Azalea leaves

[Bill S]

Good stuff Martin.

I would stay away from the peat and perlite, otherwise there is a variety of soils that work for azeleas, don't want them soggy, definately not dried out.

 

[Ross]

I don't like the perlite either, but I have some and would like to use it up. Seems that everything I read recommends peat for Azaleas to help maintain acidity. I know it is hard to get wet and then stays wet for awhile, but I figured it would be okay if I watch the watering.

 

[Bill S]

May I suggest using it in a grow box containing a larger collected specimen maybe, to cut down on weight.

 

[Ross]

Perlite

The only reason I bought it was because in the middle of repotting, I ran low on Turface and basically needed some cheap and easily available filler. I hate it though. It's ugly, and when you sift it, you lose more than half. It also floats to the surface when watered, despite being weighed down by heavier components. It seems to work though. Good point about the weight, I wish my big watering can was a bit lighter.

 

[Ross]

Most of the flowers are blooming, and I had some time, so I thought I'd post some pics. Too bad I won't see them again for a few years.

 

[Ross]

Well the azalea put on a nice show this year so I thought I'd post a picture.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Beautiful! Why don't you think you will see blooms again for a few years?

 

[Ross]

Well those last two posts are a year apart, and last year I thought I would cut this years blooms off to divert energy into new growth, but I didn't end up repotting it and hadn't decided what to do with it so I let it flower again and it was nicer than last year.