I've collected azalea seed last fall and have it stored in my fridge. All sites say you must start it indoors covered with plastic in peat moss then transplant outside after frost. Why can't I sow seeds after frost date in azalea soil outside?

Your seedlings will have a lot better chance of survival if you keep them protected and watered indoors for a month or so while they are still tiny. They're not exposed to all the whims of the weather like drying winds, heavy rain, too hot days, too cold nights etc. not to mention birds, animals, and other things that can kill a tiny seedling. Put them out in the shade when they're big enough to hold their own in the wild.

There's a reason why you don't see many, if any . . seedlings under your azalea bushes. Some things germinate a high enough percentage of their viable seeds so that they survive, and are known to "self sow". Azaleas? Nuh uh!

dyzzypyxxy said: Your seedlings will have a lot better chance of survival if you keep them protected and watered indoors for a month or so while they are still tiny. They're not exposed to all the whims of the weather like drying winds, heavy rain, too hot days, too cold nights etc. not to mention birds, animals, and other things that can kill a tiny seedling. Put them out in the shade when they're big enough to hold their own in the wild.

There's a reason why you don't see many, if any . . seedlings under your azalea bushes. Some things germinate a high enough percentage of their viable seeds so that they survive, and are known to "self sow". Azaleas? Nuh uh!

So germination rate is low and requires high humidity then. Ok so if I start indoors can I use azalea soil mix and perlite? When do I start to uncover seedlings?

I would use straight peat, myself. There will be less fungal problems. Your azalea seeds should be super tiny, and if you get them to sprout, you'll see how super tiny the seedlings are. Then you'll understand why they are not planted directly outside.

Leftwood said:I would use straight peat, myself. There will be less fungal problems. Your azalea seeds should be super tiny, and if you get them to sprout, you'll see how super tiny the seedlings are. Then you'll understand why they are not planted directly outside.

I've got mine setup now hopefully they do well!

I wouldn't say tiny makes them vulnerable lots of plants start out Itsy bitsy, it's the need for acidic soil and the right humidity and water combo that makes growing outside at first hard, once they get 4-6 true leaves they grow good outside.

Usually, azaleas and rhododendrons stay itsy bitsy for quite a while, even with several true leaves.
You're right, all plants start out iitsy bitsy, but are usually more vigorous from the start.

When do I uncover them, I have plastic wrap over them which is keeping the soil very moist and condensation overhead.

I'm already getting some germinating!

My seedlings have 4 true leaves, when and how do I fertilize?

A very weak soluble fertilizer would be my first try. Mix at about 1/4 the strength of what it says on the package. Water with that once a week and watch for any sign of burning along the edges of the leaves. As they get bigger, you could increase the strength of the fert solution gradually until fall when they will stop growing, I would think.

Do you have them planted outside in the ground yet, or still in pots?

dyzzypyxxy said:A very weak soluble fertilizer would be my first try. Mix at about 1/4 the strength of what it says on the package. Water with that once a week and watch for any sign of burning along the edges of the leaves. As they get bigger, you could increase the strength of the fert solution gradually until fall when they will stop growing, I would think.

Do you have them planted outside in the ground yet, or still in pots?

I have them in a tiny pot I bring them outside during the day and in at night.

I wouldn't keep them all in one pot too long. They will twine their roots together and be very hard to separate.

When you pot up, be sure to check if the soil you use already has fertilizer in it. If it does, you won't need to add any soluble fert for a while.

I would think your nights are warm enough by now to leave the babies outside? Above about 50ish at night should be fine.

Ok I'll leave them out, but I'll bring in if we expect rain they are still tiny.