How to grow Belgian azalea well? How to grow Belgian azalea well?

If you want to place a pot of Belgian azalea at home , you must know the cultivation methods and techniques of Belgian azalea , otherwise it is easy to cause the leaves and flowers of Belgian azalea to fall, and lose its ornamental value. Let us share with you how to grow Belgian azalea well .

Belgian Rhododendron Breeding Method

1. Cutting

The cutting time of Belgian azalea is from May to June. It is better to choose semi-mature tender branches. The cuttings are 12 to 15 cm long. Remove 2 to 3 leaves at the base, leave the top leaves and cut off half, and insert them into the cutting bed filled with leaf humus or river sand. The depth of the cuttings is half of the cuttings. After inserting, compact and maintain humidity. It will start to heal in about 40 to 50 days and gradually take root in 60 to 70 days. If the base of the cuttings is dipped in 0.2% indolebutyric acid solution for 1 to 2 seconds, the rooting rate can be improved.

2. Layering

It is carried out in April and May, using the high-altitude layering method. Choose 2-3 year old mature branches, use a sharp knife to peel the bark in a ring shape 15-20 cm from the top, with a ring width of 1.5 cm, wrap it with plastic film, fill it with moss or leaf mold, and keep it moist. It will heal and take root in about 4-5 months. If the roots are cut off, it can be directly potted.

3. Grafting

The best time is the rainy season. The rootstock is usually a two-year-old Rhododendron pubescens with strong growth potential, and the scion is a strong Belgian Rhododendron tender branch that sprouted in the same year. Branch grafting is mainly used. The incision is 3 cm long. Take the scion 8 to 10 cm long, leave the top 2 leaves, cut half of them, cut into a wedge shape, 3 cm long, insert it into the rootstock, tie it up to keep it moist, and it will heal after 50 days. The survival rate is high.

4. Seed propagation

The sowing time of Belgian azalea is in April. The seeds are small and the sowing soil needs to be disinfected. The suitable temperature for germination is 22-24℃. It is sown in indoor pots. No soil is needed after sowing, just lightly press it. It will germinate in about 10-15 days. The seedlings grow slowly. When the seedlings have 2 true leaves, they are transplanted to 4 cm pots. It takes 4-5 years for the sown seedlings to bloom.

How to Breed Belgian Rhododendron

1. Reasonable fertilization

At about 20 days of the Belgian azalea seedling stage, 0.1% to 0.2% multi-element foliar fertilizer liquid should be applied. One month before flowering, the amount of fertilizer should be appropriately increased, mainly 0.2% quick-acting phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, applied every 10 days to prevent excessive growth and promote large and brightly colored flowers. Stop fertilizing during the flowering period to avoid promoting new shoots and hindering flowering. Note that the fertilization should not be too concentrated or excessive to avoid fertilizer damage.

2. Summer management

Belgian azalea likes a cool and humid climate. In summer and autumn, it should be placed in a cool and ventilated place, and water should be sprayed on the branches and leaves and the surrounding area. You can also put water in a shallow tray and place the flower pot on the tray to let the flowers slowly absorb water from the bottom of the shallow tray. Therefore, the cultivation site should be selected in a south-facing, ventilated, semi-shaded or sun-scattered place, and can also be covered with a 60% shade net. Especially in summer, ventilation, humidity, sun protection and heatstroke prevention are required.

3. Soil disinfection

In addition to requiring loose, acidic soil, the growth of Belgian azalea also requires strict soil environmental conditions. When preparing the ground for seedling beds, use 1.5 kg of furadan and 1000 times diluted potassium permanganate solution per mu to disinfect the soil, which can prevent and control cutworms, crickets, crickets and diseases; the soil for potted plants can be fumigated with steam or disinfected with potassium permanganate before planting to ensure that the soil is clean, hygienic and free of pests and diseases .

4. Fertilizer and water management

Belgian azalea grows fast, has many branches and leaves, and a long growing period. It needs sufficient fertilizer and water. Due to its small fibrous roots, foliar fertilizer is mainly used, supplemented by peanut bran as base fertilizer. At present, there are mainly foliar fertilizers and high-yield fertilizers on the market, which can be used alternately. Apply thin fertilizers frequently, generally fertilize once a week, spray fungicides twice a month, and combine foliar fertilizers with sterilization. At the same time, depending on the greenness of the leaves, spray 5% ferrous sulfate to supplement acid. Water conditions are also very important for its growth. Except for rainy days, generally planted seedlings are watered once every two days, potted seedlings are watered once a day, and when placed indoors, do not water unless the soil is dry, and water thoroughly when you do.

5. Pruning and flowering period control

The crown pruning and shaping of Belgian azalea is combined with cutting and flowering control. Pruning and shaping is to trim the crown into a mushroom shape by pruning, removing buds, erasing flower buds, and supporting the shape, and cut the branches suitable for cuttings into cutting strips, and timely cut them. Belgian azalea takes 180 days from transplanting from surviving seedlings to flowering at normal temperature. It also takes 180 days to bloom again after the flowers fade or the flower buds are artificially wiped off. This operation is repeated. The flower buds are removed or kept according to the different time of listing to control the flowering period. Bulk transportation should be packaged and transported for listing 20 to 30 days before flowering. If it is decided to be listed on National Day, the flower buds and flowers should be removed at the end of March, and the whole tree will bloom at the end of September.

Precautions for breeding Belgian azalea

1. Pests

Red spider mites are the most common, which are caused by dry heat. They suck the sap from the leaves, causing the whole plant to slowly wilt. Check the back of the leaves regularly; if you find some reddish-brown spots that look like "zizi", they are red spider mites, and there are spider silk.

We should isolate the Belgian azalea first, and use strong water to wash the back of the leaves with insects through the hose. After it dries a little, you can use more than ten pieces of fresh oleander leaves to chop them up, add five cigarette butts (only take tobacco) (about the weight of a cigarette) and a chopped raw red pepper, soak them in 500ml of water for 24 hours, spray the stems and leaves every three days, and put them in a ventilated place to dry, and spray three times in a row. Keep them moist and ventilated on a daily basis.

2. Yellowing leaves

This is a physiological disease caused by lack of iron, trace elements and too alkaline soil. All azaleas prefer slightly acidic soil, which should be loose and well-drained, and not compacted.

In severe cases, the soil should be replaced by mixing three equal parts of packaged "pot soil", peat soil and black mud (humus soil). In mild cases, a few rusty iron nails can be buried in the mud.

3. Early withering of flower buds

The leaf tips and edges of the Belgian azalea will also wrinkle and turn yellow-brown. This is caused by applying concentrated fertilizer when there are flower buds, or heating without ventilation, or too dry and cemented soil. When buds appear, stop applying fertilizer and place in a cool and well-ventilated place with sufficient scattered light and avoid strong sunlight. The pot soil should be properly moisturized and not dry. Change the soil once a year after the flowers fall. The damaged buds and leaves should be removed.

4. Brown spots on the edges of leaves

This is the main disease of Belgian azalea , called brown spot, which is caused by humidity, lack of light and heat. The diseased leaves should be removed and sprayed with 600 times diluted "Dasheng" once a week for three times in a row.