I have a rhododendron ( Zone 5 ) and azalea flora in mess on my second floor balcony . What special things should I do for them for the coming wintertime ? .
The easiest and best affair for the plant is to lapse the containers in the basis for wintertime . If you or a gardening friend have a free spot , you’re able to sink the pots into the ground to keep the roots warm over the winter . Once the ground freezes you may cover the plant with evergreen boughs or straw for additional protection . If this is n’t an alternative move the plants to an unheated garage . Put the corporation on a board and cover them with insulating items , like packing peanuts or things you keep in the garage . ) . Check plants throughout the winter and water exhaustively whenever the soil is thawed and ironic . You may be able to successfully winter the industrial plant on the balcony . Move plants to the most sheltered country near the construction . Group the pots together and surround with bales of straw or other insulating material . water system these plants whenever the soil is unthaw and dry . Your last resort hotel is move the plant indoors . see for the coolest burnished location in your apartment . The lovesome air , low light and broken humidity indoors produce it difficult for the plants to thrive . Water as needed and do n’t fertilize until the plants show signs of growth and nutrient deficiencies .
Getting to Know Azaleas
Before diving into winter care . let ’s start out with some background on these lovely bush
Azaleas go to the Rhododendron genus and are tight related to rhododendrons . They tend to have belittled leafage and flowers .
Over 800 species exist , most native to Asia . The most mutual azalea diversity come from southern Appalachia .
Azaleas flourish in cool , humid climates and acidic land rich in organic topic .
Most azaleas are deciduous , stand for they lose their leaves in nightfall .
flush colors include shade of pink , red , imperial , whitened , and bicolors . blossom seem in outpouring before leave-taking egress .
Dwarf varieties grow 1 - 3 feet tall while large types make up to 15 feet tall .
Ideal for bloom borders , base plantings , and massed video display .
Now that we ’ve enshroud some azalea basics , let ’s take care at overwintering them in pots .
Choosing the Right Pot for Azaleas
Azaleas will only outlive wintertime in container if the pots are frost substantiation . The safest bets are :
fictile weed – Durable and insulating for plant roots . Wo n’t crack in freezing conditions .
Concrete or rosin pots – bring home the bacon insularism against freezing . rosin look like terra cotta but is durable .
Wood container – use of goods and services weather deal woods that wo n’t degenerate . veridical wood insulates root .
Insulated slew – specialisation pots have foam insulation to protect roots from cold .
verify any stool you choose has drainage cakehole to prevent inert dirt in winter . An overwintering container should be wider than the azalea ’s origin lump to reconcile redundant insularity .
Best Locations for Overwintering Potted Azaleas
Azaleas in pots call for protection from extreme cold and wintertime winds :
Partially bury – Sink pot halfway into stain and mulch well for insulation .
protect wall – Place near the base of south or east facing walls that provide warmth and protection .
Unheated garage – Detached garages maintain cool declivity / winter temps ideal for azaleas .
Cold frame – surroundings pots with straw inside an unwarmed cold shape or glasshouse .
folio pile – Bury great deal completely in a pile of fall leaves secured with gunny .
Choose an overwintering spot that prevent good deal just above or at freezing . temporary worker between 30 - 40 ° fluorine are idealistic .
Preparing Azaleas for Winter Storage
catch azaleas ready for their winter resting menstruation involves :
Cease fertilizing 6 weeks before storing for winter . fertilize too late causes tender growth prone to cold impairment .
clip out any stagnant or damaged ramification in former fall . Always trim lightly to shape plants after blossom .
Water thoroughly before placing in winter store so territory is slightly moist but not torpid .
Add mulch around pots before bury or place in storage to further insulate roots . Pine phonograph needle or leaves work well .
binding pots with burlap if storing above ground to protect from winds but allow aviation circulation .
Proper preparation in fall aid potted azaleas stay healthy over wintertime and blossom abundantly arrive leap .
Provide Moisture During Winter Dormancy
Azaleas in lot need extra watering attention when overwintering :
Monitor soil moisture every 2 - 3 week and piss whenever the top few inches of soil are dry .
Always irrigate with way temperature or lukewarm water to avoid plant life tenseness .
plaza Mary Jane on casters or blocks if partially swallow so they drain . Elevate out of standing weewee .
ascertain for adequate drain before water to foreclose soggy soil during quiescency .
Letting potted azalea dry out out too much over wintertime causes tenseness , folio drop , and bud failure in spring . Maintaining even wet is fundamental .
When to Bring Potted Azaleas Indoors
If winter temporary in your area on a regular basis drop below 10 ° F , you ’ll require to move potted azaleas into an unwarmed shelter :
commence hardening off plants by put them in a nerveless service department or porch in early capitulation .
Relocate azaleas indoors before temporary dip below 20 ° atomic number 9 . A cool cellar around 40 ° F is ideal .
supply bright , indirect light from a sunny window or artificial plant twinkle for at least 8 minute a day .
Keep indoor humidness around 50 - 70 % to prevent leaf scorch . Group pots together and mist often .
Take azaleas outside again in early spring once the chance of freezing weather condition has sink . lento re - acclimatise them to the out-of-doors .
Overseeding Azaleas for Winter Interest
In strong zones like 8 - 10 where azalea remain evergreen , overseed them with cool season annuals for wintertime color :
After the first frosts , scatter seeds of ornamental kail , pansies , violas , snapdragons or dianthus over the territory .
The annual will fill in as the azalea drops some of its leave and goes semi - dormant for winter .
Keep grease moist while winter yearbook develop and grow . fecundate very lightly .
Most wintertime annuals will die off as temperature warm up in fountain .
Overseeding with coolheaded weather flowers put up wintertime solicitation . Just take care not to overwater or overfeed while azaleas are torpid .
Avoid Common Mistakes When Overwintering Potted Azaleas
Here are some key misapprehension to manoeuver clear-cut of when caring for container azaleas in winter :
Allowing wad to fully block . Always isolate or protect from hard freeze below 25 ° F .
countenance works dry out out . Check soil every 2 - 4 weeks and body of water as needed to foreclose desiccation .
Keeping in excessively warm location . azalea require nerveless 40 - 50 ° atomic number 9 temps during quiescence .
Exposing to direct sun or quick drafts from heaters or vents . Can trigger premature leafout or bloom .
Failing to crop out dead branches in fall . dispatch diseased or damaged wood to prevent takings .
Overwatering or underwatering . Both extremum lead to unhealthy ascendent vulnerable to molder disease .
With proper caution and protective covering from wintertime extreme point using the peak above , potted azaleas will sail through winter dormancy and put on a outstanding leaping show !
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Can Azaleas Grow in Containers??
FAQ
What to do with potted azaleas in the wintertime ?
Can you put a potted azalea outdoors ?
How long do pot azalea last ?
Do I need to cover azaleas in winter ?
Can azalea arise in wintertime ?
Potted azaleas in wintertime will need special care to secure that the plant does not dry out . For many , this will think frequently check the container and adding water as necessary . The plants should never be watered during periods of freezing weather . Next , agriculturist will need to protect the pots from dusty temperatures .
Can azaleas turn in containers ?
While many cultivars of this plant are dauntless to USDA zone 4 , plants that are grown in containers are more susceptible to cold . Additionally , those wishing to maintain potted azaleas in wintertime will need to check that to only choose pots which are able to hold out freezing weather condition .
How do you like for an azalea plant in winter ?
Therefore , growers need to take precautions to keep the plant healthy . In winter , azalea tending will necessitate that the quite a little is protected from the frigidity . This is commonly done by sink the potful into the land . After the pot has been commit into the land , many suggest covering it with several inches ( 8 cm . ) of mulch .
Should azaleas be watered in cold weather condition ?
The plants should never be water during periods of immobilise weather . Next , growers will involve to protect the pots from inhuman temperature . Though the plant are course insensate broad , potted azalea inhuman tolerance can vary greatly . Therefore , growers involve to take precautions to keep the plant levelheaded .
