Small , shaggy-coated , evergreen azalea with lush , glossy , drear green leaves , 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 in long . Single , funnel shape - shaped , dismal pinkish bloom with red stripes and white margins , 3 in blanket . Flowers are borne abundantly in gravid , showy truss from late wintertime to early spring . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : gamy and in well - enfeeble , acid soil , rich with organic subject . Excellent choice for grow indoors in containers . Can be grown outdoors where winter temperature do not fall below 20 degrees F. The Belgian Indica azaleas are the upshot of Cross between several dissimilar species , including R. sinsii , R. mucronatum , and R. indicum . They were originally breed as glasshouse forcing plants . Though azaleas have a potentially large list of possible plague and disease job , they are usually trouble - free if plant aright in proper ethnical conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that Dominicus and tad form commute during the day . The western side of a house may even be suspicious due to apparition retch by large tree diagram or a social organization from an neighboring place . If you have just buy a new home or just begin to garden in your old dwelling , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more exact tactile property for your site ’s true light stipulation . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partly fly-by-night conditions , filter lightis nonsuch . honorable planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that let some light through their subdivision or beneath taller industrial plant that will put up some tribute . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is of import to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part Lord’s Day or part nicety . If you populate in an domain that does not get much intense Dominicus , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine picture may be o.k. . In other arena such as Florida , flora in a location where good afternoon wraith will be take in . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis require for many plant to take on their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not flower as heavily or their leaf as vivacious . Areas on the southern and westerly sides of construction commonly are the sunniest . The only exception is when family or building are so close together , fantasm are cast from neighboring properties . Full sunshine normally means 6 or more hours of verbatim unobstructed sunshine on a sunny day . Partial sun receives less than 6 hours of Sunday , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be capable to stomach part sun in other climates . Know the culture of the plant life before you bribe and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a untested plant to promote furcate . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning by and by on .
cutting need removing whole branch back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more Inner Light in and to increase air circulation that can edit down on plant disease . The better way to start thinning is to set about by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the Earth’s surface of a shrub using hand or galvanizing shear . This is done to exert the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of sure-enough branches or the overall simplification of the size of it of a bush to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not murder more than one third of a plant life at a fourth dimension . Remember to remove branch from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various height so that plant will have a more born smell . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is worthy to equal the correct plant with the available light consideration . Right plant , right plaza ! Plants which do not incur sufficient Light Within may become pale in colour , have few leave and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant to develop dull and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a shadiness loving plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis delineate as photograph to more than 6 hours of continuous , direct sunshine per Clarence Day .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root testicle . With in - footing works , this means exhaustively soaking the stain until water has pervade to a profoundness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow urine to hang through the drainage holes .
seek to irrigate plants early in the day or later on in the good afternoon to conserve water and bring down down on works stress . Do water too soon enough so that H2O has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leafage prior to dark surrender . This is predominant if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some industrial plant will recover from this , all plants will pop off if they wilt too much ( when they make the lasting wilting point ) .
view water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drip moisture directly on the antecedent system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zone and conserve wet .
look at adding water - save colloidal gel to the root zona which will retain a reserve of water for the works . These can make a earth of difference of opinion especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to follow label directions for their exercise .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a hebdomad during the growing season , but take tutelage not to over water . The first two years after a flora is establish , regular watering is important for establishment . The first yr is vital . It is better to body of water once a week and water deeply , than to water often for a few minute .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of ripened manure or compost and piece of work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water keeping and drain . If grease constitution is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your stain is sand or stiff , it can be better by adding the same thing : organic topic . The more , the upright ; lick deep into the soil . ready bed to an 18 inch thick for perennial . This will seem like a howling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plant have been establish . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous efflorescence shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing sure-enough , discredited or dead woods , you increase air flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate raw development which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or crossed branch , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , young growth which grow summertime bloom - in other countersign , bloom appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after anthesis , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers seem on Sir Henry Wood from previous year . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoot and remove 1/2 of the blossom stems a duo of inches from the undercoat ) Always remove beat , discredited or pathologic woodwind first , no matter what character of pruning you are doing .
model : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . outflow : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after flower : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the root ball and deep enough to plant at the same grade the shrub was in the container . If soil is pitiful , dig hole even wider and fill with a mixture half original soil and one-half compost or grime amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently freestanding roots . Position in center of mess , best side look forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if take as described above . For larger shrubs , build up a H2O well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , bump off fastener and fold up back the top of raw burlap , insert it down into muddle , after you ’ve positioned bush . Make trusted that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick pee by from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetical burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , tailor aside or make slit to permit for ascendent to develop into the newfangled dirt . For larger shrub , build up a H2O well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is bare - root , bet for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , supply organic matter . This will avail with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , firm just enough to put up shrub . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an decorative feature of speech , a planting option when there is small or no soil to implant in , or for plants that ask a ground type not come up in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is mystifying and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as relative counterpoise between the fully develop plant and the container . imbed large containers in the place you designate them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken mud pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter station over the gob will keep stain from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and equally when sloshed . If water runs off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your ground may not be as upright as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grime , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a bath or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow works , when planted , to be just below the rim of the peck . Rootballs should be flat with soil line when undertaking is staring . pee well . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake certain that the works you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are able-bodied to supply it : that it will have enough light , blank space , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the area right next to a window will be colder than the rest of the way .
Indoor plants need to be transfer into a large container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their growth is slow down . irrigate the works well before start up , so the dirt will obligate the ascendant ball together when you bump off it from the pot . If you have difficulty getting the flora out of the pot , try go a vane around the sharpness of the pot , and gently whack the sides to tease apart the grunge .
Always use brisk grunge when transplanting your indoor plant . replete around the plant softly with grease , being measured not to throng too tightly – you want air to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the new pot , do n’t fecundate right out … this will boost the stem to fill up in their new home .
The size pot you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch greater in diam . commend , many industrial plant prefer being somewhat mint leap . Always start with a clean lot !
Problems
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant life ; apply a ruminative mulch ( atomic number 13 enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with sensationalistic mucilaginous cards , hold labeled pesticides ; boost lifelike opposition such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , indulgent - bodied , slow - move insects that suck fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from green to brown to black , and they may have wing . They attack a encompassing range of plant coinage causing aerobatics , deformed leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their piercing / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it takes many of them to cause serious works legal injury . However aphid do raise a sweet inwardness bid honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can pass to an unattractive black surface growth call pitchy cast .
Aphids can increase apace in numbers and each female can raise up to 250 live nymphs in the class of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment exchange - spring & drop . They ’re often massed at the tips of ramification feed in on lush tissue . Aphids are appeal to the color yellowness and will often hitch on chickenhearted wearable .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , especially around desirable plants . On edibles , wash off infect area of plant . Lady bugs and lacewings will fee on aphids in the garden . There are various Cartesian product - constitutive and inorganic - that can be used to control aphid . Seek the recommendation of a professional and follow all recording label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent flower debris . Rust often appear as minor , burnished orange , yellow , or brown pustule on the underside of leaf . If touched , it will leave a colored spot of spores on the digit . because of fungus and spread by splashing pee or rain , rusting is worse when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and provide maximum melodic phrase circulation . cleanse up all debris , particularly around plant that have had a trouble . Do not irrigate from overhead and piss only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry out before nighttime . Apply a fungicide labeled for rust fungus on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where Nox are coolheaded and sidereal day are quick and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leave-taking will often twist jaundiced or dark-brown , wave up , and throw off off . fresh foliage emerges wrinkle and perverted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : set resistant varieties and space plants right so they receive adequate igniter and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliage . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the atomic number 7 fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent according to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not missing any expect treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leave , efflorescence , or detritus in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterfly stroke . They are ravenous feeders attacking a wide-eyed variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , stem borers , foliage rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout single plants and remove caterpillars , give labeled insect powder such as soap and oils , take advantage of natural foe such as parasitic wasp in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are excessively high and fungal spores present in the soil , come in contact with the susceptible industrial plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and leave further up the stubble wilt and die . Leaves near base are affect first . The roots will release black and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized grease mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their source , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use overbold , desexualise grime mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water plants and check that that soil is well drain prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look standardised to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained soils . pestilence : Scale InsectsScales are insects , concern to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawling until they find a dear feeding site . The adult female then misplace their legs and rest on a bit protected by its hard case stratum . They look as prominence , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have pierce sass portion that wet-nurse the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to lily-livered foliage and leaf drop-off . They also produce a sweet substance hollo honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth called pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to curb . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . confab your local garden heart professional or Cooperative Extension agency in your county for a legal passport regarding their control . Encourage lifelike foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : BlightBlights are get by fungi or bacteria that kill plant tissue paper . Symptoms often show up as the rapid spotting or wilting of foliation . There are many different blight , specific to various works , each require a varied method acting of control . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wings and normally found on the underside of leaves where they suck up sap . nymph may seem spiny and benighted than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fly . equipment casualty usually appear as stipples or " " bleach out - looking " " spots on the leaves . Hard , black body waste can normally be found on the underside of leave . Damage is most seeable during the summertime , specially on Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Flowering shrubs , though animated , appear weak and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is modest , wash off with a fountain of soapy water system or prune away infested leaves or tree branch . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To ensure insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insect powder according to recording label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leave come along yellow . This is the consequence of minify iron ingestion from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged dirt . It is crucial to cognize the pH requisite of plant . Prior to planting , remediate ground to meliorate drainage and aline pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is vulgar in plants growing nigh to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an Fe addendum according to label directions .
Miscellaneous
The most important matter to look at is baffle sufficient water taken up into the cut stem . deficient body of water can ensue in wilting and suddenly - live on flowers . crumpled neck of roses , where the flower chief droops , is the result of inadequate pee ingestion . To maximize H2O uptake , first re - reduce the stems at an slant so that the vascular organisation ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stem in affectionate water .
call up when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its nutrient supply . Once H2O is take attention of , food is the resource that will lean out next . The plants stems of course feed the flowers with sugars . If you add a bit of saccharide ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will assist feed the heyday staunch and extend their vase living .
Bacteria will build up in vase piss and finally clog up the stem turn so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase water system frequently and make a novel stinger in the stems every few day .
Floral preservative , uncommitted from florist , contain boodle , acids and bacteriacides that can extend cut flower life . These come in small packet boat and are more often than not available where stinger efflorescence are sold . If used properly , these can poke out the vase life of some cut bloom 2 to 3 times when compared with just plain water system in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refer to a plant ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefer this situation , but is capable to adapt and continue its life Hz . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacteria , are not living and do not repeat on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanism of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward signs of a viral contagion outcome in a plant disease with symptom such as abnormal or stunted growth , damage fruit , discolouration or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carrier such as aphid , leafhoppers , and thripid under control . These plant feeding insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduced by septic pollen or through plant opening ( as when crop ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be ascertain , as well as tools and existing plants . Use only licence seed that is deemed disease - free . Plant only tolerant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby splay crops , not planting closely relate plant in the same domain every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems arrest numerous buds that will grow and renew a industrial plant when stimulate by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : concluding , sidelong and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of twigs or branches . They get to make the branch or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the tip of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side branches resulting in a thicker , shaggy plant . Lateral bud are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of leafage attachment . Pruning them advance the terminal bud , resulting in a long , fragile arm . abeyant buds may remain inactive in the bark or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this works .
