Azalea
As azaleas different species and varieties of the genus Rhododendron are called. These are small-leaved deciduous or evergreen shrubs.
Room azaleas
Originally, the two come as a houseplant cultivated species from China and Japan. In Europe, the Indian azalea (Rhododendron simsii ) and slightly less often the Japanese Azalea (Rhododendron japonicum) is popular as a houseplant.
The rooms azaleas are highly heterozygous and are therefore increasingly in production exclusively vegetatively ( by cuttings ). There are all varieties that would result in a seeding hundreds of variations, they are not " real seeds ", each variety can only be obtained vegetatively. After rooting, the plug and socket is effected in order to obtain branched plants. Most often cultured in the summer outdoors or under foil. Before the first frost, the pots must be placed in heated greenhouses. There they are cool - frost free - further maintained. Depending on the variety, they are then placed on different dates for " forcing " to warmer greenhouses. The culture to knospigen goods takes place in special nurseries. Drifting is often done in smaller and / or more diverse horticultural enterprises.
In the room the azaleas want a cool space as possible - the cooler the longer they bloom. It is important not to let them dry out completely.
From Rhododendron simsii hundreds of varieties were bred from Rhododendron japonica little less. However, the normal horticultural cultivated assortment comprises less than 50 varieties.
The rooms azaleas bloom from September to April with simple and double flowers in white, pink and red tones.
Garden azaleas
As a garden azaleas especially the deciduous species, Rhododendron molle and Rhododendron flavum be used (formerly Azalea pontica ). Only Rhododendron species are leafless in winter, are called garden azaleas, all others are called rhododendron.
The garden azaleas bloom from May to early June, the two species listed in yellow and orange tones; Rhododendron flavum also shows a beautiful autumn colors of the leaves.
Species
- Pontic azalea (Rhododendron flavum )
- Japanese Azalea (Rhododendron japonicum)
- Gartenazalee (Rhododendron molle )
- Five-leaved azalea (Rhododendron quinquefolium )
- Indian azalea (Rhododendron simsii )