I live in Houston, TX Zone 9-10
There are many options, but should you choose an oil based product, make sure to apply in early morning, or on a cloudy day, though your Azaleas should not be in full sun, anyway.
The best way is to introduce their, natural, predators.
Here is an article that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/what-are-lace-bugs.htm
We moved into a house last fall...I did notice these nice shrubs, and thought they were azaleas, but they never bloomed in the spring..well, NOW they are blooming! (late August) I did read that the reason is incorrect pruning. Will they always bloom this time of year, or can I prune them the CORRECT way to have them bloom in the spring? I really don't mind them blooming now if that's the case. Thank you for your help!
Your azalea is probably a late-season variety. There are varieties that bloom in early spring, those that bloom in summer and some that bloom in late summer, so this may not be a pruning issue at all.
Is it possible it is not an azalea? Another late summer bloomer is glossy abelia, which is a broadleaf evergreen in zones 6 and up.
Here's what you need to know about pruning azaleas:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/pruning-azaleas.htm
It has been several growing season since I planted red and white azaleas in groups of three each and beside each other. The reds are not blooming. All azaleas look fine, have no leaf issues or insect problems. They only get cottonseed meal in Spring. There is no pruning done but all of them get light at night (all night long) from "security" night-time lights. Could this form of light explain why all the reds do not bloom?
According to the article below, night lighting can affect tree dormancy and flower blooms. Most plants need at least 8 hours a day of darkness to grow properly. It's curious, though, that the white bloom. Are the reds closer to the light? That might be a question for your local university extension service.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/design/lighting/are-streetlights-bad-for-plants.htm
My brother cut our like 50 year old azalea down yesterday and I'm livid but how can I start new ones from cuttings? Most of the cuttings are long with just leaves on top and no nodes along stems
These articles will help you to establish cuttings:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/rooting-plant-cuttings.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/cuttings/root-stimulating-hormone.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/cuttings/honey-root-hormone.htm
they prefer morning sun? I have no shade all day in my yard. None
No, you can remove the burlap before planting. And morning sun is fine for azaleas. If you can find an area that's partially shaded by a structure, or eaves or other trees, it will do well.
I live in zone 5 and have tried multiple times to grow an azalea plant to no avail. I plant them in the sun or in the shade and nothing. What am I doing wrong?
Make sure you are buying azaleas that are cold hardy to zone 5. Many are only hardy from zones 6 to 9. Plant your azalea so that the root ball is level with the ground, in acidic soil. Here's an article that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/azaleas-noteworthy-shrubs-for-any-garden.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-5/zone-5-azalea-shrubs.htm
loses most leaves during the fall. I plan to fertilize and follow the advice given here. But am wondering if something else is wrong like bugs eating the roots? Both Azaleas were bought at the same time and are around 3 to 4yrs old. One has deep deep green small leaves and the other has larger light green leaves. My breezeway roughly runs from west to east and they get the morning sun until around noon. The one that drops most of its leaves is the one that has the bigger green leaves. I plan on following the advice from your article about Azalea Fertilizer etc. But I am wondering if maybe there is some kind of bugs or something eating at its roots. I plan to change the soil to the kind that was recommended and see if it helps. That is if it survives the winter. I live in western Washington State if that helps at all. My oriental maple does not do well either. Azaleas are in pots the tree is not. Tree has only grown maybe a foot in ten yrs!
I'm wondering if perhaps they are two different varieties. Some azaleas are deciduous and naturally drop their leaves in the fall. Here's an article with ideas about what may be happening with your plant:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/azalea/common-azalea-problems.htm
Is that a Japanese maple? I would have the soil tested for a deficiency. Also, if the soil is clayey or compacted, it could affect its growth.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/japanese-maple/japanese-maple-feeding.htm