How to properly water an azalea?

Azalea is one of the most beautiful indoor flowers. And one of the most whimsical to the conditions of its content. And if everything is more or less clear with lighting and temperature conditions, then big problems often arise with how to water this plant correctly. Namely, this factor of care is one of the key ones. In the article, we will consider the rules for watering, its importance and the subtleties of this process.

It is on the level of soil saturation with moisture that not only the intensity of the azalea depends, but also its growth, development and the duration of the flowering itself.

Too abundant watering leads to decay of the root system, weighting the soil and stunted growth. But the lack of moisture leads to the drying up of the plant, the fall of its leaves and the impossibility of tying buds.

This feature is explained by the fact that originally, the azaleas were native to India and China, and there the flower grew in partial shade and in conditions of high humidity.

Azalea is extremely whimsical not only to the frequency of watering, but also to the composition of the liquid itself. So, it is categorically impossible to use too hard or ordinary tap water.

The best irrigation option is considered to be the use of rain, melt or just settled water. In the latter case, the liquid is settled for at least two days in containers with a wide neck.

An excellent option is water infused with peat. One and a half handfuls of it are placed in a stocking and lowered into a container of liquid in a volume of 5 liters and left overnight. In the morning, the peat is removed, and the softened solution is used for its intended purpose.

Azalea, like other varieties of rhododendrons, is quite supportive of acidic soils. That's why once a month it should be watered with citric acid water. Use half a teaspoon of powder crystals per liter of liquid.

The frequency of using such a solution is 1 time in 30 days. Lemon, if necessary, can be exchanged for oxalic acid. In this case, 4 g of powder is dissolved in 10 l.

The ideal water temperature is considered to be which exceeds the temperature of the plant's soil itself by a maximum of 3 degrees. If it is too hot outside, then do not use ice water for irrigation. It is best to line the pot with ice or snow bags. Because of the icy water, the growth and development of the azalea will slow down, and the flower itself will begin to hurt a lot.

We figured out the quality and type of water, now it's time to talk about the intensity of its use, depending on a number of factors.

Many home growers consider this time to be the main one, and intensively begin to irrigate their favorite flower. And this is a gross mistake.

During the laying of the flower buds themselves watering the plants is carried out no more often than every other day, and even better once every 2 days. And at the same time, the temperature of its environment should be reduced to +8.12 degrees.

From the beginning of flowering, the azalea is watered regularly, but in moderation, only to saturate the substrate with moisture. The temperature at this time is raised to +16 degrees.Only the right ratio of watering and temperature conditions will ensure long and intense flowering of azaleas.

The rest of the growing season of the flower, watering it is rare and moderate. About 1-2 times a week.

In winter, watering azaleas is extremely rare, no more than 1 time per week. But this is subject to compliance and temperature conditions up to +8 degrees.

In spring and autumn, watering is carried out, relying on the period of budding and flowering. In summer, due to high temperatures and low humidity, watering becomes more abundant and regular - 2-5 times a week. In exceptional cases, the flower is watered daily.

This factor must be taken into account, because it is almost impossible to artificially control the level of humidity and air temperature in a garden or on a personal plot. Therefore, the azalea growing in such conditions must be watered, based on the weather, the intensity of the rain and the place of its landing. The main criteria are the same - soil drying rate, plant development cycle and temperature.

Watering, its frequency and intensity of watering this flower in indoor growing conditions must be carried out, relying on all the rules above in the previous paragraphs.

The procedure should be performed at any time of the year, except for winter. That is, at that moment, while the plant does not bloom, and until its buds are formed. A young azalea is transplanted every year, an adult flower - once every 36 months.

The watering sequence for transplanting will be as follows:

• the plant is carefully removed from the pot and placed in a container with clean soft water;
• we add preparations designed to accelerate the growth of the root system and agents with an antifungal effect (we dilute them according to the instructions);
• we keep the flower in the resulting solution for at least 30 minutes and no more than 1 hour;
• then we plant the plant in a large new container with a light acidic soil and water it with the same solution in which the roots were soaked.

Within a month after transplanting, the flower is watered with a solution of water with growth stimulants. It is enough to dilute 1 g of succinic acid in a liter of liquid. Irrigation frequency is 1 time in 2 or even 3 days.

Experienced florists also recommend maintaining the room temperature at about 22 degrees above zero for the first time, and covering the roots of the flower with a cloth. After about a couple of weeks after the transplant, the tissue is removed, and the free space in the pot is laid with ice cubes. So moisture will flow in the right amount, and the cold, which is so necessary for the plant, will be present.

Irrigation of an azalea growing both in a room in a flower pot and in a garden or flower bed, can be done in one of several ways.

• Pouring water into the sump. In this case, the azalea must grow in a pot that has a hole in the bottom. Water of the required temperature is poured into the pan so that the pot is one centimeter in the water. With such irrigation, the soil itself draws in as much liquid as it needs. The frequency of using this method is 1 time in 3 days, not more often.
• Top irrigation. The easiest old way to water. Here, water is poured into the pot from above using a watering can with a thin spout. In this case, the flow of moisture is directed as close as possible to the roots of the central stem. The frequency of such watering is as the soil dries up 2 cm deep.
• Full immersion in water. The method is quite radical, and it is advised to resort to it only in extreme cases. To do this, take a large container and fill it with water almost to the top. It is better to add the drug "Zircon" to it in accordance with the instructions. The pot of azalea is completely immersed in the solution and left for 30 minutes.This watering option is resorted to either when the soil is completely dry and the plant itself dries up, or before transplanting it.

Do not forget that irrigation of an azalea consists not only in simple watering of its root system, but also in the simultaneous application of special fertilizers, for example:

• "Uniflor Bud";
• "Azalea";
• "Superphosphate".

It is necessary to dilute these funds strictly according to the instructions. They are used every 15 days from the moment the buds begin to be laid and until massive flowers appear.

Azalea, like many other indoor plants, is very fond of spraying with cool water. It should be done once a week.

For information on how to properly water the azalea, see the next video.