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This lovely flowering plant makes a perfect long-lasting gift for Mother’s
Day, Valentine’s Day, and Birthdays. It can also be used as centerpieces at a wedding or to replace expensive cut flower
arrangements in your home or office. Azaleas have terminal blooms, so the entire
plant flowers at one time, making a beautiful display. Florist azaleas are different
than outdoor azaleas and rarely do well when planted in your garden.
Houseplant 411 for the iPhone & i Pod Touch
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CARE OF AZALEAS
Light: Azaleas require bright indirect light while blooming, but never direct sunlight. If there is not enough light the
buds may not open. Water: Azaleas need to be moist all of the time but
never soggy. Water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Another way to determine if your plant needs water is to lift it;
it will be heavy after you water it and light when it needs water. Azaleas are acid loving plants, so if your water is alkaline,
add one tablespoon of vinegar to each gallon of water you use. Leaves will drop off is the plant gets too wet or too dry. Temperature: Azaleas do best and the blooms last longer when the temperature
is cool, 50-60 degrees at night and 60-70 degrees during the day. If it is too hot, over 80 degrees, leaves drop and flowers
die. Fertilizer: Azaleas require an acidic fertilizer once a month at 1/3rd
strength. You should not fertilize when the plant is in bloom. Azaleas will love your left over tea. After Bloom Care: Remove the flowers when they have died and give your azalea a little haircut. Move the plant
to a cool room with less light, continue to water when needed, and fertilize monthly. After several months when buds start
to appear, move your azalea back into bright indirect light.
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AZALEA FAQ’S
1. Why are the leaves falling off of my azalea?Sadly, there could be many reasons:
your room is too hot or too dry, the soil is too wet or it got too dry before you watered it, or the plant is in a draft.
2. Can I get my azalea to bloom again?You can get an azalea to bloom
again but it’s not easy. Azaleas require about 6 weeks of very cool nighttime temperatures, 40-50 degrees, in order
for blooms to set. High humidity is also needed. Once the buds have developed move your plant to a warmer brighter location.
Azaleas will bloom once a year if you’re lucky. 3. Every time I buy an azalea
the blooms all die within a few days. How can I get them to last longer?When you buy an azalea, look for one
that has only a few open flowers and mostly buds showing a little color. At home, place it in a bright but cool location,
away from heaters, air conditioners, and direct sun. 4. When I water my azalea
it doesn’t seem to absorb any of the water and is just as light after I water as before I watered.The plant
has gotten too dry. Dip the entire pot in a bucket or sink full of water; hold it there until the bubbles stop coming out
of the soil
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