and the plant begins to harden bush. Perform such procedures as soon as the azalea is finished blooming. All single flowers are removed and, from May to mid-summer, regularly pinch and pruned young shoots. Since buds are formed at the tips of young shoots - the more they are formed, the more abundant will bloom. And the more beautiful your beautiful azalea will be - the flower of female happiness.