Azaleas are in FULL BLOOM!

[Ann B.]

Wow! In one weeks time, they are everywhere. White ones, pastel pink ones, red ones, lavender, hot pink, small and big, young and old, dwarf and HUGE!

My neighbor has a new one that is to die for... She looked for the tag, but couldn' t find it. It is almost a dark purple, but not quite. I'd probably categorize it as a mixture of burgandy and purple. Not sure though... And the blossom petals have a satiny gleen/glow to them. Very pretty! Watch out for those clippers, this propagating lady has her eyes on this one. I'll be nice and wait until it finishes blooming.

I took a picture, but the color wasn't right. Purples are hard to get just right without a filter.

Here is a dwarf variety, just to give you an idea...

[Ann B.]

I plan to try my hand at this one, also...

[Ann B.]

Looks fantastic in part shade...

[Ann B.]

Or at least that is what this one is supposed to be.

[Ann B.]

These are beautiful. They are deciduous, but what a display and the fragrance is heavenly.

[sue salley]

Ann, Your native is Beautiful. I like it better than the non natives. our azaleas haven't started to bloom yet. We are still in the daffodil stage.

[Ann B.]

Azalea season has passed. There will be more to bloom, but they will be here and there.

Here is another native azalea. The blooms are about twice as big and not as many in a cluster...

[vicki]

Very pretty Ann. I love azaleas and rhododendrons. I have 3 so far, this one is from my friend Nancy, for my birthday. It was in full bloom (from being in the greenhouse), but normally blooms here the end of April. Very pale lavender with double blooms.

April Reigns Rhododendron

[sue salley]

Vicki, That is sure pretty. I finally bought myself the native yellow one that I have been wanting. It is very fragrant and clear yellow. I am going to try air layering it.
I have had trouble growing them here because the place thay need to be is windy and the inter wind gets them. I'll have to find a more sheltered place for this one as I gave an arm and leg for it.

[lbfoss]

Ann or anyone,

do you have any tricks for rooting azalea cuttings? I am pretty successful at the layering with a rock technique but I have a couple with branches well away from the ground so no hope in getting them under the soil.

I did one successful air layering last year, but it didn't winter over and has died. Guess I could try that again, but.....

I need to trim back the azaleas now as they have finished blooming and are ready to be pruned. It says on- line to take cutting you must cut the green stems, but I don't have any yet, they are way too new. should I wait on pruning for a few more weeks?? I don't want to wait too long and end up cutting off the new blossoms for next season. Some of these guys are just so
big and my other plants need a little light!

thanks!!

[Ann B.]

Linda,

If you are going to take cuttings of tender new growth, then an intermittent mist system would help. Most people here just opt for taking cuttings that are semi-hardwood. Ie., not really old wood, but relatively new growth that has time to harden enough for the stems to turn brown.

Rooting hormone would help. If the stems are larger in diameter (about 1/2 to 3/4th the diameter of a regular pencil), then you may want to split the cut end vertically because the cuttings will be more woody, and this would allow for more water absorption.

Most old timers here just cut a stem, remove the lower leaves and stick it in a pot. Then they put it in shade and keep it watered. Keep in mind, though, that our humidity is high, high, high because of being so close to huge bodies of water.

Also, most stick the cuttings in 1 gallon containers because they grow so fast.

Let us know how it goes for you...

[lbfoss]

I am running out of bright but shady places to place my cuttings. I think I wil try all type of cuttings, some with green stems and put them under glass jars, some air layering (bought some gizmos on line to try out ) and some woodier stems, I have the stronger hormone stuff, I think.

Silly me, I pinched back all my mums, and stuck the cuttings and now have 24 happy little mum plants to contend with!! May pot them in 3s and see how they do for the fall. It is keeping everyone watered that is my problem.

Will let you know how they come out!!
Thanks!