The flowering of an adult azalea is the joy and pride of any gardener who could independently grow and leave such a capricious, but very refined plant.
How does azalea reproduce?
The multiplication of azaleas at home usually occurs. in several ways: With the help of seeds, cutting, grafting and dividing the bushes (as a rule, an old plant with a large number of shoots is used). Let us dwell on the first two.
Growing azalea seeds at home
Breeding rhododendron seeds - a method that experienced growers use infrequently, since it is sufficient labour intensive and not very productive.
Plant seeds germinate only when created for them conditions, such as:
- permanent presence sunshinea (therefore, azalea is best grown from seed between May and August, unless it is cultivated under greenhouse conditions under artificial light);
- creating a "greenhouse effect";
- availability of specialized soil;
- constant humidity
The process of breeding azaleas using seeds can be considered step by step:
1 step. Sterilization of expanded clay or river pebbles. You can sterilize them either in the oven 15-20 minutes at a temperature slightly higher than 100 degrees, or soaking at the same time in boiling water.
2 step. Preparing the pot. Expanded clay or pebbles of small diameter are laid out on the bottom of the pot, in which the seeds will be planted in a layer 2-3 cm. After the pebbles are laid on the bottom, clean sand is poured on top, then - the ground.
Azalea seed primer is better to choose a specialized one.
3 step. Planting seeds. Seeds need to be scattered on the wet surface of the moistened soil and cover with cling film. Moisturize the soil should be daily, but not coarse watering, and by spraying with a spray bottle, removing the film and covering the seeds again. Remove the polyethylene can be after the seeds begin to germinate.
Even if the conditions in the room where the breeding of this beautiful flower is planned are close to ideal, this does not guarantee that the seeds will take root.
Even if they were purchased not from a store, but were taken from "tested" hands, from a beautiful healthy plant, it does not at all mean that the flower will grow exactly the same as the "donor" of its seeds.
Growing azalea cuttings at home
Propagation of azaleas with cuttings is the method when the end justifies the means most. Cuttings of plants should be already quite strong for transplanting, but not lignified. The best age for planting cuttings is when from 5 to 7 months.
The most optimal conditions for cutting azaleas:
- constant air temperature 24-27 degrees;
- air humidity 80-85%;
- acidic soil (suitable specialized soil, from under coniferous trees or peat).
The process of breeding azaleas cuttings goes through several stages:
1 step. Choice of cuttings. It is necessary to choose a mature enough azalea stem, separate it from the main plant with an oblique incision under the lower bud, remove the buds from the cutting and leave 3-4 leaves at the top.
The optimal length of the cutting 6-7 cm.
2 step. Preparing the cutting. Before planting, you can treat azalea stalk with a non-concentrated solution of potassium permanganate or a growth promoter. If the cuttings are planned to be planted not immediately after cutting, then they must be formed into bundles and lowered into the solution of heteroauxin on the lower cut. 7-8 hours.
3 step. Preparing a landing site. Whether it is a pot, a box or a small greenhouse, the principle of preparation is the same: sterilized pebbles are laid on the bottom and the ground is on top of it. Before planting the primer should good water.
4 step. "Sitting" cutting in the ground. In order to guarantee one or two cuttings have taken root, they can be planted 3-4 pieces in one pot, or a large number, if the cuttings germinate will be in the box. Planted cuttings should be in a plentifully watered soil at a distance. 4-5 cm apartto the depth 2-2.5 cm.
5 step. Creating conditions for growth. The cuttings are covered with foil or placed under a glass dome. Initially, the azalea should be covered with a dark cloth and dosed to the sun to dose it, avoiding a direct hit. The time spent under the rays gradually increases until the cutting take root. Then the plant can always be kept in a lit room. From time to time, the soil should be moistened with a sprayer and air daily cuttings.
Of course, if you are just a beginning gardener, azalea breeding will cause some difficulties, but you should not avoid such a beauty as azalea. Make a little effort, and you will see how your house will change with the flowering of the first azalea bushes!
A photo
Photos of the growth of the azalea flower are presented below:
