azalea make a brilliant addition to our gardens and yards , and when you find one that work for you , it ’s natural to want a few more !

These members of theRhododendrongenus are highly popular , with over 10,000 register cultivars .

This is peachy for selection , but unfortunately , flora begin from the ejaculate of hybrids do n’t grow reliable to the parent plant . They wo n’t have the same disease impedance , efflorescence substance abuse , or validity of the parent stock .

A close up horizontal image of azaleas blooming in the garden in a mixed planting with lawn in soft focus in the background.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

For fresh plants that are transmissible clones of the parent , azaleas are best pass around vegetatively .

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And the loose and most efficient method for vegetive extension are via rooted stem cuttings , stem layering , and air layering .

A close up vertical image of bright pink azaleas growing in the garden. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

Photo by Lorna Kring.

Any one of these methods can be used reliably to create new plants .

Here ’s what we ’ll cover :

3 Ways to Propagate Azaleas

For evergreen azalea , demand stalk cuttings is the preferent method acting for multiplication . But for deciduous types , stem layering is the method acting you should select for best results .

And a third technique call air layering is a good option for larger shrubs .

Stem Cuttings

To start plants from cutting , you ’ll need a few four- to eight - inch containers with drain holes , drainage fabric such as upset clayware or pebble , root or starter soil premix , rooting compound , and sporting , desexualise garden pruners .

E - Z Root is an organic rooting chemical compound formulated without hormone that you might like to try .

E - Z Root

A close up vertical image of bright pink azaleas growing in the garden. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

It isavailable at Arbico Organics .

Select parent flora that are healthy and vigorous . Give them a long drink of water before get hold of cut to ensure they ’re not water stressed .

In spring right after flowering , or at any item from late summertime to early fall , choose semi - hardened Ellen Price Wood for cuttings .

A close up square image of the packaging of E-Z Root Rooting Compound isolated on a white background.

Semi - harden woods is new growth that ’s season off but still has some flex and bends fairly easily .

keep as follows :

You may plan to sum a individual cutting to four - inch container , two cuttings to six - inch containers , and three or four cut to an eight - in container .

A close up horizontal image of stem cuttings, a terra cotta pot, a pot of rooting hormone, and some clean garden pruners set on a wooden surface.

cut are quick for planting out into the garden in one year , and typically flower in two to three eld .

Stem Layering

Native North American species and deciduous cultivars may be propagated the most successfully via stem layering .

Layering is an soft method acting that mime a rooting process that occurs in nature when low - growing stems touch the ground and root in place .

The contact stem is still attached to the parent works , and as new antecedent are forming , they keep to receive a steady supply of nutrients .

A close up vertical image of a terra cotta pot with stem cuttings taking root set in a shady spot in the garden in front of a stone wall.

For stem layering , you demand a sportsmanlike , sharp tongue , rooting endocrine pulverization or gel , and a landscape pin or rock to hold the stem in property .

Here are the stair for stem layering :

Roots organise in six to 12 weeks , and after they ’re well demonstrate , layered stems can be transplanted . Or , they can be result in space for one to three class , if you prefer to expect for larger plant with plenteous flowers .

A close up horizontal image of a gloved hand placing rooting hormone onto a section of stem for propagation by layering.

Cut the prow from the parent plant close to the contact site .

utilise a trowel or small nigga to loosen the dirt around the plant ’s drip line , then purloin the root Lucille Ball carefully so as not to disturb the roots , and move it to its new location .

bow layered plants often flower in their first year .

A horizontal image of a small white pot containing peat, a gardening knife, rooting hormone, and tin foil set on a wooden surface ready for air layering.

Air Layering

Air layering can be used on turgid plants , and is a good option when staunch ca n’t easily bend to reach the ground or a container .

For melody layering , you need about a cup of moistened peat moss ( or a half - and - half mix of peat and compost ) , two 10 - inch squares of aluminium foil , a clean knife , and rooting chemical compound .

Roots typically form in six to 12 months . At the end of summertime , mildly unwrap the transparency and suss out the ancestor growth .

A close up horizontal image of a plant stem being wrapped in peat, surrounded by foil for air layering.

If there ’s an teemingness of new white roots in the peat moss , expend sporting , crisp pruners to cut the branch from the mother plant . lead the peat in place and make the slice two to four inches below the layering ring .

Soak the new root ball in water before graft out to a lasting container or garden internet site .

If root need further development , rewrap with foil and leave it in place . Check again the following outpouring .

A close up horizontal image of a plant stem wrapped in peat and surrounded with foil for air layering.

Continue water through hot , dry weather but withhold water in winter .

atmosphere layered shrubs often flower in their first year . But removing blossom buds in their first growing time of year is advised to focus vim into strong rootage development .

Easy as 1-2-3

Propagating your azalea through cuttings or layering ensures the young will always be rightful to the parent and that they ’ll have the same qualities , such as disease electric resistance , flowering blueprint , and hardiness .

Our three method for create new bush are light , reliable , and budget friendly way to speedily bestow more beautiful azalea throughout your landscape !

Choose stem press cutting for evergreen azaleas , and stem layer for deciduous or native cultivar . For bragging plant life , includingrhododendrons , atmosphere layering gives dependable results .

A horizontal image of rows of azalea shrubs in terra cotta pots on a wooden shelf.

And for more information ongrowing azaleasin your garden , be sure to check out these guide next :

Photos by Lorna Kring © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Product pic via Arbico Organics . Uncredited exposure : Shutterstock .

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