Will’s azalea entry 2020-25

[Eckhoffw]

Figured I better create the thread for my entry and it’s development.

White lights azalea. Purchased from menards.

I took it out of colander and into chopped nursery pot to protect the fine roots. Courtesy of Leo’s input. Thanks

 

[Pitoon]

Those have nice white pinkish flowers...…..but...…… I don't think that colander was a good choice to repot into as the soil will dry out to fast.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Yep. That what @Leo in N E Illinois told me.
so I threw it into the chopped nursery pot

 

[Eckhoffw]

Today’s photos. Some flowers.

 

[Pitoon]

Those are some really nice flowers.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Those are some really nice flowers.

Thanks. First azalea so I am enjoying their charm.

 

[Pitoon]

Any updates?

 

[Eckhoffw]

Any updates?

Thanks for the heads up. I haven’t looked to much at the azalea in awhile.
figured I would do a little pruning and tidy up.
im not going to go radical on this one this year. Will see if basic cut back is enough to push it along.
Then after a little trim. Checked the root base.
trunk at far right will definitely have to go at repot time.

 

[Harunobu]

That one is pretty compact for a deciduous azalea; I like it.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Hi @Eckhoffw
If you haven’t had a chance to yet, please to fill out the azalea media (substrate) poll.
My thanks and please disregard this note if you’ve already polled.
Cheers!
DSD sends

 

[Eckhoffw]

Little update.
Nice low budding occurring. I would rate the extent of pruning I’ve done on this since purchasing this spring =moderate.

getting fuller and buds forming.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Well done.

Looking forward to watching develop!

What’s your plan for overwintering this fall?

cheers
DSD srnds

 

[shinmai]

In St. Paul, said overwintering plan had best involve a greenhouse that keeps temps above freezing but below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Deciduous azaleas and rhododendrons are particularly susceptible to bark split if they freeze. The damnable thing about bark split is that your tree can push new growth in the spring and suddenly run out of gas right between Memorial Day and the solstice—it’s been mortally wounded since it froze, but takes five or six months to lie down and die.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Well done.

Looking forward to watching develop!

What’s your plan for overwintering this fall?

cheers
DSD srnds

Thanks.
This one will qualify for a winter in my heat regulated foam structure -in the detached garage. I shoot for a constant 35* F.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Nice, I’ll be willing to bet you’ve got some kind of fan for circulation.
best
DSD sends

 

[Eckhoffw]

Nice, I’ll be willing to bet you’ve got some kind of fan for circulation.
best
DSD sends

Yeah. Last year I used a cheap ceramic space heater. -A fan style unit with thermostat.
I plan on getting a better one this year as there where a couple times last year when it didn’t keep up and temps dropped to 28*F
In the box. It was like 10 below outside which is common enough here to risk it.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

That’s a good idea. I’ve had those cheap ceramic heaters die. frequently.

It rarely gets to 12F here during the winter, so
I use a poly tunnel for most tender trees.
However I use heat mats in the garage with LED lights for the young cuttings and plants that I’m trying to grow out during the winter.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[Eckhoffw]

That’s a good idea. I’ve had those cheap ceramic heaters die. frequently.

It rarely gets to 12F here during the winter, so
I use a poly tunnel for most tender trees.
However I use heat mats in the garage with LED lights for the young cuttings and plants that I’m trying to grow out during the winter.

cheers
DSD sends

That’s smart. I think I may add LEDs this year. I’ve heard conifers - evergreens like some winter light.
Thank you!

 

[Harunobu]

Since it is a deciduous azalea, it will lose all leaves. Maybe dormant pines or evergreen azaleas still have some photosynthesis going on, and they mind not being in darkness and might benefit from artificial light. But a bunch of branches with no leaves; I don't see the point of adding an LED. I see you are in zone 4. So winters could be terribly cold. Which is why you have a deciduous azalea, as no evergreen azalea will survive a harsh zone 4 winter. But deciduous azalea can. So preventing winter temps from dropping to really low levels and keeping out the wind are definitely good ideas. But an LED? I don't see the point.

But for cuttings, being inside and under lights is very beneficial, of course. Especially with cuttings of deciduous azaleas, if you can trick them that it is not winter, they will not lose leaves and keep growing so they can root better. I have been told that deciduous azeleas are way trickier to root. In part because they lose their leaves. I have my cuttings and seeds inside under lights. But keep your mature bonsai outside or in a greenhouse.

 

[Eckhoffw]

Since it is a deciduous azalea, it will lose all leaves. Maybe dormant pines or evergreen azaleas still have some photosynthesis going on, and they mind not being in darkness and might benefit from artificial light. But a bunch of branches with no leaves; I don't see the point of adding an LED. I see you are in zone 4. So winters could be terribly cold. Which is why you have a deciduous azalea, as no evergreen azalea will survive a harsh zone 4 winter. But decidious azalea can. So preventing winter temps from dropping to really low levels and keeping out the wind are definitely good ideas. But an LED? I don't see the point.

Would be for needy evergreens/spruce and juniper. that will be in there as well.