Azalea, alpine rose — Azalea, or Rhododendron — Rhododendron. Family — heather. Homeland — East Asia, Carpathians, Caucasus.
There are more than 1000 species. In indoor and ornamental gardening, the most common are Rhododendron obtusum – Rhododendron obtuse, or Japanese azalea, or Rhododendron simsii – Rhododendron Sims, or Sims’s azalea, or Indian azalea, as well as their numerous hybrids.
© Leonid Dzhepko
Azalea is a small shrub that blooms indoors in the middle of winter. Azalea has beautiful, large, often double flowers of a wide variety of colors: from white to bright red. The leaves are small (5-7 cm long), leathery, green.
Placement. Prefers light rooms with bright diffused light. In summer and autumn, before frost, it is advisable to leave the azalea in the fresh air. In winter, the azalea is placed in a light, cool room with a constant temperature of 12 – 15 ° C. The plant with emerging flower buds is brought into a warmer room, with a temperature of 18 ° C. After flowering is complete, for new bud formation next year, the plant is again placed in a room with a temperature of 8 – 12 ° C.
Care. During the flowering period, in summer and early autumn, abundant watering is necessary, in winter – moderate. Fertilizer is carried out weekly with fertilizers that do not contain lime. Azalea loves moisture, so it should be sprayed often or placed on a tray filled with gravel filled with water. The plant should be replanted in the spring every 2 – 3 years.
© Leonid Dzhepko
Pests and diseasesThe main pest is the azalea aphid, on whose secretions sooty fungus settles. If the soil lump is overdried, red mite may appear.
Reproduction Possibly by apical cuttings, they are rooted in perlite or coarse sand, with the substrate heated. It is difficult to root.
Note:
- Faded flowers and brown leaves are removed. This protects the plant from infections. In place of the old flower, a new shoot will eventually form, which will bloom next year.
