Secrets of room azalea care or what to do with a flower after purchase
Lush bushes of azaleas, abundantly strewn with large inflorescences, are the main decoration of our windowsills. How to preserve such beauty so that the bush will continue to delight with its unique flowering and grow actively? Indeed, very often after the purchase, the plants brought home die either after their transplantation, or over time.
Do I need to transplant a flower?
Of course, all newly acquired plants must be transplanted into new, nutritious soil, because most often in stores they grow in peat and are diligently fed. But this should not be done right away, because the azalea grew in completely different conditions and it takes time to get used to room temperature and air. Moreover, the bush is usually sold already flowering.
It is better to postpone the transplant of a newly acquired plant until spring.
Where to place the flower?
If a azalea was acquired in winter, you should pay attention to creating comfortable conditions for it, because the plant is very delicate and demanding. The flowerpot must be placed on the lightest windowsill in the room.
In addition, in order to limit the flower from the effects of negative factors (dry air from the battery and cold air from window glass), you should:
- Build a protective screen from a film by hanging it on the inside of the curtain and tucking it over the battery. Dry hot air will now flow towards the room without affecting the bush.
- Place a piece of styrofoam under the pot to protect the roots from freezing.
How to care for an azalea?
One of the basic principles of care is regular watering. Azalea is very fond of water, including high humidity. To achieve this, you should well spray the bush on the leaf, covering the inflorescences with your hand.
In winter, you can also put the pot on a tray with water, after placing plastic bottle corks under it. During watering, water will flow through the drainage holes into the sump, and from there gradually evaporate, maintaining the necessary moisture around the plant.
What to do after flowering ends?
In the spring, when the azalea fades, it should be transferred to a cool room or to a glazed loggia with a temperature of at least 6 degrees Celsius. She will be there until the beginning of May, until the growth processes begin.
And now it’s time to transplant the flower, changing the ground and the pot (if necessary). It is imperative to lay drainage at the bottom of the flowerpot
When and how to feed?
During the period when the azalea is actively growing new shoots and leaves, it should be helped and fed with complex fertilizers. In flower shops there is a wide selection of such preparations especially for azaleas. You can make them no more than 2 times a month.
Feeding can only be done on a wet ball.