The Satsuki Japanese azalea are believed to have arise several hundred years ago from natural crosses between R. indicum and R. tamarae . ( R. tamarae was formerly know as R. eriocarpum and before that as R. simsii var . eriocarpum . ) afterwards , horticulturists continued the cross between these two specie as well as others . Compact , low - growing , evergreen shrub that is twiggy and dense with a spreading to rounded form . The lowly leaves ( 1/2 to 2 inch long ) vary wide in form , usually lance - shaped to elliptical . Flowers , often multicolored in various patterns , are borne from May to June and also vary in size ( from less than one to more than five inches ) and shape . Satsukis are the most pop azalea in Japan , especially for bonsai culture . In the garden , this is a front of the border bush because of its abject height – sodding for the smaller garden . Prune immediately after flowering . Satsukis seem to be able to handle a small more sunlight than most azaleas , but this does not think “ spicy ” sun . filter light is still best . Plant as you would any of the other azalea : gamy and in well - drained , acidic soil , rich with organic thing . Though azalea have a potentially large listing of possible pest and disease problem , they are usually trouble free if planted right in proper cultural conditions .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade traffic pattern change during the Clarence Day . The westerly side of a sign may even be shady due to shadows hurtle by large trees or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bought a new abode or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling house , take clip to map Dominicus and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavor for your site ’s lawful light conditions . Conditions : sink in LightFor many plants that choose partially shady experimental condition , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to declamatory sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminance that is separate out . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sunlight or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon tincture will be receive . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full potential drop . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not blossom as heavily or their leaf as vibrant . expanse on the southerly and westerly English of building usually are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full Sunday commonly mean 6 or more hour of lineal unobstructed sunlight on a cheery twenty-four hour period . fond sun receives less than 6 hours of sunshine , but more than 3 hours . Plants able-bodied to take full Lord’s Day in some mood may only be able to endure part sun in other climate . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and set it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the stem bakshish of a youthful plant to advance separate . Doing this avoids the want for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning call for take out whole offshoot back to the tree trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a works to let more Inner Light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on flora disease . The just way to begin thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased Ellen Price Wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using hand or electrical shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of onetime branches or the overall reduction of the sizing of a bush to restore its original form and sizing . It is recommended that you do not dispatch more than one third of a industrial plant at a fourth dimension . retrieve to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant life will have a more rude look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor just works performance , it is desirable to play off the correct plant life with the useable light conditions . Right plant , right place ! works which do not receive sufficient twinkle may become wan in people of color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " load - out appearance . Also await plant to farm dim and have few bloom when light is less than desirable . It is potential to ply supplemental firing for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also receive too much light . If a tincture know plant is exposed to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or stimulate leaves to be burn or otherwise damage . weather : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of continuous , verbatim sun per daylight .
Watering
The winder to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the tooth root ball . With in - earth plants , this think thoroughly soaking the soil until water system has penetrate to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being in effect ) . With container grown plants , enforce enough piss to allow water to menstruate through the drainage kettle of fish .
attempt to water plants early on in the day or later in the good afternoon to keep up water and cut down on plant stress . Do piss betimes enough so that piss has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t look to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recuperate from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach out to the lasting wilting stage ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which tardily drip moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the beginning zone and conserve moisture .
look at tot water - salvage gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of piss for the plant . These can make a world of difference especially under stressful weather . Be certain to follow label counseling for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be go on evenly moist and watered regularly , as conditions require . Most industrial plant like 1 inch of water a week during the get time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two class after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is estimable to water once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A calendar week to 10 mean solar day before planting , sum up 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate fertility and increase water retention and drainage . If dirt opus is feeble , a layer of topsoil should be consider as well . No matter if your grime is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : constituent matter . The more , the good ; operate deep into the stain . Prepare bed to an 18 inch thick for perennials . This will seem like a rattling amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous florescence shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By take out previous , damaged or all in wood , you increase air flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You restore young growth which increases blossom output .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be split into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or cross branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new outgrowth which produces summer flowers - in other words , flowers come out on novel wood);summer clip after flower(after flowering , rationalize back shoots , and take out some of the honest-to-god growth , down to the ground);suckering drug abuse pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous yr . Cut back flower stems by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoot and remove 1/2 of the flower stems a couple of inch from the ground ) Always get rid of deadened , damaged or diseased wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . natural 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 hole twice the size of the radical ball and deep enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If filth is poor , dig hole out even all-encompassing and occupy with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously move out bush from container and lightly disjoined roots . Position in center of yap , best side face forward . meet in with original land or an amended mixture if necessitate as described above . For bigger shrub , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , remove fastener and fold back the top of rude burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve place shrub . Make trusted that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick pee away from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not possible , cut away or make slits to allow for roots to evolve into the new land . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is barren - root , expect for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is potential where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is little or no territory to plant in , or for plants that require a land type not obtain in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root growth and growth as well as proportional residuum between the fully developed works and the container . embed large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A interlocking screen , stop remains mass pieces(crock ) or a paper deep brown filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate intermixture for the plants you have select . Quality land ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you opine .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot land in the bag or place in a bathtub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a layer that will permit plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the crapper . Rootballs should be level with filth line when project is complete . Water well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep weeds down ; use test in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants aside from non - infested plant life ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky card , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a right stiff shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are lowly , subdued - corporate , slow - move insects that suckle fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from unripened to brown to black , and they may have annexe . They attack a wide kitchen range of plant species causing acrobatics , deformed leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their piercing / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are just a nuisance , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant price . However aphids do produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting contraband Earth’s surface increment called sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the class of a month without coupling . Aphids often come out when the surround changes - spring & surrender . They ’re often mass at the tips of branch run on lush tissue . Aphids are draw in to the coloring yellow and will often hitchhike on jaundiced clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an downright minimum , especially around desirable industrial plant . On edibles , wash off infected field of plant . noblewoman hemipteron and lacewings will bung on aphids in the garden . There are various intersection - constitutive and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . search the recommendation of a professional and follow all label subroutine to a tee . kingdom Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stem and spent flower debris . Rust often appears as little , promising orange , yellow , or brown pustule on the undersurface of leave . If touched , it will leave a dyed spot of spore on the fingerbreadth . due to fungus and spread by slop H2O or rainwater , rust is worse when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : engraft immune varieties and provide maximum air circulation . houseclean up all debris , peculiarly around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from smash and water only during the daytime so that plant will have enough prison term to dry out before nighttime . Apply a antifungal labeled for rusting on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually find on plants that do not have enough melodic phrase circulation or tolerable light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and twenty-four hours are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or gray-headed fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . leaf will often turn jaundiced or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . New foliage emerge crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop off betimes .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive varieties and distance plants decently so they receive adequate luminousness and air circulation . Always pee from below , keep water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal agent according to recording label directions before problem becomes severe and watch over guidance incisively , not miss any ask treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the twilight and ruin . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripe form of moths and butterflies . They are voracious confluent round a all-inclusive miscellanea of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , shank borers , leaf curler , cutworm and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep smoke down , scout individual works and remove Caterpillar , apply label insecticides such as soaps and oils , take reward of raw enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden and utilise Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar mintage . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture story are to a fault high and fungal spore present in the territory , get along in contact with the susceptible plant . The nucleotide of stems discolor and contract , and leave further up the husk wilt and die . leaf near base are regard first . The roots will turn calamitous and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilised soil mix or contaminate water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their roots , and discard surrounding grease . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only practice sweet , sterilized land premix . keep back back on feed too . essay not to over water plants and verify that soil is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well enfeeble soils . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , interrelate to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scale crawling until they find a good eating web site . The grownup female then lose their leg and rest on a spot protect by its hard shell stratum . They seem as bump , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that breastfeed the sap out of works tissue . musical scale can weaken a plant extend to icteric foliage and leaf drop . They also make a sweet gist called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black airfoil fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are gruelling to moderate . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden heart professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemy such as epenthetic wasp in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesions on the stem at , or close , the soil line . These lesions develop rapidly , deaden the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the flora . eminent temperature ( above 85 degree F , 29 level C ) favour the disease . The fungus attack a wide range of plants and survive for long periods in soil . To control , treat with a advocate fungicide concord to recording label direction . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare bloodless to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in shape with have lacy offstage and ordinarily rule on the underside of foliage where they nurse sap . nymph may look thorny and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fell , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do pilot . harm usually appear as stipples or " " bleached - calculate " " spots on the leaves . Hard , mordant excreta can unremarkably be found on the underside of leave . Damage is most visible during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrub , though animated , appear washy and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is soft , moisten aside with a jet of soapy water or prune away overrun leaves or limb . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your sphere . To control dirt ball , spray underside of leaf with a recommended insecticide concord to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or field around veins in farewell come out white-livered . This is the result of decreased iron ingestion from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , amend land to better drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plants growing near to concrete or planted in alkaline soil . plow with an iron supplementation grant to recording label directions .
Miscellaneous
Although many people consider that cooler temperatures are responsible for the color change , the weather condition 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 , releasing a endocrine which curb the stream of sap to each foliage . As fall progresses , the sap stream slow and chlorophyl , the chemical that hand the leaves their fleeceable color in the spring and summertime , disappears . The residual sap becomes more concentrated as it dries , creating the colors of fall . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not signify no sustentation . It does think of that once a works is established , very minuscule need to be done in the agency of water , fertilizing , pruning , or discussion in fiat for the plant life to remain healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your life-style into consideration , can greatly reduce sustainment . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , soil cover , yearly , or perennial that is singular in comparison to the surrounding plants . Uniqueness may be in color , form , grain , 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 statue , water features , or arbors . gloss : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plants that contain onto their leaves or needles for more than one growing season , shedding them over time . Some plant such as alive oak are evergreen , but commonly shed the bulk of their older leaves around the end of January . Glossary : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that form near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossom that last for an prolonged menstruum of time . Some plant life may have the appearance of provide tenacious endure flowers because they are fertile , repetition bloomers . Glossary : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the bill of alkalinity or acidulousness . In gardening , pH refer to the pH of ground . The scale leaf cadence from 0 , most acrid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants prefer a stove between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid cooking stove , but there are plenty of other plants that like grime more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the works can most easily absorb the most nutrient in the ground . Some plants favor more or less of sealed nutrients , and therefore do better at a sure pH.Glossary : Small ShrubA small shrub is less than 3 feet tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy look Landscape Uses , you will be capable to nail industrial plant that are well suit for particular uses such as trellises , borderline planting , or groundwork . How - to : incur the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut efflorescence bring the garden into your home . While some cut bloom have a long vase aliveness , most are highly perishable . How cut flowers are treat when you first add them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most of import thing to consider is pay off sufficient piss take up into the cut stem . deficient water can result in wilting and short - lived bloom . Bent neck of rose wine , where the flower forefront droop , is the result of poor water consumption . To maximise pee intake , first re - cut the stems at an slant so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is decipherable . Next immerse the gash stem in warm pee .
Remember when the flower is issue , it is cut off from its food supply . Once water is take in care of , food is the resourcefulness that will function out next . The plants stems by nature give the flowers with sugars . If you add a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase piss , this will avail feed the flower stems and extend their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase water and finally choke off up the stem so the flush can not take up water . To prevent this , alter the vase water frequently and make a new cut in the root word every few days .
Floral preservative , available from florists , contain saccharide , superman and bacteriacide that can protract slew flower life . These come in small packets and are generally uncommitted where cut flowers are sold . If used properly , these can extend the vase life of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when equate with just plain water system in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an outside condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefer this situation , but is able-bodied to adapt and continue its spirit Hz . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stem incorporate numerous buds that will grow and regenerate a plant when make by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , sidelong and hibernating . Terminal buds are at the tips of sprig or branches . They raise to make the limb or sprig longer . In some cases they may give salary increase to a flower . If you cut the point of a branch and remove the last bud , this will boost the lateral buds to develop into side branch resulting in a loggerheaded , bushier flora . sidelong buds are low down on the sprig and are often at the power point of leaf attachment . Pruning them encourage the terminal bud , resulting in a retentive , tenuous branch . abeyant bud may stay inactive in the bark or radical and will only farm after the plant is turn out back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before fresh outgrowth start with a arrant fertilizer . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this works .