Sweetie came home last night with his arms full of blossoms. This is an Azalea plant. I just love the colors. The instructions says best to keep at a cool temperature 65-70F. In our west Texas environment, that is going to be difficult. The greenhouse, even with the windows open, has gotten warmer than that on sunny days. I would love to plant it out in the garden to get it to grow big, but am afraid that I will lose it . A large container right now will be what I choose. Have any of you dealt with Azaleas before? What are your suggestions? I have already matched my embroidery floss to it ......... (inspiration for a later embroidery project..) I had a beautiful primrose in early February and already it is looking sad from the warm weather we are getting. Any information any of you have , would be great!Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Azalea
Sweetie came home last night with his arms full of blossoms. This is an Azalea plant. I just love the colors. The instructions says best to keep at a cool temperature 65-70F. In our west Texas environment, that is going to be difficult. The greenhouse, even with the windows open, has gotten warmer than that on sunny days. I would love to plant it out in the garden to get it to grow big, but am afraid that I will lose it . A large container right now will be what I choose. Have any of you dealt with Azaleas before? What are your suggestions? I have already matched my embroidery floss to it ......... (inspiration for a later embroidery project..) I had a beautiful primrose in early February and already it is looking sad from the warm weather we are getting. Any information any of you have , would be great!
I have no advice...i am sorry. I do try gardening and am trying to get better...but i do not yet have a green thumb! LOL Best of luck with it!!! It is beautiful!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog! i really appreciate it! :)
These are beautiful, Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteHow sweet, he was to bring them home to you!
We have about 5(?) in our front yard -- it gets really hot, here, as well. We have ours planted under a pine tree and they like acidic soil. That's all I know.
We've been really blessed, as they're still kicking!
Many Blessings, with yours, as well!
Julie
Oh, they are so pretty, Kathleen. My Mother used to have a bunch of them...she kept them around the front porch where they weren't in the sun very much, but other than that, I don't know anything else about them. Do you have any shady places around your house?
ReplyDeleteI know you'll do fine with them!
Julie is right about the acidic soil. Probably shameful to admit I am a "treat azaleas as cut flowers" kind of gal - I do the same with poinsettias and a few other "gift" flowers - my life is short and my tolerance for babying a plant not strong. But if you do have a pine tree it'll be more acidic (you can buy acid loving plant food also). It is so pretty - your fella did well!
ReplyDeleteKathleen, what a nice surprise from your hubby. It sure is a lovely color. I have several Azaleas and they do fairly well...but I do feed them a couple times a year. It is very hot here in the valley so they do better in partial shade and keep then from drying out. I hope your plant does well, I know it will bring you lots of enjoyment. Happy May Day..hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteThank you all, such good advice! Where would I be without you? {: I do have several flower beds around the house and grounds and some of them are mostly shade. So I will give it a try in one of those. Blessings, Kathleen
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen, your Azaleas are beautiful! Azaleas do need very acidic soil. If they don't get it, they won't blossom. You can make acidic soil in your yard, ie. decayed pine needles, decayed sawdust from oak, cypress or hemlock trees. They want soil that holds moisture but has a good drainage. They also need filtered sunlight. I read that if they are in a very shady area, they won't survive over winter. So pick a spot in your yard that has some sunlight and are protected from the wind! Hope that helps you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your sweet words on my flower bed blog.
Love, Ann
What a darling to bring you those lovely flowers! Blossoms of love!
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about them except that my mother-in-law has time everywhere and they just thrive in the West Tennessee climate. I hope yours will fare as well.
Smiles,
Lea