The Azalea had two branches semi-broke. The woody center is severely broken (see image below). However, there is 1/2 to 1/3 healthy green/red skin still attached.

I do not have any grafting tapes, etc. I know many plants can expand their skin to recover. I let it stay like this. I removed all the flowers and buds from the two branches.

I would like to know if the branches may survive. What I can do to maximize the possibility of survival of the two branches. I actually like the falling shape of the two branches now.

Azaleas have dormant growth buds all up and down their stems so the location of the cut isn't critical to their regrowth, and healthy plants do respond well to hard pruning.

However, if you remember, this is a small indoor plants. By doing the cut, it is very close to "cut back to the ground level". I am concerned that it may take several years before retaining of the shape of the plant. I feel Azaleas are not speedy growers.

From my previous interactions with you, I am not sure if you are giving me sincer advice.

If I cut the whole plant back, how long does it take to reach 1' under idea temperature and light?

Back in the winter, the lawn mow-er rolled right over a little rooted azalea cutting about 6 inches high, leaving tiny stubs of about an inch or so. Already it has green leaves and is growing. Azaleas that are cut back will usually quickly recover to the size they were before if the roots are not harmed and you don't manipulate their growing conditions too drastically.

Do you agree that pruning stimulates growth hormones?

Nell

There is a hormone produced by leaf buds which inhibits development of dormant buds along the stems. Removing those upper leaf buds/leaves along with their inhibiting hormone allows for emergence of dormant lower growth. So in that way pruning does stimulate new growth.