Комнатное растение азалия индика довольно whimsically, although surprisingly charming. Many beginning flower growers do not dare to grow it because of difficulties in care. In fact, knowing about the features of the plant, the demands it makes on soil, watering, temperature regime, it is possible to achieve that azalea will please its flowering during the entire winter period.
Rhododendron is the second name of the plant.The birthplace of this amazing flower is India, Japan, China. The first mention of azalea dates back to the IV century BC. Greek warriors in the conquest of Colchis after the battle on one of the apiaries tasted honey, resulting in a certain time lost consciousness. As it turned out, the bees collected nectar from the wild rhododendron, the descendant of which is modern azalea.
In Europe, this honey flower was first recognizedin the beginning of the XIX century. The plant quickly gained popularity, many clubs were formed, dealing with the cultivation of azalea. In Russia, the flower was delivered as a presentation to the royal family and at first was kept only in the court greenhouses. Gradually the cultivation of azaleas began to be practiced outside the palace.
Высота растения не превышает 50 см.Flowers of medium size - in diameter up to 3.5 cm. The petals have a white, red, pink color, sometimes they are spotted. Can be both with terry, and with even edges. Small dark green leaves are almost invisible because of the inflorescence. The superficial root system is rather gentle, with the transplant, the most careful attitude is required. Almost the whole winter the plant is pleased with surprisingly beautiful flowers decorating the windowsill.
No less luxurious looks and azalea stabovaya indicator, by which no one can pass indifferently.
Overseas guest prefers a large number ofsunlight. However, it should not be very bright, it is better scattered. Putting, the flower pot on the southern window, it is recommended to fence it with a thin translucent curtain.
But the heat of the azalea indicator is bad.Therefore, keep it away from heaters. In the absence of such an opportunity, it is necessary to install a protective shield in the form of a foil sheet, protecting from warm air coming from the radiator.
In winter, when the window sill becomes too cold, a foam sheet is placed under the pot.
For growing azalea, this parameter hasespecially of great importance. The plant prefers coolness. The most comfortable temperature for him is from 10 to 15 ° C. It is more difficult to observe such a regime in the summer. Many florists Azalea Indica at this time is exposed to fresh air in a shaded place. Others drop a pot into the ground. At the same time, a nylon stocking is pulled on it, designed to protect against the penetration of insect pests through drainage holes.
An important period is the laying of buds.To ensure that they are formed full and in large quantities, the plant needs an even lower temperature. In the autumn, before the onset of frost, you can leave the flower in an unheated room or on a loggia. In order to lower the temperature, the pots are covered with pieces of ice. Spray periodically the plant with cold water. Sometimes a pot with it is placed even in the refrigerator, which helps to quickly restore the weakened plant. Before the beginning of flowering, the temperature is raised to 12-15 ° C.
To successfully grow a plant likeIndica azalea, home care involves maintaining adequate soil moisture. This is one of the reasons why the flower is considered capricious and demanding. Equally unacceptable as excessive watering, and drying the substrate. Azalea responds to care errors by dropping foliage and flowers. The roots, filled with water in excess, begin to die off, and the plant dies. Earthen room should be humid in moderation. It should not be allowed to overflow when water is drained through the drainage, as well as drying of the upper layer of soil.
Water for irrigation should be used soft.To do this, you can add a little lemon juice or apple cider vinegar - about 10 drops per liter. The best option is snow melt or rain water, which lacks chlorine and other heavy impurities. Watering is done twice a day on hot days and less often on cool days. It is recommended to alternate the top with the bottom when using a pallet.
Another important condition is how to care forazalea indica - ensuring the humidity of the air. It should be maintained at a high enough level. To this end, it is necessary to regularly spray - several times a week. Water needs melt or distilled. When carrying out the procedure, it is recommended to cover the flowers with the palm to prevent droplets from falling on them. Otherwise, delicate petals can lose their beauty. Spray should be chosen so that the drops were as small as possible. Otherwise, the leaves may become stained.
In addition to spraying, there are many wayshumidifying the air for the plant. Pebbles and expanded clay are poured into the wide and deep pallet, moss pieces are laid. A pot is placed on the top layer and water is poured. It is necessary to ensure that it is always in the pan. In this case, the bottom of the pot should not touch the water, settling on wet moss and expanded clay.
Transplanting is a rather delicate matter.capricious beauties. It differs significantly from the procedure performed with other indoor plants. Azalea roots contain a unique microflora: if you break it, the flower will die. Earthen clod with the plant is immersed in water, leaving it for some time to soak. They change it 2-3 times until about a third of the earth remains. Water should be used soft and defended. As a result of the procedure, the place for a fresh substrate is freed and the necessary microflora is preserved. Soil is better to buy ready, specifically designed for this plant. It has the right amount of organic matter, has a suitable acidity and water permeability.
The pot is picked wide, great depth notrequired, because the azalea root system is superficial. Be sure to lay the bottom layer of drainage. Care must be taken to ensure that the root collar remains on the surface.
Until the plant reaches the age of three,transplantation is carried out annually, then once every 2-3 years. Signs indicating the need to change the "housing" for the flower, is the appearance of moss on the surface of the substrate or dense entanglement of the roots of the earthy coma.
The fertilizer application process is quite specific.for a plant like azalea indica mix. Care at home requires feeding in the process of each watering. Special complex fertilizers for azaleas are used. Begin to make them 3 weeks after the purchase of plants in the store.
Classic top dressing is recommended ingrowth period, the formation of the kidneys. The plant needs mineral fertilizers. Superphosphate is diluted at the rate of half a tablespoon per 10 liters of water and applied to the moistened soil.
In the summer, when the flower is going through a dormant phase, fertilization is stopped.
Azalea Indica multiplies in three ways:seeds, cuttings and layering. The first method is rather complicated and is the prerogative of specialists. With the help of other methods you can get new flowering plants in 2 years.
For propagation by cuttings must be cutlignified last year's shoots. Young for landing are not suitable. Using a pruner cut the stalk to a length of 10 cm at an acute angle. After removal of the lower leaflets, it is placed in a growth stimulator for a period of 8 hours. Planted cuttings in a small container with a pre-prepared substrate, which consists of peat, coconut fiber and perlite. After planting, young plants need to be watered. A year later, the seedlings are ready for transplanting into individual pots, and after as many will delight with their flowering views. Cuttings are cut only from healthy plants, not more than once a year.
The reproduction of azalea shoots is stillsimpler. It selects the strongest of all, bends close to the surface of the soil and presses the usual pin. Soil in this place you need to powder and wait rooting. After 2 months, the process will be ready for transplanting into a separate pot. To grow bushes lush, the top of the flower should be pinched.
Just knowing how to care for the azalea indica mix,and showing a little diligence, you can get a beautiful plant that can become a decoration of the home. If you break the technology associated with care, problems begin to arise.
Yellowing and drying leaves - the result of direct sunlight.
Falling foliage and flowers due to lack of moisture. Plant for recovery needs abundant watering.
With an excess of moisture leaves wither and turn yellow, shoots begin to dry. The flower in this case requires a transplant in another pot.
When growing plants azalea indica careit includes the fight against insect pests. Of these, the greatest danger is the spider mite. His appearance is also associated with errors in the care of the plant. Spraying with soapy water or a fungicide will help get rid of the pest. No less dangerous and strawberry mite, penetrating into the plant. Shoots, inflorescences as a result of its invasion become shapeless, buds become smaller. Only special fungicides can save the flower.
Azalea Indica, the photo of which is presented in this article, has extraordinary energy, helping residents to relieve nervous tension and recuperate.
