Garden azalea - planting and care in the open field

Garden azalea (rhododendron) is an excellent ornamental flowering plant, which is increasingly grown in the gardens of Central and Central Russia, including the Moscow region. Garden azalea, planting and caring for which in the open field requires a lot of effort, can become a real decoration of any garden. You can endlessly admire the flowering of rhododendron, this is an amazing sight that will not leave anyone indifferent. A big plus is that, if desired, the flower can be grown both in the southern regions and in Siberia.

Garden azalea: planting and care in the open field

Garden azalea is a rather picky plant that requires attention and certain planting conditions.

What is street azalea

Most often, azalea is a shrub, but it can take other forms as well.

The origin and appearance of the plant

In nature, azalea grows in the subtropical forests of Central Asia. But you can find it in Europe and North America. In these regions, it is primarily a houseplant. In Japan, beautiful bonsai compositions are created from the miniature azalea tree.

Rhododendron can have completely different crown shapes:

• deciduous;
• semi-deciduous;
• pyramidal;
• ampelous;
• evergreen.

In terms of life expectancy, plants can be both annual and perennial. Also, azalea bushes can differ in size: the smallest grow up to 0.5 m, the largest - up to 3 m.

Azalea perennial terry shrub

There may be different forms: shrub or tree-like. The timing of flowering also varies. But, nevertheless, there are general features that are inherent in absolutely all representatives of the genus Rhododendrons:

• due to the huge number of flowers during the flowering period, the azalea resembles a bright fireworks;
• behind the blossoming buds, dark, glossy leaves are simply not visible;
• flowering lasts about 2 months, can begin in April and end at the end of November, it all depends on the variety;
• the flower can be double or simple;
• the colors of the buds are varied: yellow, purple, gold, lilac, orange, white.

Types and varieties

In natural conditions, there are more than 600 species of rhododendrons, but in garden plots only 2 are most often grown - Indian azalea and Japanese azalea. This is an outdoor and indoor azalea species, and no particular differences were found between them.

Indian

Indian azalea has a non-standard size and shape, as well as bright blooms. However, this is not a frost-resistant variety, it will die at a temperature of -10 ° C. Therefore, in Central Russia, this species is more often grown as a house plant or dug up for the winter.

Japanese

Japanese azalea, planting and care in the open field for which are simpler than for the Indian variety, is quite popular with Russian flower growers. It is unpretentious, easily takes root in the open field and requires relatively little attention. Japanese azalea is also called blunt.

There are several varieties of it:

• Melina is a shrub about 0.5 m high, abundant flowering;
• Kermesina Alba is a medium-sized shrub with small white flowers;
• Petticoat - half-meter azalea with pale pink buds
• Ledikanense, unlike most varieties, loves shaded places, blooms with purple flowers. Flowering occurs in April. Shrub variety.

Japanese rhododendron

Transplant after purchase in the open ground of garden azalea

It is possible to buy azalea seedlings and transplant them into open ground only in the spring. This is the only time allowed for planting a bush azalea. When buying, you should pay attention to a number of factors:

• planting material requires a special container, the soil in which must be moist;
• the seedling should be well developed and not fading;
• the leafy part should consist of no more than 10 good healthy leaves.

Young seedlings of rhododendron

What is needed for landing

The main thing for planting is the right place and well-prepared soil. It would be better to buy a special soil mixture for azaleas in the store, but you can plant it in your own soil. The main ingredients are peat and sand. Others are also important: turf, humus, leaf and coniferous land. It will also require the introduction of mineral and organic fertilizers.

The main condition is to provide decent care after planting.

Choosing the best place

Azalea is one of the few beautifully flowering plants that prefers partial shade. This is the place that the rhododendron should be given. Also, the site must be protected from drafts and gusty winds. It is not recommended to plant near walls and fences, they will block the flower too much, it is better to choose a place next to deciduous trees, where it will grow and develop well.

Step-by-step planting process

Planting azaleas in open ground in spring is carried out according to the following instructions:

1. A planting pit is being prepared, the size of which will correspond to the size of the plant's root system. The roots should be evenly distributed in it, without bending or breaking. A good layer of drainage, preferably expanded clay, must be laid at the bottom of the hole.
2. The seedling is installed in the center of the pit, the roots are evenly distributed, the empty spaces are filled with prepared soil. It cannot be tamped, since the roots need air access. The more breathable the soil is, the better.
3. Leaves and soil are sprayed with a spray bottle. Root watering on the first day after planting is not recommended.

Watering an adult bush from a special sprayer

Reproduction

Since most garden azaleas are hybrid varieties, seed propagation is not recommended. With this method, the properties of the mother bush will not be transferred to the daughter plants. In addition, growing an azalea from seeds requires an incredible amount of effort, and the result will be minimal. The best way to propagate an azalea is by cuttings.

Propagation by cuttings

The process of reproduction of a flower by cuttings is carried out as follows:

1. Cuttings are cut. They should be at least 10 cm, it is better if the length is 12-13 cm. At the top of the future plant there should be at least 3 good adult leaves.The stalk is cut at an acute angle, the cut is treated with a solution of potassium permanganate, crushed charcoal or any other disinfectant.
2. The cut twig is placed in a pot of peat (you can buy special peat tablets in the store). The pot is covered with plastic wrap or a glass jar. Periodically, the shelter is raised to water and spray the plant.

Rooting is carried out within 2 months, after which young plants are planted in open ground in a permanent place in partial shade. At first, the seedlings need to be carefully monitored, they need to be helped to adapt to the new place. It is worth watering carefully, it is better by spraying, applying fertilizers, protecting from drafts and gusts of wind.

Azalea cuttings

Azalea garden care

It is worth approaching the care of azalea and growing it in the garden with special attention and take the process seriously in order to get an incredible flowering in return, which is simply impossible to admire. But not everyone succeeds in achieving results. Or not the first time. But the main thing is not to retreat. Perhaps you should first practice on indoor rhododendrons and only then switch to garden varieties.

Watering mode

Azalea is a moisture-loving plant, so it is important to establish a clear regimen according to which it will need to be watered. But it is also impossible to transfuse the flower, since root rot may occur, which will provoke wilting, cessation of growth, development and death of the plant. It is not recommended to deviate from the usual schedule for the plant. It is worth watering the flower like this:

• watering is carried out as the topsoil dries up;
• the procedure is performed at least once a day with warm, well-settled water;
• the leaves should be sprayed several times a day with a spray bottle.

Watering the azalea

Top dressing

The most important thing is to properly prepare the substrate initially, even before planting. There should be equal proportions of sod, peat, sand, humus, coniferous soil. It will take a month to feed the first time after that. For this, complex fertilizers are used for flowering garden plants. Then the process is repeated once every 3-4 weeks.

Top dressing should always be combined with watering.

You can feed the tree with chicken droppings, but you need to be very careful with this, since the roots of the plant are quite tender, and the chicken droppings are very concentrated.

Features of care during the flowering period

Azalea does not make any special requirements during the flowering period. It also needs to be looked after, periodically fed, to monitor the external state of buds, flowers and leaves. And, of course, do not forget to enjoy this wonderful moment. Timely removal of wilted buds should also not be overlooked, this will refresh the look of the bush.

Blooming of different varieties of garden azalea

Features of care during the rest period

At the end of the flowering period, the most important moment for the rhododendron occurs. He is simultaneously preparing for winter and laying new buds. At this time, it is imperative to remove all dried branches, wilted flowers, you can cut off excess branches. For this, a very sharp instrument should be used, which must be disinfected beforehand.

No other care is required during the rest period. After flowering, you can stop fertilizing the soil to prevent bud re-development.The flower should not waste energy before wintering, it must carefully prepare for it, accumulating a supply of nutrients. It is also worth cutting back and watering. Closer to autumn, it is enough to simply moisten the substrate from a spray bottle.

Preparing for winter

The preparation of rhododendron for winter directly depends on the region in which it grows. The warm winters of the southern regions of the country do not require the shelter of a flower, since it will tolerate such a climate calmly and without additional preparation. Moscow region, Central, Central Russia, Siberia, the Urals require mandatory warming of azaleas.

The bush will have to spud to the maximum height, cover it near the ground with peat, dry foliage, sawdust, spruce forests. The branches need to be bent as much as possible to the soil, wrap with a special insulation and overlay spruce branches on top.

It is best to install an additional frame and build a greenhouse in this way. It can also be covered with spruce branches and insulation from above. If it is assumed that in winter the temperature will drop below -30 ° C, the rhododendron must be dug up and transferred to a warmer room for the winter.

Not everyone will be able to grow an azalea, it is better for beginners not to mess with this rather picky plant. But those who try at least once, risk tackling this difficult task, will have something to remember in the period from one flowering to another. Indeed, it is difficult to find at least one more decorative flowering plant that would look so bright and spectacular. Several azalea bushes of different species planted next to each other will create the feeling of a real fairy tale in reality.