Spring has arrived. The Azaleas are flowering. Great views in the garden. But.. A moment will come when the first flowers start to whilt. It is time to consider removing the azalea flowers.
If you allow azaleas to set seed you are allowing the tree to make a big investment. Producing seeds takes a lot of energy of the tree, which effectively reduces the development of the tree. After all, the energy taken to produce seed is not being put into producing branches and leaves. This is why I pluck the flowers from the tree at the end of the flowing period.
When removing flowers it is important to not only remove the colored flower petals. If you only remove the petals, you leave the part of the flower that produces the seed, the receptacle. As such, it is important to take the whole flower away. The green bracts however can remain on the plant.
