Azaleas How To Cultivate Them

Comparatively few of these charming plants are to be seen outside of

green-houses and private conservatories, we know not for what reasons,

unless it be the erroneous idea that they cannot be successfully grown

unless one has the facilities of the florist. I think there is no class

of plants more easy of culture, when the manner of treating them is once

understood, than Azaleas. As they are decidedly winter-flowering plants,

generally coming into bloom from December to March and April, they must

be treated as such. They should have the same kind of treatment during

the summer as recommended for Camellias, allowing them to rest in some

cool, shady spot out-of-doors, during which period the flowering shoots

will grow that are to give the bloom through the winter months. They can

be taken into the house any time in the fall before freezing weather,

and they will thrive well in an atmosphere suited to the generality of

plants, although to bring the bloom out to the best, an atmosphere of

55 deg. is needed.



There are over one hundred distinct varieties, ranging from pure white

to lilac-purple, scarlet and pink, and when in full bloom the entire

plant might be easily mistaken for a large bouquet, so literally covered

is it with dazzling blossoms.



One or two varieties of Azaleas should grace every collection; almost

every florist keeps them in stock, and the price asked is but a small

consideration compared with the amount of pleasure one will derive by

having them in full bloom himself.



Florists hardly ever attempt to multiply the Azaleas from cuttings, on

account of the hardness of the wood, but the common mode of multiplying

them is by grafting on the stock of the Wild Azalea, plants being easily

and quickly obtained through this method. The Azalea will flourish best

with a rich, mucky loam, a rather shady locality, and an abundance of

water.