Azaelea, what do i do now?

TeKmInIbI

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I'm not sure what type it is, i bought it at my local garden center about a month ago.
I repotted into Akamada, Peat moss, Pine Bark mulch, and river rock when i bought it (It had some flowers on it at that time)
It's now been sitting in shade for a month, should i move it into full sun? or partial sun? Some days here are quite hot, +30Celcius and i don't want it to burn in the sun...

Also, should i remove all of the flowers now?
What kind of feeding schedule should i be using, and what type of fertilizer?
 

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treebeard55

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Nice flowers on that thing.

I'm not an azalea specialist, but I do know a few things. First, they are understory palnts in the wild, so are not adapted to full sun. I'd say 3-4 hours sun in the morning, then open shade the rest of the day.

Understory shrubs are also accustomed to good humidity, and fairly even humidity levels.

And, I strongly suggest you identify the exact species if you can. That's because many florist's azaleas belong to species that will not be cold-hardy in AB, or even here in IN. More than likely, it will need a coldroom in the winter.
 

shohin kid

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Isn't this the same tree as in this thread, http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2121


Anyway, I only have satsuki azaleas, but I will answer your questions as if it was one of my satsuki. Depending on climate, it should be in full sun for at least 4 hours. My satsuki are in full sun from 7am-around 1pm. They do very well. Remove the flowers now. I use biogold for my satsuki. You could also use a fish and seaweed emulsion mix.
 

jonathan

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After you're done picking flowers I would also do some branch trimming to get a bit more air ventilation to the inner parts of the plant (helps prevent diseases), so cutting all downward growing branches and from the new shoots keep 2 shoots 2 leaves from the 3-5 that normally shoot.

greets jona
 

Bill S

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Sounds like an overly organic soil that will stay wet, you will need to be carefull with watering.
 

TeKmInIbI

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Isn't this the same tree as in this thread, http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2121


Anyway, I only have satsuki azaleas, but I will answer your questions as if it was one of my satsuki. Depending on climate, it should be in full sun for at least 4 hours. My satsuki are in full sun from 7am-around 1pm. They do very well. Remove the flowers now. I use biogold for my satsuki. You could also use a fish and seaweed emulsion mix.

Ah yes, i didn't even realize i had posted when i bought it.
I read everything in the fore post, and now everything here.
I really would like to seperate these two trees, and i *think* that they are just two potted together... although when i repotted i didn't play atall with the roots except to untangle them.
When removing flowers, do i remove the long stringy piece after pulling the head off?
I think it's going to be tough to get it out in the sun for only 4 hours, i guess i could place it somewhere on my deck..
If i remove all of the flowers, can i cut back some of the branches?
Again, many thanks for your informative posts!

Edit: Ah i see you say that pruning is safe after blooming, awesome!


After you're done picking flowers I would also do some branch trimming to get a bit more air ventilation to the inner parts of the plant (helps prevent diseases), so cutting all downward growing branches and from the new shoots keep 2 shoots 2 leaves from the 3-5 that normally shoot.

greets jona

So it would be ok for me to cut it back a bit now? being june?

Sounds like an overly organic soil that will stay wet, you will need to be carefull with watering.

I messed up when i said peat moss, it has none in it atall.
 
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shohin kid

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When removing flowers, do i remove the long stringy piece after pulling the head off?


I think it's going to be tough to get it out in the sun for only 4 hours, i guess i could place it somewhere on my deck..


If i remove all of the flowers, can i cut back some of the branches?

When removing the flowers, everything comes off, all the way down to the ovaries. Leave no trace.


4 Hours of sun minimum. One of the most important factors concerning the growth of azaleas is the amount and intensity of sunlight.


You can do a little pruning now, but don't overdo it. Wait until the fall to mainly style.
 

mcpesq817

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4 Hours of sun minimum. One of the most important factors concerning the growth of azaleas is the amount and intensity of sunlight.


Hi Shohin Kid,

Thanks very much for sharing your knowledge. It's nice that you're able to study with David Kreutz and help the rest of us. I saw David at the spring show at the National Arboretum this year, and thought his care of satsuki lecture was very informative.

I did want to ask you about the amount of sunlight you give your azaleas. My impression was that they are understory trees, so prefer some shade. From Dave, it sounded like the sun in your area is very strong (like it is here in the DC area). Can you elaborate a little more on why you give your azaleas so much sunlight? I ask because right now my satsukis get partial shade under a crape myrtle I have in my yard, and they seem to be doing fine.

Thanks very much in advance. I'm very jealous of your satsukis by the way :)
 

shohin kid

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It's nice that you're able to study with David Kreutz and help the rest of us. I saw David at the spring show at the National Arboretum this year, and thought his care of satsuki lecture was very informative.

Can you elaborate a little more on why you give your azaleas so much sunlight? I ask because right now my satsukis get partial shade under a crape myrtle I have in my yard, and they seem to be doing fine.

Dave lives about a 1/2 hour away from me and attends my club. I take every opportunity I can to learn from him. Every time I meet him I learn something new.

My satsukis get sunlight from around 8 to 1:30. Daves get light from sunrise to sunset but are under some sort of screen that filters the sunlight. I bought a book from him that he recommends that says 4 hours minimum of sunlight in summer. It helps to develop buds for next spring.
 
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mcpesq817

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Dave lives about a 1/2 hour away from me and attends my club. I take every opportunity I can to learn from him. Every time I meet him I learn something new.

My satsukis get sunlight from around 8 to 1:30. Daves get light from sunrise to sunset but are under some sort of screen that filters the sunlight. I bought a book from him that he recommends that says 4 hours minimum of sunlight in summer. It helps to develop buds for next spring.


Thanks Shohin Kid. So it sounds like Dave puts them in sunlight all day, but uses shadecloth to minimize the harsh sun. Do you use any shading with yours?

I guess I'm thinking that maybe my satsukis are getting too much shade.
 

TeKmInIbI

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When removing the flowers, everything comes off, all the way down to the ovaries. Leave no trace.


4 Hours of sun minimum. One of the most important factors concerning the growth of azaleas is the amount and intensity of sunlight.


You can do a little pruning now, but don't overdo it. Wait until the fall to mainly style.

Alright, i put it outside in the sun today and it should get about 7-8hours of full sun.. so hopefully it doesn't burn if we have another hot day.
Thanks again for the reply!
 
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