Azalea help

[Jade]

I couldn't resist buying myself a beautiful azalea plant yesterday. Trouble is...I don't know how to keep it happy. If anyone out there has experience with azaleas PLEASE send me some advice. Thanks.

[DebbieC]

They like bright light to partial shade, cool, humid, and airy. Water freely in summer with soft water and fertilize once a week with azalea food(miracid?) In winter keep a little direr but definately requires a cool room. Good luck.

[sunkeeper]

I take it that it is a houseplant azalea. There is a perennial form also.

[Jade]

It is an indoor plant. Hmm, how to find a bright but cool room in the summer? Maybe I should have researched it first!

[sunkeeper]

Hi Jade, They prefer high light without direct sun. Azaleas prefer to be consistently moist. They are acid lovers, so what you can do is slightly acidify by adding l tbsp of vinegar to a gallon of water. They also like high humidity. You can put a tray under it with some water. Also when they are not in bloom you can mist.
Purchase miracid at half strength then let the plant rest without feeding for a month or two in mid summer.
Provide a well drained peat based potting soil.

[Jade]

Sounds alot like the requirements for gardenias, which I absolutely love, but have never had huge succes with. In Calgary - we "ain't got humidity". Maybe I'll try it in the bathroom wher there is lots of light from a skylight.

[sunkeeper]

Hi Jade, That would be a nice place for it! It would definitely get humidity there.