The bushy and airy Azaleas plant is such a showpiece for your garden. Their colorful and cloudy flower uniquely give your garden a fantastic look. They look amazing in your home standing on a hanging basket, and you can plant them indoors or outdoors.
But the secret to keeping the Azaleas beautiful and lasting longer is in the trimming. However, you do not just go about trimming the Azaleas, and you have to know when and how to trim the sun-loving flowering plant.
When to Trim the Azaleas
Timing is vital to trim the Azaleas and keep it healthy and in good shape. You must know more about the Azaleas plant, its flowering period, and the right time to trim it.
The plant erupts with flowers during the summer, showing off its amazing beauty. And the plant is a fast grower, and the flower may overgrow to a point it will need to be trimmed. But to keep the plant’s glory, you should know when to trim, or else trimming at the wrong time will affect the plant.
I will encourage you to trim after the flower has completely faded and before the start of the next season’s bloom. This period usually coincides with the end of spring, usually in July. So you can plan the trimming of the Azaleas plant to the middle of the year in preparation for the new season.
If you trim close to when it starts blooming, you will end up with all green leaves and no flowers. Thus the timing for trimming the plant is extremely important and should be adhered to to ensure your Azaleas last longer.
Reasons Why You Should Trim The Azaleas
I will advise you to trim your Azaleas when necessary because:
- Trimming helps keep the Azaleas plant healthy. As you trim away unhealthy and dead parts, you create room for air to flow. The airy appearance helps improve the plant’s health and increase its longevity.
- The trimming of the plant helps to control diseases and houseplant pest control, such as powdery mildew, from spreading and destroying your plant.
- You can keep the plant attractive and give it a proper shape by trimming it. The plant can grow bushy and will look unkempt and unattractive when scattered.
How to Prune the Azaleas
As you have seen, there are several benefits of pruning the Azaleas plant, and it is what you must do. At this point, we will show you how to prune the plant, but the pruning method will depend on the purpose.
Annual Pruning of the Azaleas
To maintain your azaleas plant’s beauty and shape, you must carry out the annual pruning before the spring begins.
- Gather and disinfect the tools, such as the cutting shears, before use to prevent infection. You can use alcohol, bleach, or any household disinfectant to wash the cutting tools before use.
- Cut off dead stems during the spring when there are still enough flowers to identify the ones without flowers. This step is carried out during the spring, and you can quickly identify dead flowers.
- Ensure to make a small and sharp cut from the healthy stem.
- After the spring and when the flowers are no more, trim the stem to shape your plant. At this stage, you should be mindful to trim only crowded areas to provide space for air when the flower blooms.
Before you prune the plant, there are certain things you have to consider to ensure that your plant continues to bloom. The timing of pruning the Azaleas plant is vital and should be done before July or mid-year. You should not prune the plant when it is close to spring, and it is best to leave it till next winter.
If you prune beyond three weeks after the plant has stopped flowering, it will affect the flower’s growth in the coming season. As you approach winter, monitor your plant, take note when the flower fades off completely, and then commence your annual pruning of the Azaleas.
Intense Pruning of the Azaleas Plant
Azaleas plant might overgrow, and become unsightly. You want your garden or plant to look neat, especially when they are placed indoors. They may grow beyond the planting pot or their designated area and require intense pruning.
- First, you have to determine the shape you desire for the plant. First, consider the shape you want, which can be determined by the shape of the pot or space available for the plant to grow and expand.
- Then cut the branches deep, and they can go as low as a foot near the ground. You can use a sterilized hand saw or loppers to cut the branches and start cutting them to your desired shape.
- And most importantly, you must fertilize the plant to ensure that they flower after pruning.
- Water the plant regularly till spring, when they start flowering.
Azaleas pruned through the intense approach grow fast, so you should expect to see more flowers after this procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the application of fertilizers cause yellow leaves in the Azaleas plant?
The leaves of the Azaleas plant will burn when fertilizers are applied, leading to the yellowing of leaves. Consult a professional or use mild houseplant fertilizers if you must use fertilizers.
Are azaleas plants toxic?
They contain toxins known as grayanotoxins which are toxic to humans and animals. When the substance is ingested, it can harm humans and animals.