lush azalea

Azalea or rhododendron, of the heath family is rightfully one of the most ornamental shrubs that adorn the house of bright blooms in the darkest time of the year and surprised by the abundance of flowers, behind which sometimes can not see the leaves. Flowering species and varieties native to China , Japan , Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. Funnel-shaped flowers - white, pink , crimson , bright red - solid-color or two-color - in racemes or corymbose . The most valuable are varieties originating from the Indian species of rhododendron and rhododendron Sims , large flowers blooming in winter to the spring. In the Japanese azalea flowers are small, it blooms in April , sometimes at Christmas. In eastern countries cultivated azaleas as favorite flowering plants for a long time , their flowers - a symbol of joy , peace and freedom.
With good care azaleas are becoming every year more and more beautiful. After flowering should be cut all the faded flowers and stems thickened (caution: rhododendrons may contain toxic chemicals !) . Pruning shoots need some time in the early summer to form a lush bush . Also, pinch back shoots produced immediately before or during flowering.
Azaleas love the light to partial shade , but can not stand the sun. Allow it cool (in the autumn and winter of 5-10 degrees for ripening buds , buds swelling at 18 degrees) and plenty of fresh air , from early May can be kept outdoors in partial shade . Watering with soft water , avoiding over-drying or waterlogged ground. In the summer of abundant watering , fall to reduce the formation of buds watering . In the spring and summer spray . In summer, once a month put the pot for a short time in a bucket of water , wait for draining excess water and put in place the same way as he stood on the window ( Label the pot with tape ) , or change position relative to the light can cause leaf fall .
Young plants are transplanted each year , old every 2-3 years in the land of rhododendron ( or prepare a mixture of peat, sod of earth and sand in the ratio 5:1:1 ) , the plants do not tolerate lime. When transplanting azaleas not want to break the root ball ( as on the roots are beneficial soil fungi) , instead of the transplant is recommended reloading with fresh substrate. From late February until August 2 times a month fertilize flower fertilizer without lime , or add to the water rhododendron fertilizer low concentration.
A too high temperature and dry air azalea mite infestation that may lead to yellowing and defoliation . Spider mites or red spider - a very small sucking insects on the underside of the leaf forms a weave of thin white strands. Wash the leaves of the plant running water from the shower , covering the ground with plastic wrap , and have a drug treatment leaves until no pests. Processing chemicals because of their toxicity is undesirable in a residential area , so prepare and use drugs from plants: decoctions and infusions of tobacco, onions, garlic, pepper , yarrow , calendula , etc. Increase the frequency of spraying is not only the plant itself , but also the space around it. Humidity can be raised using an electric humidifier , and placed next to the plant wide, flat pan with water.
Azaleas are suitable for creating bonsai , but keep in mind that the barrel a bit brittle and with gentle flexing his arms to maintain . Autumn groomed azaleas give the desired shape ( or polukaskadnuyu metelochnuyu ) and transplanted into the pot for bonsai