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Re: Rooting Azaleas

I've had reasonable success with various evergreen Azaleas using cuttings
of semi-mature wood taken in August in a mix of peat and coarse sand...used
plain old Rootone...no bottom heat.  Cuttings were left outside under a
covered walk - no direct sun - flats covered with plastic dome as I
remember.  Our temps are quite warm August - October.  If you are in a
cooler climate, bottom heat might help.  About half rooted using these
fairly primitive procedures.  Wintered over in my pseudo greenhouse which
stays about 40 - 50F.  Potted on the following spring.  I seem to remember
nipping out any new soft wood that was present...the soft growth wilts
badly.

Layering works well for evergreen Azaleas.  Putting a rock over the branch
where it touches down - or a brick is good because it keeps the branch in
contact with the ground.  Wounding the underside of the branch helps, but
many Azaleas will self-layer if in continuous contact with moist soil.  
You need to let a decent root system form before you sever the branch from
the mother plant.

From what I've read, deciduous Azaleas can also be rooted from softwood
cuttings and members of the Rhododendron family vary in difficulty in
rooting cuttings.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
http://www.suite101.com
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