Azalea tree: what is this plant, description and photo of this type of rhododendron, especially the care and reproduction

The flaming flowers of tree azalea compensate for the inconspicuous appearance of its leaves.

But a flowering bush will become an adornment of any garden filled with other plants.

The small bushes of Indian azaleas often bring as a gift for the winter holidays.

However, not everyone succeeds in ensuring proper conditions for growth, new flowering and successful propagation of these attractive plants.

What is this tree plant?

Arboreal azaleas are lush shrubs, differing from each other in some ways: the shape of inflorescences, the size of the bush and the ability to adapt to environmental conditions.

Description

These low shrubs grow separately or together with relatives. The branches of the azalea tree are inherent in some hairiness. The leaves are mostly oval. The color of inflorescences is from white to bright pink. Flowers are often fluffy, have an uneven shape (from 3 to 5 cm in diameter).

History of occurrence

The plant was brought to Europe in the eighteenth century. Many times, scientists delivered azalea from other countries, but it could not take root in any way. In the nineteenth century, a sea captain named Welbank brought azalea from India. The plant, with proper care, bloomed in a riotous color. Indian azalea is the progenitor of all varieties.

Difference from other species

Tree azalea perfectly survives winter and withstands severe frosts. This type of rhododendron loves the soil a little moist and acidified. If the soil is heavily flooded with water, flowers from the azalea will not have to wait.

Photo

Next, you can see the photo of the azalea tree:

Flowering and what you need to know about leaving in its different periods

It starts more often in the middle of summer. Azalea compensates for its unsightly appearance, blooming with lush white or pink bright flowers. During flowering, the bush smells fragrant, exuding a pleasant aroma.

Before flowering

It consists in fertilizing the plant and supplying it with nutrients such as: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

After

By the end of the flowering period, it will be the best option to help slow down the growth of the bush and prepare it for the cold. Therefore, watering is less frequent, and a little more fertilizer is needed.

Reference! The best option for feeding will be a solution of magnesium and potassium.

Extremely always cut wilted flowersgiving the plant a rest before laying new buds!

Lack of buds

Azalea does not bloom for several reasons:

Too much open sunlight.
Very wet or vice versa dry soil.
A large number of fertilizers.
Dry inflorescences were not removed.

Care

Seat selection

Shrub should be protected from the wind, direct rays of the sun., as well as azalea is not recommended to be planted near ponds.

Wind is a bad friend to rhododendrons, so plants of this species should be protected as much as possible from it!

Soil selection rules: the soil should not be dense and clay to ensure air movement and alkaline. The best choice is slightly acidified soil.

The soil should be flavored with sand and needles. To control weeds, the earth needs to be mulched once in a while.

IMPORTANT: Do not allow the soil to dry out, otherwise the azalea can repay the wilting of already blossoming flowers, as well as buds!

Landing

Tree azalea should be planted in a pit not too deep (about 50 cm). But the width of the hole should exceed the size of the root system with the earth and a half times. The plant should be spacious, including neighboring shrubs should not interfere with it.
The guest from India is abundantly watered at the landing site, and the azalea itself is only slightly moistened with spray water.
The shrub is carefully moved to the prepared hole, completing the planting process by lightly tamping the earth.
For longer preservation of the soil moisture level, you can add needles on top and water the planting site.

Azaleas are a bit more demanding. When moving these plants into the open ground, much attention is paid to the root coma. It contains special bacteria needed by the plant. Damage to this area of azalea is unacceptable.

Temperature

Tree azalea feels great at a temperature of + 25 ° C, it survives winter, even if frost reaches -32 ° C.

Watering

Watering is recommended no more than once every two to three weeks, even with severe drought.
After the plant is strong, acidified water (a weak solution of food acid) is used to irrigate the earth.
Once every few days, you can irrigate the shrub with spray water.

Top dressing

Azalea does not favor a large number of fertilizers. It should be fed a weak solution of potassium and magnesium just before flowering and after it. The normal humus, which must be introduced in March-April, has an excellent effect on the soil condition.

Pruning

It should be remembered that wilted flowers must be constantly removed, unloaded the plant.

Dry, long branches also need to be pruned.so that the crown looks neat.

Once every 3-4 years, a full update of the bush is arranged. It is conditionally divided into two halves: in the first year, the right one is cut off by 30-35 cm, and in the next year, the procedure is repeated with the left side. After the plant has finished blooming, it is necessary to remove all single flowers and regularly prune and pinch the growing shoots.

Transfer

Tree azalea transplantation is recommended in early spring. You can transplant the plant after flowering, but no later than the beginning of September. You can’t do this later, since the budding of the kidneys for the next year already begins.

When transplanting, the root system cannot be damaged, so it must be carried out by transshipment of an old earthen coma. The root neck should remain “bare”, otherwise the roots may begin to rot and deteriorate. The depth of embedment during transplantation must be maintained at the level of the previous growth site.

Breeding

A great way is propagation using cuttings. Cut a young shoot without kidneys and place in a pot with peat. Do not forget to treat the section with a growth stimulator, this will help the sprout to take root faster. The pot should have several holes to prevent the formation of a large amount of moisture in the tank. After six weeks, the cuttings can be transplanted.

Diseases and Pests

Azaleas spoil the life of tree-like fungal infections and insects. Pests: scale insect, spider mite, mealybug. Spraying with fungicides and vitriol will help prevent diseases. Azalea is capricious as a woman. But under certain conditions and care, the shrub will respond with lush flowering and will delight the eye for a long time.