Propagate Japanese azaleas by cuttings
For the Japanese azalea, cuttings are also cut in early summer, ideally between late May and late June. Do not use any still soft, green shoots: These are still too immature to root independently and would simply rot. Instead, cut half-ripe twigs about six to eight inches long, with no flowers on them. Continue as described:
- Remove all leaves except for the top pair of leaves.
- Keep the cut (this is where the roots should develop) as diagonally as possible.
- This makes it easier for the cutting to absorb water.
- You can root the cutting in a glass of water (choose a dark vessel!)
- or just put it in potting soil.
- Keep the substrate slightly moist.
- Use low-lime rainwater for watering.
- Put a cut off PET bottle over the plant.
- This takes on the function of a mini greenhouse.
- Put the pot with the cutting in a warm and bright place.
also read
- Japanese azalea begins flowering in late spring
- Hibernating Japanese azaleas properly
- Optimal care for an abundantly blooming Japanese azalea
Propagation by subsidence
The method of reproducing the Japanese azalea using sinkers is also promising. You will need a little patience for this method, however, as it takes a little longer than the cutting method. In contrast to this, the shoots to be rooted are not separated from the mother plant. And this is how you proceed:
- Find some flexible, if possible half-ripe shoots.
- Either dig a small hollow directly into the ground under the mother plant
- or dig in a plant pot filled with soil.
- Now gently bend the branch down
- and cut its bark lengthways.
- Dig this spot into the prepared hollow
- and weigh down the branch with a stone or something similar.
- Keep the area slightly moist.
As soon as the rooting has taken place, you can separate the sinker from the mother plant.
Tips
Unless you remove the inflorescences, the azalea will, with a little luck, form seed pods. You can use the seeds in it for sowing. Sow them immediately or keep them in a cool and dry place to be planted in the spring. Azaleas are light germs, so you shouldn't cover the seeds with soil.
