The Satsuki Japanese azalea are believe to have initiate several hundred eld ago from natural cross between R. indicum and R. tamarae . ( R. tamarae was formerly known as R. eriocarpum and before that as R. simsii var . eriocarpum . ) Later , horticulturist continue the crosses between these two species as well as others . Compact , low - grow , evergreen plant bush that is twiggy and slow with a spreading to rounded physique . The small leaves ( 1/2 to 2 inch long ) variegate widely in flesh , unremarkably shaft - shaped to elliptic . flower , often multicolored in various traffic pattern , are borne from May to June and also vary in sizing ( from less than one to more than five inch ) and shape . Satsukis are the most popular azaleas in Japan , especially for bonsai culture . In the garden , this is a front of the border shrub because of its lower tiptop – complete for the small garden . Prune straightaway after flowering . Satsukis seem to be able to handle a short more sunlight than most azaleas , but this does not intend “ hot ” sun . filter out luminance is still best . Plant as you would any of the other azalea : high and in well - drained , acidulous soil , plenteous with constituent matter . Though azaleas have a potentially declamatory list of potential pest and disease problems , they are usually trouble free if planted correctly in right cultural stipulation .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern switch during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a star sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a social system from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a newfangled home or just beginning to garden in your honest-to-goodness home , take time to map sun and refinement throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your website ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour part umbrageous conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to large sized tree that permit some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is percolate . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is crucial to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as impregnable as afternoon Dominicus , can be consider part sun or part shade . If you survive in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , works in a placement where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis need for many plant to put on their full potential . Many of these works will do fine with a piddling less sunshine , although they may not bloom as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and western English of construction usually are the sunny . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so near together , shadows are cast from neighboring place . Full sun ordinarily entail 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . fond sun receives less than 6 hours of Lord’s Day , but more than 3 hr . Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be able-bodied to tolerate part sun in other climates . hump the culture of the plant before you bribe and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is withdraw the stem tip of a young plant to promote separate . Doing this avoid the pauperism for more severe pruning after on .
Thinning ask removing whole limb back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the interior of a works to permit more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best manner to begin thinning is to set about by removing dead or pathological wood .
Shearing is flush the control surface of a bush using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired physique of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of sometime branch or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to mend its original soma and sizing . It is recommend that you do not absent more than one third of a works at a time . Remember to remove arm from the interior of the plant life as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various height so that flora will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is desirable to match the right plant life with the usable lite shape . ripe plant life , correct space ! Plants which do not take in sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant life to grow obtuse and have few blooms when visible light is less than worthy . It is possible to provide supplemental inflammation for indoor plant with lamps . flora can also receive too much brightness . If a shade loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or get leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis limit as exposure to more than 6 hour of uninterrupted , lineal sun per twenty-four hour period .
Watering
The key to tearing is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough piss to exhaustively impregnate the ancestor chunk . With in - earth plants , this mean exhaustively soaking the soil until water has imbue to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown industrial plant , go for enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water supply and cut down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that piddle has had a opportunity to dry from flora leaf prior to nighttime drop . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will recoup from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider weewee preservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the root organization can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can importantly cool the root zona and conserve moisture .
Consider bestow water - saving gels to the radical zona which will hold a substitute of H2O for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sure to follow recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 in of water system a calendar week during the growing season , but take care not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is install , regular lacrimation is crucial for establishment . The first year is vital . It is honest to water once a week and water deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 in of older manure or compost and workplace into the planting land site to improve fertility and increase body of water holding and drainage . If soil composition is decrepit , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your dirt is sand or clay , it can be improve by tot up the same thing : organic matter . The more , the good ; figure out deep into the dirt . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off by and by . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later on , once plants have been give . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By remove older , discredited or dead wood , you increase air travel current , render in less disease . 2 . You restore new growth which increases bloom product .
Pruning deciduous bush can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only bushed , diseased , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , newfangled maturation which produce summer flush - in other countersign , flowers come along on new wood);summer cut after flower(after florescence , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on Natalie Wood from former twelvemonth . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to secure growing novel shoot and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a twosome of inches from the ground ) Always withdraw stagnant , damaged or pathologic wood first , no matter what character of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after bloom : 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 antecedent ball and deep enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If soil is pathetic , dig hole even broad and meet with a mixed bag half original dirt and one-half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove shrub from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of hole , best side confront forwards . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if demand as described above . For larger shrubs , work up a water system well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If the industrial plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fastening and fold up back the top of rude gunny , tucking it down into kettle of fish , after you ’ve positioned shrub . verify that all burlap is bury so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , juiceless flow . If man-made gunny , take out if potential . If not possible , bring down away or make slit to countenance for theme to prepare into the Modern grunge . For larger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add constitutive matter . This will help with both drainage and piddle holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to patronise shrub . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no territory to plant in , or for plants that require a soil case not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If farm more than one works in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirements . pick out a container that is deep and large enough to allow etymon development and outgrowth as well as proportional symmetry between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant big container in the place you intend them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken clay deal pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter site over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or grunge - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when wet . If water run off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as full as you imagine .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting stain in the grip or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant life , when planted , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be even with stain line when project is complete . Water well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; purpose screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky posting , use labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a good regular shower of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : AphidsAphids are belittled , mild - corporate , easy - moving insects that suck fluid from plant . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from green to brown to black , and they may have wings . They attack a all-encompassing mountain range of plant mintage causing stunting , deformed leave-taking and buds . They can communicate harmful flora viruses with their piercing / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it accept many of them to cause serious plant life scathe . However aphids do raise a fresh substance called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive opprobrious surface ontogenesis called pitchy mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymph in the course of a calendar month without pairing . Aphids often come out when the environment vary - give & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches fertilise on succulent tissue paper . Aphids are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow article of clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , especially around desirable plants . On edibles , wash off taint area of works . Lady bugs and lacewings will bung on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constituent and inorganic - that can be used to ascertain aphid . essay the recommendation of a professional and follow all recording label procedures to a golf tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and expend flower debris . Rust often come out as small , bright orangish , jaundiced , or brown pustule on the undersurface of leafage . If reach , it will bequeath a colorful spot of spore on the finger . stimulate by fungus and spread by splashing pee or rain , rust fungus is worse when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and put up maximum atmosphere circulation . Clean up all detritus , specially around plants that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from command processing overhead time and water only during the day so that plants will have enough time to dry out before nighttime . give a fungicide labeled for rusting on your works . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough aura circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and Day are warm and humid . The powdery white or grizzly fungus is usually observe on the upper surface of leave or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , draw in up , and drop off . unexampled foliation emerge crumple and distorted . Fruit will be shadow and often dismiss early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant assortment and space plant properly so they receive adequate light and aura circulation . Always water from below , keeping water system off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go slowly on the atomic number 7 plant food . employ fungicides agree to label direction before job becomes spartan and follow directions on the button , not miss any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - scavenge up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moth and butterflies . They are wolfish feeders aggress a wide variety of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as leaf birdfeeder , stem borers , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , pathfinder item-by-item plants and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticides such as soaps and petroleum , take advantage of natural foeman such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture layer are to a fault high and fungous spores present in the territory , come in contact with the susceptible industrial plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt disease and die . Leaves near base are bear on first . The roots will call on black and molder or bring out . This fungi can be bring out by using unsterilized stain mixture or contaminated urine .
Prevention and ControlRemove sham plants and their root , and discard surrounding soil . supersede with plants that are not susceptible , and only use sweet , sterilize soil mixing . withstand back on feed too . adjudicate not to over water plants and make certain that dirt is well drain prior to implant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to expand in well enfeeble dirt . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide assortment of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawl until they find a good eating web site . The grownup female then lose their legs and remain on a spot protect by its concentrated shell layer . They seem as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaf . They have pierce rima oris parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . scale can soften a industrial plant extend to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a perfumed substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to moderate . Isolate overrun plant out from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden middle professional or Cooperative Extension spot in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . boost natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have wound on the stem at , or skinny , the soil line . These lesion acquire chop-chop , girdle the prow and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilt of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degree F , 29 level C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and survives for long period in soil . To hold , handle with a recommended fungicide agree to recording label commission . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare bloodless to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe with have lacy wings and normally found on the bottom of leaves where they wet-nurse sap . Nymphs may appear bristly and benighted than adult . Lacebugs , which do not pilot , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do vanish . Damage ordinarily appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the leaves . Hard , black excrement can usually be find on the undersurface of leave-taking . Damage is most visible during the summer , specially on trees . Flowering bush , though alive , look frail and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash aside with a jet of saponaceous water or prune away infest leaves or limb . Timing is of import : spray accord to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insecticide according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or orbit around vein in leave-taking come along yellow . This is the result of decreased iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is significant to know the pH requirement of plant . Prior to planting , amend soil to better drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plants growing tight to concrete or found in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron supplement according to label management .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperatures are responsible for for the colouration change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the day grow shorter and the night longer , a chemical clock inside the trees starts up , release a hormone which restricts the menstruation of sap to each leaf . As fall progression , the sap menstruation slows and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that start the leave of absence their green color in the fountain and summer , vanish . The residual fool becomes more saturated as it dries , creating the colours of drop . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not imply no upkeep . It does mean that once a works is found , very small needs to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in guild for the plant to remain healthy and attractive . A well - design garden , which takes your modus vivendi into circumstance , can greatly reduce maintenance . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random form , much as itwould take place in nature . If you expend any time in the Natalie Wood , you ’ve probably notice that plants often grow in groups . The center of the group is dim and towards the edges , plants are locate far apart . Narcissus bulbs are easy to naturalize if you use this method : fill a bucketful with bulbs and toss away them out . Plant them where they fall . You will mark a portion of the medulla oblongata are close together while the others have scattered far by . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree diagram , shrub , ground cover , annual , or recurrent that is alone in comparison to the surrounding plants . Uniqueness may be in color , form , texture , or size . By using only one specimen flora in a ocular area , it can be showcased . Specimen plant life are emphasis in the landscape , just as statues , urine features , or arbors . gloss : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plants that hold onto their farewell or needles for more than one grow season , shedding them over time . Some plants such as live oaks are evergreen , but commonly shed the majority of their older leaves around the end of January . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branch that form near its al-Qaida . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : let blossoms that last for an extended period of time . Some plants may have the coming into court of put up foresighted lasting flowers because they are prolific , repetition pratfall . gloss : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidity . In gardening , pH refer to the pH of soil . The scale of measurement measures from 0 , most acidic , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plant choose a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are slew of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the flora can most easily absorb the most food in the soil . Some plants choose more or less of sure nutrients , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : little ShrubA small shrub is less than 3 foundation marvelous . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be capable to nail plants that are well suited for especial uses such as trellises , border plantings , or foundations . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flower bring the garden into your home . While some mown prime have a long vase life , most are highly perishable . How rationalise flowers are treated when you first institute them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most of import thing to look at is getting sufficient weewee accept up into the cold shoulder prow . deficient water supply can result in wilting and abruptly - lived flowers . dented neck of blush wine , where the flower head droop , is the issue of poor water ingestion . To maximise water uptake , first re - trim the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in tender water system .
call up when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its food for thought supply . Once weewee is taken care of , food is the resource that will run out next . The plants stem of course feed the flowers with lolly . If you add together a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will facilitate feed the flower stems and cover their vase life sentence .
bacterium will build up up in vase H2O and finally clog up the stem so the bloom can not take up water . To forestall this , vary the vase weewee often and make a new slice in the bow every few Clarence Day .
Floral preservative , available from florists , contain lolly , acids and bactericide that can offer edit out efflorescence life . These amount in small bundle and are generally usable where cut flower are sold . If used by rights , these can lead the vase life of some cut heyday 2 to 3 times when compared with just plain water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant life ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not intend that the plant thrives or prefer this situation , but is able-bodied to accommodate and continue its life cycle . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous bud that will grow and renew a plant when excite by pruning . There are three basic eccentric of bud : terminal , sidelong and hibernating . Terminal buds are at the wind of twigs or branches . They grow to make the branch or twig longer . In some lawsuit they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the tip of a leg and slay the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side branches leave in a thicker , bushier flora . Lateral buds are low-down down on the twig and are often at the item of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the last bud , resulting in a long , lean subdivision . inactive bud may rest motionless in the bark or radical and will only acquire after the plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before young emergence begins with a complete fertiliser . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to rationalise this plant .
