Azalea Cuttings
As mentioned, even cuttings without leaves on the stem can be rooted. To facilitate this you should strip the outer bark layer on each side of the cutting and at least penetrate through to the cambium layer.
Cambium is the layer of stem cells found between the wood and the bark.
To remove the bark layer without damaging the cutting, pinch it between the nails of your thumb and forefinger. Using your other hand, pull the cutting with slight pressure. The nails should strip the outer bark layer away.
For tougher bark, you can also use a knife or garden shears and make a shallow scraping cut along the length of the cutting. This will open up the meristem tissue on the stem and will increase chance of success.
Rooting Hormones
A rooting hormone is recommended especially for the dormant midwinter cuttings. Rooting hormones are available from garden centers or online, but you can even buy them at home improvement centers. They are either available as a powder, in various strength, or as a liquid. I prefer liquids because you can mix your own strength. For cuttings taken during winter use a stronger concentration than for semi-hardwood cuttings taken in June. A quick dip is usually all you have to do. If using powders make sure you shake off any excess before striking.
Striking the Cutting.
Professional propagators refer to the procedure of placing the cutting into soil for rooting as "striking". Therefore, a striking mixture is simply a suitable well draining soil-less mixture which is capable of maintaining high humidity around the roots.
A good striking mixture can be made by combining perlite with peatmoss sphagnum or potting soil. Since Azaleas prefer relatively acidic soils, with a pH value between 5.0-5.5, you usually get best results by mixing 50% perlite, 25% peatmoss sphagnum, and 25% potting soil. A bag of seed starting mixture can also be used.
The cutting should be placed in pots or flats filled with slightly damp mixture. This will provide for very good drainage while still retaining moisture around the cutting.
Make a small hole with a pencil and position the cutting so that the stem is completely covered but without the leaves actually touching the mixture. Use your fingers to gently firm the mixture around the base of the cutting.
I prefer to put the pot back into a pan to wick up water from below after all cuttings have been
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