Question
QUESTION: Portland Oregon: New Azalea Tree that I need to put in a pot.  How would I determine size and shape of new pot.  I know have A. have shallow roots, so a standard clay (larger on top, smaller on bottom) is probably not the right shape.  Do you have any ideas, as I do have 8hrs bright light.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Dee,

What makes you think that you need to repot it immediately? If it is in bloom now is definitely not the time to repot it, you will trigger it to drop all of it's blooms or buds if it hasn't bloomed yet. You are correct, what they call an azalea pot would be best, that is a shallow clay pot that you can get at most garden centers and greenhouses that sell clay pots. A plain clay pot can be set inside another slightly larger container that will both hide it and act as drain tray while the clay pot will allow the roots of the azalea to breathe in carbon dioxide through the sides of the pot so they can breath better. All plant roots breath and are healthier in clay pots. Azaleas are especially difficult plants to grow indoors so a clay azalea pot is ideal.

All Azaleas need to be watered with acidic water -- a teaspoon of any kitchen vinegar per gallon of water.   Bottom watering is preferred; it keeps the petals dry and soaks the roots without washing away any soil.  To keep the flowers going, keep the plant cool (without freezing) and out of the direct sun. Do not have it near a heat or air conditioning duct. Remove spent flowers as soon as they are finished, to extend as long as possible the show of any remaining blooms. After watering pour excess water out of the drain tray and do not leave it sitting with water in the drain tray constantly or the roots will rot. Water it again when the top inch of soil feels dry.

After flowering is finished, repot in a peat moss-fortified soil and and place outdoors in the sun. Make sure the new clay azalea pot is no more than 2 inches larger diameter than the pot it is in now and that the new pot has good drainage holes and a drain tray under it.  If there's more soil then there are roots, you'll develop root rot so don't go to too large a pot.  
 A dose of Compost Tea or Comfrey twice a month will de-toxify your intensely overbloomed shrub, which goes to hell and back during forcing with hormones and special flowering chemicals to get the biggest, most beautiful blooms on schedule.  Do not fertilize for at least 6 months -- your Azalea won't need it if it is getting the relaxing Tea and Comfrey.

Next Fall, when the weather cools off, make sure to have a place for it that's cold but not freezing, sunny and accessible.  Some gardeners maintain they can keep florist Azaleas outdoors as cold as Zone 6 and South, but it's risky.  If your winter is a Zone 5 climate this is the perfect excuse to build a greenhouse, if you do not already have one, so that you can enjoy this and many other splendid and delightful blooms through the frostiest winters. If that is not possible you can keep it in an attached unheated garage that doesn't freeze or in an unheated room. The trick is that it needs light which can be supplied with 2 florescent tubes in a 2 foot or longer fixture and it needs to be kept under 50 degrees Fahrenheit but above 32 degrees Fahrenheit. I keep plants in my basement all winter under lights on a timer. If you have a cool basement that might be perfect.

I know that is more information than you asked for and I hope you find it helpful.

Thanks for writing.  Any more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your great customer service; I was so surprised I "even" got a response today.  Just one more ?: You say they are extremely hard to grow Indoors?  How would I make it easiest to grow outside?  I have great acidic soil for Rhodes and Azaleas (only thing that really does well), and have good place for morning sun only, but is under 50' firs; 10 in a row.  How far away from their roots would I have to plant it in the ground?  Would you think it would grow like this, or should I plant in container (whiskey)?  Is this better than indoors? Thank you so much. Dee

Answer
Dee,

I checked the winter temperatures in Portland and the lows do fall below 32 degrees. In January the lowest low temperature I found was 25 degrees. If you plant it in the ground you will have to mulch it well in the winter and on nights when frost is predicted you will need to protect it because it is a florist azalea and not a hardy azalea.  You can go out and cover it with a blanket on those nights.

Because it has shallow roots it can be planted anywhere you can get a hole dug  as deep as the root ball is which is not that large. As for how far from the fir trees it just has to be far enough away that it gets plenty of sun. Outdoors is fine as long as you are willing to go out and cover it whenever the temperature is going to drop below freezing. If you think that is going to be too much of a hassle then you are better off keeping it indoors. Good luck.

Darlene