How to prune azalea

When to prune azalea

Rhododendrons are usually shaped and pruned after flowering, cutting off the dead flowers and useless branches. This can ensure that there is no excessive waste of nutrients and can also allow the plant to resume growth faster.

Pruning branches of azalea

In the early stage of growth and development of azalea, pinching can be done to promote branching. Weak branches and horizontal branches should be pruned to retain the leaves of the lower outward buds. For formed plants, uneven branches can be thinned out, and weak and diseased branches can be removed in time. Do not do strong pruning, otherwise it will affect germination.

Western azalea is generally pruned only after flowering, which is beneficial to the formation of the plant's flower shape in the future. When it is still a seedling within 2 to 4 years, cutting off the flower buds can accelerate the formation of the skeleton. Timely pruning of overgrown branches during the growth period can well control the shape of the plant. If the branches and leaves are found to be yellowing, withering, or damaged, they can be cut off. Deformed branches must be cut off.

Tips for pruning azalea

Azalea grows slowly and is generally not pruned during the seedling stage. If there are a large number of branches after a few years of cultivation, you can cut off the dense branches, weak branches, leggy branches and diseased and insect-infested branches in early spring. It is also necessary to remove the buds on the grafted rootstock and the leaf buds around the flower buds to concentrate nutrients on the development of the flower buds. Prune the remaining flowers after the flowering period.

Cuttings of pruned branches of Azalea

Azalea is usually propagated by cuttings in May and June. First, choose relatively mature young stems with a length of 12-15 cm. Cut off the leaves at the bottom of the branches and leave only the tender leaves at the top. Then insert the branches into fertile and loose soil, with a depth of about half of the branches. After planting, be sure to maintain the moisture of the soil. It will take about 60 days for them to take root and grow.