Question
When is the best time to prune azaleas? Is that also a good time to root the cuttings? Any instructions will be very helpful.
Thank You

Answer
Hello Betty

The best time to prune azaleas is directly after they have finished flowering, by cutting back to a healthy bud.  You can prune out dead or damaged stems in early spring.

The best time to take cuttings is in late summer - August is best.  The cuttings you take are called 'semi-ripe'.  That means that they are firm, but not woody yet.

Collect 3" cuttings (place them in a plastic bag so that they don't dry out).  

When you have enough cuttings and are ready to pot them up, cut across the stems just beneath a leaf joint using a clean, sharp garden knife and then remove all but the top 3 or 4 leafs.  

Fill a pot with ericaceous (lime-free) compost and push the cuttings around the edge of the pot -make sure they don't touch each other.  

Water them in and place a clear plastic bag over the pot and tie it in place so it doesn't slip down and rest on the cuttings. You shouldn't need to water them again, but if they do seem to be drying out, fill a tray with water and stand the pot(s) in it for 10-15 minutes, then set them aside so that any excess water drains away.  

Keep the pots inside in good light, but out of direct sunlight.  

Once you see new growth at the tips you can replant each cutting into its own pot and let it grow on until it is big enough to plant in your garden.