Things You'll Need:
- Azalea cuttings
- Mixture of 50 percent peat moss and 50 percent horticultural perlite or vermiculite
- Flats
- Clear polyurethane bags
- Mixture of 60 percent peat moss and 40 percent perlite
- Azalea food
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Step 1
Take cuttings from existing plants from mid-July to mid-September. Make the cuttings in the morning when the plants have the most moisture.
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Step 2
Take the cutting from a pliable shoot that has mature leaves. Bend the shoot between your fingers and look for it to bounce back. If the shoot breaks, it is too young or too old.
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Step 3
Make the cut 3 to 6 inches long. Pull off any blossoms and leave only one set of leaves at the top of the shoot.
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Step 4
Dip the end of the shoot in rooting hormone powder. Shake off the excess powder. Use an antifungicide if desired.
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Step 5
Place the cuttings in a flat planter that contains 4 inches of 50 percent peat moss and 50 percent horticultural perlite or vermiculite. Choose a pot that drains well. Place a tent of clear polyurethane plastic over the flat, making sure that no plastic touches the cutting.
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Step 6
Place the flat in a shaded greenhouse or in a window sill. Do not place the plant in direct sunlight.
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Step 7
Water the plant with room temperature water. Rotate the flat twice a week so that the light is evenly distributed. The shoot should grow in about 6 weeks.
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Step 8
Transplant the rooted azalea to flats that have a mixture of 60 percent peat moss and 40 percent perlite. Fertilize the plant one time a month with azalea flower food.
