Q&A for How to Prune Azaleas

They are a great way to naturally improve the acidity of the soil for plants that like acidic soil.

Trimming azaleas to the ground can kill the plant. It is better to cut one main branch to 6 inches above the ground and cut the remaining branches to about 2 feet in length.

The best time to prune is as the flowers discolor and shrivel. Trimming them at this time will ensure they continue to blossom. If you're cutting them at other times, you can cut the flower buds which will stop the plant from blooming.

In order to improve flowering, deadheading is helpful. It also helps prevent disease and helps make the flower look neater.

The rule of thumb is to wait approximately 3-4 weeks after flowering before you prune. Just be sure to complete all pruning before the mid-fall.

Take a cutting and then get a gallon freezer bag. Put some good planting soil in it, about 3 inches. Put some rooting hormone powder on the part of the cutting where the roots will form and put it into the soil. Lightly wet the soil and then blow up the freezer bag and zip it. Place it in a area where it will get light (but not direct light) in your garden and watch it sprout. You will see the roots as they come to the edge of the bag. When properly rooted you can remove it and place it in the ground. You can root almost anything using this method.

If you are pruning them more than a few weeks after they would have bloomed, you might be cutting the buds off. A lack of blooms could also be due to too little sunlight, improper watering, using fertilizers high in nitrogen, and pest damage.

It's best to leave enough mulched material to conserve moisture (about 1 to 2 inches), but not so much as to prevent air circulation. Also, be sure to remove any leaves caught in the center base to allow for circulation. Small, outer branches that become covered with mulch could generate a new plant.

It's not a good idea. Small bushes become large bushes within time. It will crowd the roots and the plants will be fighting for water and food.

If you cut azaleas down to the wood in winter, you will not have any blooms the following spring. The best time to prune azaleas is right after they finish blooming.

When learning how to prune azaleas, only use pruning shears to trim them. Electric hedge clippers will cause your azaleas to grow branches that are small and twiggy and not very attractive.

Yes, use pruning shears (only) that have been cleaned with bleach to prevent diseases.

You can prune three weeks after they bloom. Do not prune in July, or you will not have any blooms for next spring.

Spray with diluted grapefruit seed oil in water. This is good for molds on other plants, too; also aphids on roses. This solution will not harm most flowers, the soil, fish downstream, animals, or humans. Tried and tested.