Cultivation. Regardless of the method of reproduction during the winter, azaleas remain on the window sills in a cold greenhouse with a temperature of 6-8 °. We water them moderately, but paying attention, keep the earth constantly moist, we ventilate the greenhouses every day.
Cultivation in the second year. In March, we carry out the first crown formation in April, which should be in the shape of a slightly flattened sphere. So we prune all the shoots, which extend beyond the reach of the crown, we cut out very weak, and the rest are shortened this way, to obtain the desired habit. Make the cut with a very sharp pruner so as not to crush the shoots.
In the second half of May, the azaleas are transplanted into Belgian plants or in fresh soil, to which it was added 3 kg of horn filings and 1 kg of bone meal per 1 m3. We cover them with shades until we are accepted. If no fertilizers were given to the ground, during the growth period, it is recommended to feed the fermented plants every two weeks (1 Pour over kg of fertilizer 10 1 water) and diluted (1 : 40) with chicken manure. Besides, we cherish them as in the first year.
We conduct a selection in August. Plants having a small (with 5-7 shoots) but a shapely crown may be taken for driving later in the same year. For the remaining plants, we carry out the second crown formation following the same rules as in spring.
In mid-September, we move the azaleas to the greenhouse, just like last year. Intended for further cultivation, they are planted directly on the tables in a greenhouse with a temperature of 6–8 ° at spacing 18 X 20 cm, a intended for driving into pots of the appropriate size (9— 11 cm). Too large root balls can be trimmed lightly with a knife, but they must be tight and fit snugly against the pot walls. Until forcing, they remain in the same conditions as those intended for further cultivation. We care for them as in the previous year.
Cultivation in the third year. In March-April, we proceed to the final formation of the crowns. Because they should already have the correct shape, the cut can be limited to nipping at the soft tip, when removed, 3–4 well-developed leaves remain. Shoots should not be too lignified, because then they give poor gains.
In May, azaleas are planted in Belgian plants or in fresh soil beds, spaced apart 30 X 30 cm. Planted plants should be permanently shaded by the end of June, and then shade only during strong sunlight. Water and feed as in the second year.
Weeds should be removed throughout the azalea cultivation period, shake the surface of the earth, and cleanse the plants of dead leaves. In September, the plants are planted in pots with a diameter of 16-18 cm.
Rushing. The driving process is the same, both plants two- and three-year-olds. Azaleas grown for three years should form shrubs of approx 40 cm in diameter and develop more or less 80 flowers. In the fall, all the plants are left in the greenhouse with a temperature of 8-10 °. Early varieties are sprouted for two months, medium early on 7 weeks, and the late ones on 6 weeks before flowering.
Rushing begins by increasing the temperature every two days by 2 °, first to 12 °, then 14 °, 16°, 18° and finally 20 °. Plants are aired and watered profusely and sprinkled once or twice a day. As soon as the petals of the crown begin to develop, sprinkling is stopped to avoid rotting the flowers. Lowering the temperature to 12-15 ° during this time preserves the freshness of the flowers for a longer time.
After flowering, trim the azaleas as if you were to form crowns, we transplant to fresh soil and cultivate as in the third year of cultivation.