i have an indoor "florist azalea" which from what Ive read can be one of many cultivars but is pretty much sold in bloom.

What i need to know is how to care for it in this area, my goal being to have it rebloom. Im not sure on how the new growth develops, like where the bud is so im hesistant to cut away spent flowers. thanks!

3/6/2006 11:47:47 AM

hawt

3/6/2006 11:49:10 AM

they can be trimmed pretty much the same way you would any shrub

and to get more all it takes is cuttings and to help sprouting use root-em or something like it...they tend to sprout pretty easily as it is

3/6/2006 12:28:40 PM

im not tryna propogate them i aint got no more pots, i just want them to bloom again in the same season and keep them stately without losing new growth or new buds

3/6/2006 1:18:53 PM

bttt

3/6/2006 3:57:47 PM

bttt

3/7/2006 2:06:34 AM

for azaleas in a pot def trim them back. in order to help with the blooms I recommend using fish or bone meal for nutrients...its organic and man the plants love it. Just be careful not to overdue it or you could burn the plant (from experience)

3/7/2006 7:50:21 AM

^yes, and since we have clay, put some soil conditioner in the hole when you plant it so that it can soften up the clay and make it a more productive soil source in the future. If you are in the sandhills, you won't need it (stick an azalea in the ground there and you're done), but here, some soil conditioner helps alot. Cut it back after it blooms. The blooms come on old growth so you want to give your plant a chance to get new leaves which then become old growth, which produce blooms next spring.

Holly Tone is I think some kind of bone or fish meal. Its a bit hard to find here (much easier in the North) and it stinks to high heavens (like dog poop) so don't leave it in the trunk of your car for too long, but it is great for them. Works better than any other fertilizer I have found.

3/7/2006 5:29:32 PM