Fashion azalea is a species of azalea native to China. It is a deciduous shrub growing to 1-3 m tall. The leaves are ovate-lanceolate, 2-5 cm long and 1-2 cm broad. The flowers are white or pale pink, 2-5 cm diameter, with five petals.
About soil condition, fashion azalea prefers humus-rich, acidic, well-drained soil. In terms of soil nutrients, it is not too demanding, and any good garden soil with a little added compost will do. However, if the soil is too alkaline, it can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Just like other azaleas, fashion azalea require sun to grow and produce flowers. The amount of sun needed will depend on the variety, but all azaleas need at least four hours of sunlight a day. If you live in an area with hot summers, you'll need to provide some shade for your azalea during the hottest part of the day.
The temperature condition is quite warm in the fashion azalea. The sun is shining and the sky is blue. There is a slight breeze blowing through the air. The warm weather is perfect for spending time outdoors.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 40%. If the relative humidity is too low, the leaves will turn brown and fall off. If the relative humidity is too high, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. The plant needs to be misted regularly to maintain the ideal humidity levels.
About fertilizer, this plant responds best to a light hand. A general-purpose fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 5-10-5 or lower is ideal, and you should only fertilize your azalea once a month at most. If you live in an area with acidic soil, you can also use an azalea fertilizer. In terms of root growth, this plant benefits from being root-bound, so don't worry about planting it too deeply. Just make sure the roots are moist and not sitting in water.
Pruning is an important part of caring for azaleas. Pruning helps to encourage new growth, remove diseased or damaged areas, and shaping the plant. When pruning, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears. Make sure to prune azaleas after they have finished blooming.
Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. Azaleas can be propagated by taking cuttings from an existing plant. The cuttings should be taken from new growth that is about four to six inches long. The cuttings should be placed in a pot filled with a moistened mixture of peat moss and sand. The pot should be placed in a warm, sunny location. After the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted into individual pots filled with potting soil.
Usually, the plant growth rate is typically unimpressive. Many gardeners report that their fashion azaleas only grow a few inches per year. Some types of fashion azaleas, however, can have a more vigorous growth rate. These types are usually grafted onto hardier rootstocks.
Common problems for this kind of plant are that the leaves may turn yellow, the plant may become leggy, and the flowers may be small. These problems are usually caused by too much sun, too little sun, or too much water. If the plant is in too much sun, the leaves will turn yellow and the plant will become leggy. If the plant is in too little sun, the flowers will be small. If the plant is getting too much water, the leaves will curl and the plant will wilt.
Source:
Fact sheet: Fashion Azalea - UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County
Growing Azaleas and Rhododendrons | MU Extension
Fashion - RMIT University
