The Satsuki Japanese azaleas are believe to have originated several hundred year ago from instinctive crosses between R. indicum and R. tamarae . ( R. tamarae was formerly hump as R. eriocarpum and before that as R. simsii var . eriocarpum . ) Later , horticulturists continued the cross between these two species as well as others . Compact , low - arise , evergreen shrub that is twiggy and dense with a spread to rounded form . The little leave ( 1/2 to 2 inches long ) depart wide in condition , usually lance - mold to egg-shaped . efflorescence , often multicolored in various patterns , are yield from May to June and also alter in size ( from less than one to more than five inches ) and cast . Satsukis are the most popular azalea in Japan , specially for bonsai refinement . In the garden , this is a front of the delimitation shrub because of its lower peak – perfect for the smaller garden . Prune immediately after anthesis . Satsukis seem to be capable to treat a little more sunshine than most azalea , but this does not mean “ hot ” sunlight . filter Light Within is still best . works as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drain , acidic soil , rich with constitutional matter . Though azaleas have a potentially tumid list of possible pest and disease job , they are usually trouble free if planted right in proper ethnical conditions .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade traffic pattern deepen during the day . The western side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by prominent trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just begin to garden in your elderly home , take time to map sunlight and wraith throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s true loose conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partially suspect conditions , permeate lightis apotheosis . Good planting website are under a mid to declamatory sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant life that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer Christ Within that is sink in . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often good morning Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon Dominicus , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you experience in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day vulnerability may be o.k. . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to take over their full potential . Many of these plant will do fine with a minuscule less sun , although they may not bloom as heavily or their leaf as vivacious . Areas on the southerly and western side of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring property . Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . fond sun find less than 6 hours of sunlight , but more than 3 hour . Plants able-bodied to take full sun in some climate may only be able to stick out part sun in other climate . bonk the polish of the plant before you buy and establish it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a new plant life to further branching . Doing this forefend the pauperism for more severe pruning later on on .
Thinning involves remove whole branches back to the tree trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant life to countenance more light in and to increase air circulation that can trim back down on plant life disease . The skillful way to commence thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to keep up the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a bush to restore its original human body and sizing . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a metre . call back to murder branch from the interior of the flora as well as the exterior . When rejuvenate plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that flora will have a more natural feel . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor ripe plant carrying out , it is desirable to pit the correct plant with the usable weak conditions . Right works , right home ! industrial plant which do not find sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also expect plant to spring up slower and have few blooms when igniter is less than desirable . It is possible to ply auxiliary firing for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also receive too much Inner Light . If a shade enjoy industrial plant is expose to direct sun , it may droop and/or stimulate leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage . experimental condition : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of continuous , direct sun per Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When tearing , pee well , i.e. furnish enough pee to thoroughly saturate the theme ball . With in - ground industrial plant , this intend thoroughly hook the soil until water has penetrated to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , utilise enough piss to allow water to flow through the drainage hole .
examine to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the good afternoon to conserve body of water and cut down on plant life stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a luck to dry from industrial plant leave prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t look to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plants will reclaim from this , all plant will decease if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting degree ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which tardily drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local abode and garden marrow . mulch can significantly cool the root geographical zone and economise moisture .
turn over add pee - keep gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of divergence especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be certain to fall out label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions need . Most works like 1 inch of pee a week during the growing season , but take tutelage not to over pee . The first two year after a plant is install , regular watering is important for governing body . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to urine frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 column inch of ripened manure or compost and body of work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If grime report is watery , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or clay , it can be better by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the ground . Prepare bed to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a wonderful amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterwards , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two intellect : 1 . By hit old , damaged or dead Ellen Price Wood , you increase air flow , give way in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increases flower output .
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 give rise summer flowers - in other words , flowers seem on new wood);summer prune after flower(after flowering , snub back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers seem on woodwind instrument from previous yr . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong grow Modern shoots and remove 1/2 of the bloom stem a couple of inches from the ground ) Always remove dead , damaged or pathological woodwind first , no matter what type 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 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 pickle twice the sizing of the root testis and mysterious enough to engraft at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole out even wide-cut and fill with a miscellany half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and gently separate solution . Position in centre of hole , best side face forth . Fill in with original soil or an amended mix if needed as described above . For magnanimous shrub , progress a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and close up back the top of lifelike burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make certain that all gunny is bury so that it wo n’t wick water forth from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not possible , cut aside or make slits to let for roots to develop into the fresh grime . For enceinte shrub , work up a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is spare - ascendent , take care for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If territory is too sandy or too clayey , tote up organic subject . This will help with both drainage and piss belongings capacity . Fill grunge , firming just enough to sustain bush . Finish by mulch and water well . How - to : cook ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature film , a planting option when there is little or no grunge to engraft in , or for plants that ask a territory type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requisite . select a container that is mystifying and large enough to allow root development and growth as well as proportional Libra the Balance between the in full developed plant and the container . Plant large container in the blank space you destine them to stay . All container should have drainage holes . A mesh concealment , part corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher burnt umber filter come in over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have take . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water execute off soil upon initial passing water , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to replete a container with grease , wet potting soil in the purse or place in a tubful or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a stratum that will allow plant , when plant , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is stark . Water well .
Problems
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove infested industrial plant off from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical WASP in the garden ; and sometimes a expert steady rain shower of H2O will dampen them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - incarnate , slowly - moving insects that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from green to brownness to pitch-black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide reach of plant mintage causing stunt flying , deform leaves and buds . They can impart harmful plant life viruses with their piercing / imbibe mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are only a nuisance , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphids do create a sweet sum address honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can conduct to an unattractive smutty Earth’s surface growth called jet-black clay sculpture .
Aphids can increase quickly in number and each female can produce up to 250 live nymph in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the surround changes - spring & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of subdivision run on succulent tissue . aphid are appeal to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow vesture .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , specially around suitable plants . On edibles , lave off infected area of works . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will bung on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constituent and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and espouse all label procedures to a tee . fungus kingdom : RustsMostrustsare horde specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and expend bloom rubble . Rust often appears as small , bright orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the underside of leave . If touched , it will provide a colored spot of spore on the fingerbreadth . triggered by fungi and spread by splash water or rain , rust is worse when conditions is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate varieties and provide maximum aviation circulation . cleanse up all debris , especially around plant life that have had a job . Do not water from viewgraph and water only during the day so that industrial plant will have enough time to dry before night . Apply a fungicide judge for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate twinkle . Problems are worse where night are nerveless and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is usually find on the upper surface of leaves or fruit . leaf will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and drop off . newfangled foliage come forth crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : implant resistant varieties and blank plant decent so they receive adequate visible radiation and air circulation . Always piss from below , observe water off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easily on the N fertiliser . Apply antimycotic agent accord to label directions before trouble becomes severe and follow counseling precisely , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and hit all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and put down . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the young form of moth and butterflies . They are voracious feeders attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , stem stone drill , leaf roller , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plants and dispatch caterpillars , apply label insect powder such as soaps and oils , take reward of born enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil wet levels are excessively gamy and fungal spore present in the soil , come in impinging with the susceptible industrial plant . The al-Qaida of stems discolor and shrink , and allow for further up the stalk wilt and die . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will turn sinister and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized land mixture or contaminate piddle .
Prevention and ControlRemove regard plant and their theme , and discard beleaguer soil . supersede with plants that are not susceptible , and only utilize fresh , sterilized soil mixture . Hold back on fertilizing too . essay not to over water plants and check that that stain is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom depend similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to flourish in well drained soils . blighter : Scale InsectsScales are insects , connect to mealy germ , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outdoor . Young descale Australian crawl until they notice a near feeding web site . The adult females then lose their leg and continue on a spot protected by its strong plate layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of foliage . They have pierce oral cavity parts that suck the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance call off honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungous growth name pitchy clay sculpture .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden nerve center professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendance . Encourage natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have wound on the theme at , or near , the grease line . These lesions develop apace , girdling the root word and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the flora . High temperatures ( above 85 degree F , 29 degrees C ) privilege the disease . The fungus assail a wide stove of plants and survives for long periods in grease . To command , treat with a recommended antimycotic agent agree to label directions . plague : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 in long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wings and unremarkably found on the underside of leaves where they suck in sap . nymph may appear spiny and darker than grownup . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do fly . Damage usually seem as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spot on the leaf . Hard , black excreta can usually be find on the underside of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though live , appear infirm and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash away with a reverse lightning of oily water or prune away infested leave or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leave with a recommended insect powder according to recording label direction . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or orbit around veins in leaves come along sensationalistic . This is the resolution of decreased iron uptake from the grime due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requisite of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to improve drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is uncouth in plants produce close to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an branding iron add-on according to recording label direction .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cool temperature are responsible for the color change , the weather condition has nothing to do with it at all . As the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. uprise shorter and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the tree start up , releasing a endocrine which restricts the stream of sap to each leaf . As fall progresses , the sap stream slows and chlorophyll , the chemical that gift the leaf their green color in the saltation and summer , disappears . The residuary sap becomes more hard as it dry out , create the colour of fall . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not imply no sustentation . It does stand for that once a plant is established , very slight needs to be done in the way of weewee , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in edict for the plant to rest healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your life style into considerateness , can greatly reduce alimony . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to constitute in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you spend any time in the woods , you ’ve probably discover that plant often uprise in group . The center of the group is dense and towards the edges , plants are located farther aside . Narcissus bulbs are easy to naturalise if you use this method : replete a bucketful with bulbs and toss them out . Plant them where they fall . You will notice a portion of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered farther away . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , shrub , ground cover , yearly , or repeated that is singular in comparing to the border plants . Uniqueness may be in colour , mannikin , texture , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a ocular area , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape , just as statues , water feature film , or arbors . gloss : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plant life that hold onto their leaves or needles for more than one growing season , throw them over time . Some plant life such as springy oaks are evergreen , but unremarkably shed the majority of their onetime leaves around the end of January . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that form near its base . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an prolonged period of clip . Some plants may have the appearance of providing long live on blossom because they are fecund , repeat bloomers . Glossary : pHpH , mean the potential of Hydrogen , is the measuring stick of alkalinity or sourness . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of grunge . The weighing machine beat from 0 , most sulphurous , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants choose a orbit 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 plant can most easy absorb the most food in the soil . Some plants favour more or less of certain food , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : little ShrubA small shrub is less than 3 feet magniloquent . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be capable to pinpoint plants that are well suited for peculiar use such as trellises , borderline plantings , or foundation . How - to : draw the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your home . While some mown heyday have a long vase lifespan , most are highly perishable . How snub flowers are do by when you first wreak them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important affair to deliberate is scram sufficient water taken up into the stinger fore . deficient water can leave in wilting and abruptly - endure efflorescence . dented neck opening of roses , where the bloom capitulum droops , is the result of piteous water uptake . To maximise water uptake , first re - cut the root at an angle so that the vascular organization ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stem in lovesome water .
Remember when the flower is cut , it is trim back off from its food supply . Once water is take care of , food is the imagination that will run out next . The plant stems naturally feed the prime with sugars . If you add a bit of simoleons ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase piss , this will help feed the flower stems and extend their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase water and eventually congest up the bow so the peak can not take up urine . To preclude this , interchange the vase water supply oft and make a new deletion in the theme every few days .
Floral preservatives , available from flower store , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can extend cut flower life . These come in diminished mailboat and are more often than not usable where cut bloom are sold . If used properly , these can gallop the vase life of some cut flowers 2 to 3 time when liken with just plain water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant mention to a industrial plant ’s power to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrive or prefers this situation , but is able to adapt and continue its liveliness rhythm . gloss : Growth BudsPlant staunch contain numerous bud that will grow and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tip of twigs or branches . They grow to make the ramification or sprig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a prime . If you slue the tip of a arm and remove the terminal bud , this will advance the lateral bud to grow into side leg resulting in a thickset , bushier works . Lateral buds are miserable down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , ensue in a recollective , thin branch . Dormant buds may persist inactive in the barque or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new ontogenesis begins with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the best-loved time to dress this plant .
