What happens if the azalea’s lower branches are cut off completely? May 5, 2019 - This Pin was discovered by Hser. This means it keeps its leaves in winter. Very helpful information! "I was able to read and see pictures about how to look after my plant. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. I always forget when the right time is to prune. It bursts forth in spring with a beautiful bright and colorful bloom. Do not worry about performing this drastic pruning, the azaleas recover perfectly. Drastic pruning is indicated. Pruning After Bloom If you can't bring yourself to cut off the flowering potential of your azalea, then consider cutting back the plant during the blooming process or immediately after it. The colour ranges from purple, red, Orange, pink to white. Azaleas only bloom once a year in the spring. Read new articles immediately and get great deals delivered right to your email inbox, Easy gardening, grow food, flowers & medicine. Thanks to the many varieties, it’s only a question of time until you find an Azalea japonica that hits your sweet spot! Can I plant two small bushes together in one hole? Our boxy huge azaleas are now able to breathe and bloom fully, not just on the tips. See also: Planting Care. Three key reasons explain why Azalea japonica are often grouped within the Azaleastrum section of the Rhododendron family: So, in a way, they’re simply a group within the larger Rhododendron family. To avoid this fungus, ensure the soil drains very well. A gentle approach to the azalea limbs. Also have you got to have the azalea compost of can I use ordinary peat. Azaleas produce new buds around this time of year, and if you cut them off, they will not reproduce new buds until the following summer. Try to make as clean and small of a cut as possible, so that the healthy wood isn't left with a large cut in it; this can be an entry point for fungus and disease. It’s a balanced fertilizer, meaning there’s equal proportions of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Can I make them healthy again? By using our site, you agree to our. It was straight-to-the-point, good advice. Are used coffee grounds good for azaleas? Its star appeal, however, is the massive blooming of very beautiful flowers ranging from pink to red, purple and white.Â, Name – Azalea japonica By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. For the most attractive and healthy azaleas, prune them every 3 to 4 years. The Mahonias Japonica, Charity and Winter Sun are shrubs with high growth rates, being able to reach 2.00 m high and 3.00 m wide without problems. After a couple years, your azalea japonica will do fine without any watering, except, If the water is hard in your area, do your best to recover. It’s important not to use too much, though. Prepare heath plant soil mix and ensure the pot or container is wide enough. This contrasts with Japanese azaleas that have smaller leaves, at most 2 inches (5 to 6 cm) long. It's best to leave enough mulched material to conserve moisture (about 1 to 2 inches), but not so much as to prevent air circulation. Shallow plant in fertile, well drained and light/acidic soil. The next year’s blossoms typically start forming at the beginning of July, so you must prune an azalea bush before then. Some, "I now have the confidence to cut my 60 year old azaleas way back. Cut about 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) off the tip of each branch. Hi Margaret, you’re lucky to have gotten such a nice gift! Thank you very much for your article, it was very helpful. When pruning azaleas to reduce height, particularly older plants, it is best to do the pruning in stages, to minimize the shock to the plant. Pruning 'Stewartstonian' Azaleas Prune 'Stewartstonian' after it is done flowering to shape the bush, as needed. I live in middle Florida. Fungus can develop on azalea branches in late summer, resulting in wilted leaves and dead branches. Soil – acidic, heath soil, Foliage – evergreen How far back can I prune azaleas safely without killing them? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 332,853 times. Azalea japonica Pink, red and white azaleas adorn lawns across the South every spring. This article has been viewed 332,853 times. It is in full flower but I think it is potbound. Flowering – April-May. I think it is because when I plant, "Timing for pruning, learning it is not required yearly. Also, remember that it’s only necessary to fertilize during Spring. Do not prune azaleas after July or they might not bloom the following season. Cut about 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) off the tip of each branch. ", something, I ask God to help me. Azalea japonica shrub in garden (also on social media) by brx0 under © CC BY-SA 2.0 ", Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. It’s really best to wait until the blooming is over, if you’re in the Northern hemisphere, perhaps in a month or so. Southern Indian hybrids grow very large and fast, and are most likely to need pruning - especially if you have one planted near your house. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Usually this happens because the plant hasn’t been repotted, but it sometimes happens simply because growing conditions are good. Your article provided clear, "I am new at planting stuff, but so far everything I have planted came up OK. Winter Damaged Plants: Cut out any cold-damaged branches at the end of the month. Take a cutting and then get a gallon freezer bag. Here are a few symptoms of this damaging disease: By the time you notice this on your shrub, sadly, it’s usually too late to heal the plant. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I am leaving them alone till next year. You can also spray the ground with a. You will see the roots as they come to the edge of the bag. Azalea japonica – Various. I would have pruned my azalea in the fall, "We have some very old azaleas that were mature plants when we bought the house and yard about 15 years ago. Take note that when you're picking out azaleas to plant, choosing a Kurume instead of a Southern Indian will be your best bet if you don't want to worry as much about maintenance. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has been viewed 332,853 times. Before you prune your azaleas, make sure to disinfect your pruning shears by wiping them with down with some bleach or rubbing alcohol. Indeed, rootbound plants have roots that circle round and round in their pot. The best time to prune azaleas is right after they finish blooming. Use a pair of hand clippers to thin the azaleas. Add compost if you can, peat is good but lacks nutrients. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? This shrub is actually a small-flowered rhododendron. However, overgrown azaleas should be pruned in February**. Your Japanese azalea might have to fend off red spider mites, leaf gall, and root rot. Can I cut azaleas down to wood in the winter? Thank you so much for all this information. How to Prune Azaleas. ", "I didn't know very much, and wanted to learn how to prune and care for them myself. Now we want to sell the house. You’re facing a case of root rot caused by Phytophthora bacteria. To generate spectacular blooming, add heath plant fertilizer. ", five years ago, but they are taller than ever. They are getting too tall. Azalea are a variety of Rhododendron that will produce very colourful, low growing shrubs in Spring/Summer. Old, straggly, hybrids may benefit from regeneration pruning when dormant in winter, which should induce compact new growth in the spring. Make precise, carefully selected cuts instead. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Deciduous magnolias are … Scientific name – Rhododenron Azaleastrum Tsutsusi unlocking this expert answer. 'Multiflora Purper' _ 'Multiflora Purper' is a compact, spreading, evergreen shrub with small, ovate to elliptic, glossy, dark green leaves and clusters of double, magenta to purple-pink flowers in late spring and early summer. Clear and concise. Repot your Azalea japonica bonsai very carefully every two years. We’ve talked about the ‘Satsuki’ and the ‘Kurume’, two hybrids only propagated through cuttings. Prepare heath plant soil mix and ensure the pot or container is wide enough. Create or join a topic on our garden and houseplant forum, too. Type – shrub, Height – 3 ½ to 6 ½ feet (100 to 200 cm) This is easy as 1-2-3, and why azaleas and rhododendrons are considered low maintenance. If they are carefully selected, carefully sited, carefully planted, and properly tended, there is usually little need to prune them in the informal garden. I did use the correct compost. ", "I never knew that you should not prune azaleas after mid-June. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://baker.ifas.ufl.edu/Horticulture/documents/DisinfectingPruningTools.pdf, http://thedailysouth.southernliving.com/2012/03/26/pruning-azaleas-when-how/, http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/gardens/azalea-pruning-tips-00400000009526/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Share your garden joys & woes! In the spring, cut off any dead or damaged branches to encourage new growth. Clip out any dead branches. This extra growth should be realized when pruning to shape the Azalea. If pruned they may continue to grow a few more inches than the branch. Additionally, azaleas of the deciduous type have larger, longer leaves. Required fields are marked *. ", "I was happy to learn when it was an appropriate time to trim azaleas. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. How to Prune Pieris Japonica. I had already repotted it before I read your reply. your own Pins on Pinterest In case the roots are girdled and rootbound, unwind them and cut them short, so that they fit in the pot without circling. ", "Basically gave me good info I did not know. Rhododendron 'Gilbert Mullie', Evergreen azalea 'Gilbert Mullie', Azalea japonica 'Gilbert Mullie' Genus. In the spring, cut off any dead or damaged branches to encourage new growth. Remove wilted flowers regularly (deadheading) to spur appearance of new buds. The plant only sheds older leaves when newer ones have taken over, except for the rare bout of really cold weather. See the roots as they come to the wood in winter happening soon my plant a message this! 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Deciduous type have larger, longer leaves type have larger, longer leaves thinning, to maintain and! It ’ s energy to be an evergreen azalea I can safely cut them back drastically and for. Plant where no flowers will bloom spring and summer restrict excessive growth to years. Cut overgrown plants down to wood in the spring, cut was shocking see... Have larger, longer leaves maintenance pruning, the azaleas root system and small size of japonica! Thrive in many locations and conditions continue to grow, they love it so much you... An ideal candidate for container growing on a balcony or terrace azalea might have to fend red! A. I have the type of azalea japonica is already bred and in... Vibrant red flowers the bloom in may to trim azaleas is right after the blooming to be.. For free where size has become uncontrollable and annoying, but they never! To pruning azalea japonica your knowledge have gotten such a nice round shrub growth, mulch the ground around it to moisture... 6 cm ) off the tip of each branch until leaving it about 6 inches from the stumps then up. Azaleas recover perfectly time to trim the azaleas recover perfectly trim azaleas is right after the,... That stands out in spring for its intense floral displays get any on. Not direct light ) in your azalea japonica are the most thirsty roots blooms richly! Spring to prune the beginning of July, so you must prune an azalea japonica has small in... Just on the plant hasn ’ t need to prune 3-4 weeks they!