Planting and caring for a garden azalea in the open field, rules of cultivation
Planting and caring for a garden azalea outdoors is of interest to many flower growers. This beautiful ornamental plant is often planted in plots and used in landscaping. Successfully growing a flower requires comprehensive care. This should include timely watering, feeding and pruning. It is definitely worth protecting the culture from diseases and pests.
Description and characteristics of the plant
The garden azalea is a perennial shrub of the heather family. It grows naturally in Japan, North America and China. This bush culture is distinguished by a variety of species.
A street azalea can reach a height of 30 centimeters to 3 meters. It has small elliptical leaves. The flowers are monochromatic, double, flat.
Varieties
Today there are many types of azaleas, each of which has certain characteristics.
Deciduous
Such plants lose their leaves in autumn, like the rest of the shrubs of the angiosperm department.
Japanese
There are many varieties in this category. These include Rocco, Bubushka, Allotria.
Multi-flowers
This type of azalea should include Alfred, Eskimo, Belcanto varieties.
evergreen forest
This group includes cultures such as Scarlet Wonder and Bad Elsen.
Yakushimanskaya
This is a dwarf category of varieties which include Prince Anne, Blue Tit, Elite.
varietal variety
Breeders have developed a large number of varieties of azaleas. They differ in size, color of flowers, shape of leaves.
Chanel
This hybrid is considered large-flowered. It is characterized by dark green leaves covered with down.
freya
This bush is characterized by a compact size. The flowers are golden pink in color and bloom in June.
Klondike
The buds of this plant are covered with orange spots. The plant gives off a pleasant sweet aroma.
Tunisia
This variety is characterized by large flowers that look like bells. They are distinguished by an orange-red hue.
Sonya
It is a beautiful plant with large flowers which appear in June.
Starus
It is a deciduous culture characterized by large flowers. The bushes are very impressive in size.
golden lights
This hybrid is characterized by abundant flowering. The flowers have a yellow-orange tint and form inflorescences of 10 pieces.
Gibraltar
It is a very beautiful plant that has rich bright orange flowers and elliptical leaves.
golden sunset
This variety is characterized by spherical inflorescences that include large bright yellow flowers.
Georges Arendes
It is a very beautiful plant that belongs to the variety of Japanese azaleas. It is very popular with flower growers.
Kermezin
This variety is characterized by single bell-shaped flowers. They are ruby pink in color.
Rosinet
This decorative culture is densely covered with pink flowers. The plant is compact in size.
Silvestre
It is an evergreen shrub with a dense crown and silver-pink flowers. The plant does not exceed 0.5-1 meter in height.
Rubinstern
This plant is distinguished by its lush flowering. It is characterized by glossy dark green leaves and ruby red flowers.
Maruska
This plant grows quite slowly and does not exceed 50 centimeters in height. Culture begins to bloom in May.
Blue Danube
It is a dwarf variety that spreads on the ground. The bush is covered with bright purple flowers.
Esprinsessin
It is an evergreen plant that has beautiful leaves and double white flowers.
Adonis
This culture is considered evergreen, but it loses some of its leaves. The flowers are medium sized and white in color.
Orange Geisha
This plant is characterized by beautiful orange flowers of 3 to 4 centimeters. They appear in May and June.
How to plant correctly
For a culture to flourish, it needs quality care.The proper execution of planting work is not negligible.
Time recommendations
Azalea is recommended to be planted in the ground in early spring - late March or mid-April. It is also allowed to carry out planting work in September.
How to choose and prepare planting material
It is worth buying bushes in the spring - this will help to assess the quality of planting material. It is recommended to purchase the azalea in a bulk container.
The substrate must be moist. It is important that the seedling is strong.
Site and Soil Requirements
It is recommended to plant azaleas in a shady place, since the culture does not tolerate direct sunlight. At the same time, under heavy shading, the plant will not bloom. When choosing a soil, high acidity should be preferred.
The azalea should not be planted in loamy or calcareous soil.
Landing scheme
To carry out planting work, the following actions should be performed:
- dig a hole 50 centimeters deep and 70-80 centimeters wide;
- lay a drainage of expanded clay and sand on the bottom;
- mix the soil from the pit with sand, peat and humus;
- remove the plant from the container with a clod of earth;
- pour the prepared soil in the center and install the azalea;
- sprinkle the plant with soil so that the collar remains on the surface;
- compact soil and water;
- cover with a layer of mulch.
Rules of care
In order for the azalea to develop normally and delight in lush flowering, it must be fully cared for.
watering mode
It is recommended to moisten the soil as it dries. For this, it is worth using rain or settled water.To maintain normal acidity, citric acid is added to the water once a month.
top dresser
Cultivation requires the periodic application of nutrient formulations. It is fertilized at least 3 times a year. In the spring, it is worth adding humus, before the formation of buds, phosphorus and potassium agents are used.
Do not use ashes and formulations containing lime and chlorine.
Size
Bushes older than 3 years need to be pruned.In this case, it is worth getting rid of dry and damaged branches. It is best to carry out the procedure in the spring. The branches are shortened by a third to obtain a beautiful crown.
Prepare for winter
Shrubby azalea normally tolerates winter in central Russia. However, flower buds sometimes freeze. To avoid such problems, the bush should be covered before the onset of cold weather.
First, the plant should be watered abundantly, and the soil should be covered with a layer of mulch. Then the shoots should be gently bent to the ground and fixed with wire. Cover the top with cardboard and spruce branches.
Mulching
This procedure helps to retain moisture in the soil and prevent the active development of weeds. Leaves, sawdust, needles are used as mulch.
Transfer
It is recommended to replant the plant in early spring. Around the bush it is worth making a side of earth or moss. This will help trap snow and protect the root system from freezing.
weeding
It is recommended that the area be weeded throughout the growing season. This procedure must be carried out very carefully to avoid damaging the roots.
Spray
In hot weather, it is recommended to spray the azalea. This will help preserve the decorative properties of the shrub.
Breeding methods
Azalea can be propagated in different ways - by cuttings, by seed or by layering.
Cuttings
This procedure is carried out in March or April. To do this, you need to prepare cuttings of 7-10 centimeters. They are placed in a growth stimulator. Then the planting material is immersed in peat and watered.
Layers
To do this, in the spring, the shoot is buried in the ground and fixed with wire. To promote its development, you can use growth stimulants. In the fall, the shoot can be transplanted to a new location.
Seeds
In this case, the seeds should be planted in a composition of peat and sand. This is done in the spring. When sprouts appear, they can be dipped in separate glasses and covered with foil.
Possible growth problems
When growing azaleas, there is a risk of various problems. To deal with it, you need to establish the cause.
Powdery mildew
The cause of the disease is considered to be a violation of air circulation and sharp temperature fluctuations. In this case, the damaged fragments are covered with plaque.
Fungicides will help cope with the problem.
mildew
This disease affects the stem and leaves of the crop, which leads to its rotting. The problem occurs with high humidity and temperature. Fitoverm will help to cope with the disease.
gray rot
It is a fungal infection that infects leaves, stems and buds. At the same time, they become covered with brown spots. A soap solution will help cope with the disease.
Rust
With this disease, spots appear on the plant. Over time, the leaves fall. Bordeaux liquid will help to cope with the disease.
Chlorosis
With this disease, the leaves change color - they become lighter. Iron chelate will help to cope with the disease.
Lack of flowering
The reasons for the lack of flowers are considered to be a lack of diffused light, insufficient watering, poor soil composition and lack of fertilizers.
Lack of buds
Absence or dropping of azalea buds is due to temperature fluctuations or changes in weather conditions. In addition, transplanting plants or a lack of fluid leads to problems.
Aphid
These small insects slow down crop development and spread viruses. Actellik and Karbofos will help deal with this.
black thrips
These pests affect the foliage of the azalea. As a result, it acquires a yellow tint and falls off. Karbofos will help cope with pests.
Spider
These pests lead to the appearance of cobwebs on the bushes. Actellik will help you deal with it.
cochineal
These pests infect all fragments of the crop and create conditions for the development of a soot fungus. Actellik will help get rid of the pests.
Whitefly
This butterfly absorbs plant sap. As a result, they wither and die. Aktara or a soap solution will help cope with pests.
Use in landscaping
Quite often the azalea is planted in the garden for decorative purposes. It is recommended to combine it with perennials. Such bushes will help to emphasize this beautiful culture. Hostas and ferns can be great additions to azaleas.
If you want to combine the plant with flowering bushes, it is better to give preference to white options. They will be in perfect harmony with large and bright azalea flowers. An equally successful option would be a combination of a plant with green conifers.
Common Mistakes
Novice growers make the following mistakes when growing a crop:
- cut the flower during the flowering period;
- do not carry out pruning after its completion;
- spray flowers from a spray bottle;
- rarely transplant culture;
- fertilizer is applied incorrectly.
Additional tips and tricks
In order for the culture to develop normally and rejoice with abundant and lush flowering, it must be properly cared for:
- choose the right place for planting - the azalea prefers diffused lighting;
- ensure the optimal composition of the soil - it must have sufficient acidity;
- timely watering the crop;
- apply fertilizers taking into account the seasonal factor;
- prune the plant in a timely manner;
- carry out preventive and therapeutic treatments against diseases and pests;
- follow the rules when transplanting a culture.
The garden azalea is considered a popular plant grown by many growers. To be successful in this regard, culture must be cared for holistically. It should include timely watering, fertilizing and pruning. The protection of the culture against diseases and parasites is not negligible.