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Here is an article that goes into the details of transplanting azalea. At the bottom of the article is a link to "Planting" which is also helpful.
https://www.rhododendron.org/transplant.htm

I see one photo of what appears to be a bacterial infection. I would also check the pH of the soil in that area.

You can get it, roughly, neutral and can kill off the infection with an easy solution: Dolomitic lime and wettable sulfur will do just this. It will kill the infection, as well as stabilize the pH to something very close to neutral so that you can work from there.

In order for you to be able to leave your leaves in the soil with the plant would be to use mycorrhizae to break down organic material. This beneficial fungus will help unlock those nutrients to be available to the plant while keeping away fungus that would be harmful to your plant. Leaving dead foliage without this beneficial fungus will, more than likely cause harm to your plant.

Heavy pruning with hedge shears will cause the loss of flowering and the detract from the natural form and beauty of the plants. Best to do light pruning, removal of any dead branches, light thinning and shaping. Normally if azaleas are planted with the right spacing and in a planting bed with enough space to grow naturally, they don't need much pruning.

Water appropriately, not too much or too little. Azaleas are susceptible to root rot if over-watered.
Fertilize with a specific azalea, rhododendron camelia ferilizer.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/pruning-azaleas.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/azaleas-noteworthy-shrubs-for-any-garden.htm

https://www.domyown.com/dr-earth-acid-lovers-rhododendron-azalea-camellia-fertilizer-p-9490.html

Well, it is both good and bad and there is nothing you can do. Weather quirks trigger untimely blooms occasionally and I have seen azalea that bloom sporadically all summer. However, the more it blooms now, the less it will bloom in spring. Next year's buds have already formed and there isn't enough time left in the growing season in zone 6 to make more buds.