Page 51 - BSAM 2016 Q2

e formation of branching generally occurs a er owering (can also be done before but you lose the owering period). In autumn/winter eliminate the weakest branches and the most vigorous, then, very gently, wire and position the branches to form foli- age pads. Style azalea like the bushy plants they are in nature.
When pruning you should tend to favor the devel- opment the foliage in the apex. e terminal or api- cal buds are weaker than the lateral buds. To obtain a right balance and uniform foliage on the plant, prune the lower branches and their outer areas more aggres- sively.
e pruning must be performed partially on young plants in order to promote owering and more in- tensely on old plants, thinning the vegetation in the outer areas and on the apex to allow more light into the interior areas.
During spring, before owering eliminate the vari- ous suckers, both basal and areal that are typically produced by azaleas.
Regarding pruning for owering, we tend to leave the larger, therefore more vigorous, buds; in the case of multi-colored azaleas we can also act on the color, removing those darker in color (they tend to magen- ta as in the native rhododendron species), favouring the lighter (pink-white). is selection is di cult to make as it is necessary to recognize a closed bud that is darker, one that tends to have darker reddish color.
A er owering is necessary to remove the fruit pro- duced, by separating it from the mature ower stalk. is operation allows the plant increased vegetative growth and prevents unnecessary loss of nutrients because the fruit has no aesthetic function. It is also possible to perform a rst pruning to the shoots that grow upwards vertically and the more vigorous lateral shoots (typical of the lower part of the azaleas).
As for diseases, the azaleas are subject to foliar fungi, such as the typical azalea gall, and pests, such as spider mites. In case of attacks of this type it is rec- ommended to intervene with suitable fungicides and insecticides of professional type, so as to obtain the desired e ect with one single treatment.
FERTILIZER ABSORPTION CURVE FOR PLANTS
Absorption varies, depending on the climate and season.
+P/K +N
APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEPT OCT
Macro elements NPK (N = Nitrogen useful for leaf development; P = Phosphorus useful for development owering / fruiting; K = Potassium useful for stem growth)
+ Ca (useful to tissues) / Mg / S / Fe (useful for chlorophyll formation) Micro elements: Mn / B / Md / Cu / Zn / Co (catalysts of biological processes)
Top and Middle;
Satzuki Korin (magenta owers with small shape of the corolla of a lily and thick);
Bottom;
Satzuki Kinsai (orange-red owers frayed and some without fraying).
+N +P/K
April/May/June 2016 | BCI | 49