If you prune your azalea every few years, you prevent the dreaded balding from the inside. The right time is just as important as a competent cut. How to cut an alpine rose correctly.
Fading can be removed at any time
Prune azaleas in spring
An azalea plants the buds for its opulent blooms in spring the previous year. As with all spring-flowering shrubs, any attempt to reach for a pair of scissors on alpine roses carries the risk of destroying the valuable blossoms.
Since the Asian blossom beauty creates its picturesque shape on its own, pruning should only be considered if necessary. The beginning of March, shortly before the start of the growth period, is good for vitality and abundance of flowers. On the other hand, if you attack your azalea with scissors in autumn or winter, the worst that can happen is a total failure.
Thin out and cut the azalea - this is how it works
In contrast to its majestic cousin rhododendron, sharp rose scissors are sufficient for cutting an azalea. Choose bypass shears with two sharp blades over anvil shears. The latter works with a sharp and blunt side, so bruises on the drive are inevitable. You can do it right with the following cut:
- Thin out branches that have snapped off, grow sideways and dead branches at the beginning
- Cut thin shoots up to 1 cm in diameter onto a branch
- Cut back thicker shoots to 5 cm short cones, ideally with leaves on the side
- Branches protruding from the mold lead to a lateral, outward-facing young shoot
The recommended pruning to cones accommodates the leisurely growth of an azalea. By leaving the small stub in place, you encourage the alpine rose to sprout quickly. The plan works all the better if there is a leaf on the tenon. Young shoots will sprout by the next year. Select the most promising specimen and remove the remaining shoots along with the dried cone remains.
Clean after flowering
Annual trimming of faded blossoms rounds off the perfect pruning of an azalea. Since an alpine rose does not shed its dead flowers by itself, you can use this uncomplicated measure to give the ornamental tree a floral arm. In this way you clear the way for new buds that an azalea puts in place in the summer. How to properly clean faded flowers:
- Place your palms on the withered flower
- Grasp the piece of shoot below the blossom with your index finger and thumb
- Either snap off or break off at the side
Scissors are usually not required. If, on the other hand, you feel a clear resistance, it is better to cut off the withered flower. It is important to note that you do not damage the fresh buds when cleaning out.
tips
Your azalea can cope with the most radical type of cut if you proceed in stages. Spread a makeover pruning over two to three years. Every spring, cut back part of the old, senile main shoots to 30 centimeters. Prune their side branches into short cones.