Rooting of azalea shoot cuttings depending on the degree of lignification

Relationship between the degree of cutting lignification and rooting ability was studied. Anatomical changes in cuttings were observed, too. The study involved azalea hybrids from groups: Gent, Rustica Flore Pleno, Occidentale and Knap Hill, which can be propagated vegetatively by shoot cuttings. The cuttings were apical parts of shoots, 7-10 cm long. They were collected at various stages of lignification. Rooting was performed in a greenhouse with controlled temperature of the rooting bed. Only the penetrating observation of mother plants allows to determine the best period of taking the cuttings. The cuttings were treated with a growth regulator, 0.5% IBA (indolebutyric acid), combined with Captan in talcum powder. Sand and peat (1:2) were used as a medium for rooting.