Question
Now that I've removed the old blooms, I want to re-pot this in a larger pot but to remain indoor. When /how do I do this. I have bought acid fertilizer and special potting soil. Do I trim/cut or just put in a larger pot? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Darlene,

You probably have a florists Azalea which is very difficult to get to re-bloom and I assume that is your intention.

If you want to try, it will take some special care. First, you must prune it back by about one-third. This will keep it compact and promote future flowers.

Repotting discourages reblooming. It may make the plant grow a bit faster, but that growth will be at the expense of flowers. So keep it in its existing pot. That means you will have to monitor the soil moisture very carefully so that you avoid letting more than the surface of the soil dry out. Depending on light, temperature, humidity and pot size, it may require water 2 - 3 times per week.

Keep your azalea on your sunniest windowsill and try to keep it as cool as possible. A sunny, but unheated room would be ideal.

Use an acid fertilizer monthly at half-strength.

It is best to keep the plant in a semi-shady cool place outdoors in summer. If it reaches the point where it needs water on a daily basis, then you can move it to a pot one size larger.

The flower buds are formed in the summer and are much larger than leaf buds.  Cool temps of 50 degrees or below are important for setting buds. So let it stay outdoors in the fall until the temperatures are close to freezing. Then bring it indoors and put in a sunny window.

This is a lot of work and even an occasional lapse in care can cause it to whither and dry up or to lose its flower buds. That is why most folks, discard their Azaleas after they bloom.

Good luck and please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions. If you would like to e-mail me some photos, I may be able to provide some additional insights.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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