|
Life form
|
Shrub |
|---|---|
|
Family
|
Ericaceae |
|
Origin
|
China, the Himalayas |
|
Easy growing
|
Needs special care |
|
Size
|
Typically, from 12 to 40 cm, formed as a plant stem may be higher. |
|
Growth rate
|
Very low, the smallest selling plants have an age of at least 2 years. |
|
Lifetime
|
Many years with proper care. |
|
Temperature
|
In the summer: 53,6-60,8, in winter 42,8-46,4, up to 55,4 ° F. At a higher temperature the azaleas dry out quickly, the flowers fade. |
|
Moisture
|
High. Spray at least once a day from above with soft water, put the pot in a tray with wet pebbles |
|
Lighting
|
Bright place, but not direct sunlight. In nature they grow in the lower tier of the forest. Suitable for east and west windows. |
|
Soil
|
Suitable ground “Azalea” with acidity pH 4.5-5.5. For the soil of your own preparation, you can take equal parts of peat, leaf land and sand. You can add one piece of land from under the coniferous forest. It is mandatory to use drainage. |
|
Watering
|
During flowering, regular watering, the soil should not dry out. In summer, watering can be done by immersing the pot in a container of water. Use only soft water. |
|
Fertilizer
|
From spring to autumn, every two weeks, a liquid fertilizer without lime. Transplanted plants do not fertilize for 2 months. |
|
Reproduction
|
The apical cuttings in spring in a greenhouse (or covered with polyethylene) with a lower heating in a mixture of peat and perlite using heteroauxin. Place under diffused light or under fluorescent lamps. Plants from cuttings bloom in 2-3 years. |
|
Flowering
|
White, pink, red or yellow flowers 3,5-5 cm in size. Early varieties blossom in December-January, middle-late in January-March, late varieties in February-April. Faded flowers should be deleted. |
|
Transplant
|
Once in 2-3 years in spring or after a period of summer rest. |
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Features of care
|
In indoor conditions, growing is associated with considerable difficulties due to high temperatures in the room. Place the pot as close to the stalk as possible, in the coldest place in the room. Plants require trimming from spring to June. |
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Difficulties
|
Affects a spider mite. With a lack of moisture and dry air, the leaves dry and fall off. When waterlogged, the leaves also fall off, but do not dry out at the same time. The top leaves are small with a lack of nutrition. Yellowish shade of leaves with insufficiently acidic soil. |
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Cleaning the air
|
Removes formaldehyde, ammonia and xylene from the air. |
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Toxicity
|
Species of this genus can be harmful to animals. |
