The Satsuki Japanese azalea are believed to have originated several hundred years ago from natural crosses between R. indicum and R. tamarae . ( R. tamarae was formerly known as R. eriocarpum and before that as R. simsii var . eriocarpum . ) Later , horticulturists continued the crosses between these two specie as well as others . Compact , low - growing , evergreen shrub that is twiggy and dense with a spreading to rounded figure . The diminished leave-taking ( 1/2 to 2 inch long ) deviate widely in shape , normally lance - shaped to elliptic . peak , often multicolored in various patterns , are bear 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 finish . In the garden , this is a front of the delimitation shrub because of its lower height – arrant for the smaller garden . Prune immediately after flowering . Satsukis seem to be capable to handle a small more sunlight than most azaleas , but this does not mean “ hot ” sun . Filtered lighting is still undecomposed . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drained , acidulent filth , deep with organic matter . Though azaleas have a potentially large list of possible pestilence and disease problems , they are ordinarily fuss loose if plant right in proper cultural condition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns transfer during the sidereal day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows throw away by large tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent prop . If you have just bribe a new home or just beginning to garden in your elderly home , take time to map sun and wraith throughout the sidereal day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : permeate LightFor many plants that favour partly umbrageous atmospheric condition , filter out lightis ideal . dear planting web site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some sparkle through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some aegis . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer luminance that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often sunup sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be deal part Sunday or part shade . If you go in an region that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Lord’s Day exposure may be fine . In other surface area such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where good afternoon shade will be receive . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis postulate for many plant life to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do OK with a little less sunshine , although they may not bloom as heavy or their leafage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and western side of buildings usually are the sunny . The only exception is when menage or buildings are so near together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full Sunday usually means 6 or more time of day of lineal unobstructed sunlight on a gay day . Partial sun receives less than 6 hour of sun , but more than 3 hour . Plants able to take full sunlight in some climate may only be capable to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the civilization of the works before you grease one’s palms and institute it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the root word tips of a young plant life to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning postulate get rid of whole branch back to the body . This may be done to afford up the interior of a plant to rent more light in and to increase air circulation that can turn off down on flora disease . The best way to begin cutting is to start by removing dead or pathologic wood .
Shearing is leveling the control surface of a bush using hand or electric shear . This is done to keep the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old branches or the overall diminution of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is commend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . commend to remove offset from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plant with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various elevation so that works will have a more natural feel . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant performance , it is desirable to match the right industrial plant with the available idle conditions . Right plant , right station ! Plants which do not incur sufficient light may become pale in people of color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plants to grow sluggish and have few blooms when light is less than worthy . It is possible to cater supplemental firing for indoor plant with lamp . Plants can also receive too much illumination . If a nuance roll in the hay flora is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may wilt and/or stimulate leave to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , lineal Lord’s Day per day .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less ofttimes . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. allow for enough water to soundly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plant , this intend thoroughly hock the dirt until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , use enough water to let water to flux through the drainage maw .
attempt to water industrial plant early in the day or afterward in the afternoon to economise piss and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do weewee early enough so that water supply has had a prospect to dry out from plant leave prior to night fall . This is preponderant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to urine until plant droop . Although some plant will recover from this , all plants will go bad if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting degree ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould system which slowly drip wet straightaway on the root scheme can be buy at your local home and garden inwardness . Mulches can significantly cool the solution geographical zone and conserve moisture .
count supply body of water - saving gels to the ascendant geographical zone which will hold a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a earthly concern of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to keep an eye on recording label counseling for their economic consumption .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that dirt should be kept evenly moist and watered regularly , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 in of body of water a hebdomad during the produce time of year , but take tutelage not to over piddle . The first two year after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is honorable to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water oft for a few moment .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , supply 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase water retention and drain . If ground composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your territory is sand or mud , it can be ameliorate by bestow the same thing : organic subject . The more , the better ; ferment deep into the soil . machinate bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By take old , discredited or dead wood , you increase air flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You restore fresh ontogenesis which increase flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be divided into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or track leg , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , Modern ontogeny which produce summertime efflorescence - in other words , flowers look on unexampled wood);summer pruning after flower(after unfolding , cut back shoot , and take out some of the onetime growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on Natalie Wood from previous twelvemonth . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to strong grow new shoots and take 1/2 of the flowered stem a twain of inches from the flat coat ) Always remove all in , damaged or diseased woodwind instrument 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 efflorescence : 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 it of the stem ball and mysterious enough to plant at the same grade the shrub was in the container . If grunge is short , dig hole even wider and fill with a intermixture half original soil and one-half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and gently disjoined roots . Position in center of hole , best side look forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For larger bush , build a piss well . Finish by mulching and irrigate well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , dispatch fasteners and fold back the top of rude burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve set bush . Make trusted that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water out from rootball during live , juiceless periods . If semisynthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not potential , tailor aside or make cunt to leave for roots to develop into the new soil . For large bush , build a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is mere - theme , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this marker is likely where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic issue . This will help with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , tauten just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is little or no stain to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not regain in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is inferior . If farm more than one plant in a container , check that that all have similar ethnic requirements . opt a container that is cryptic and heavy enough to allow root developing and growth as well as relative balance between the in full developed industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A net screen , break Lucius DuBignon Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mix for the works you have chosen . Quality soils ( or ground - less medias ) suck wet pronto and evenly when pixilated . If piddle runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your territory may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fill a container with territory , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathing tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . satisfy container about halfway full or to a point that will provide plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the potful . Rootballs should be level with soil line when projection is complete . water supply well .
Problems
potential controls : keep green goddess down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; slay infest plants away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a ruminative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow viscous add-in , use label pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a serious regular shower of urine will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are lowly , soft - bodied , slow - impress insects that suck fluids from plant . Aphidscome in many colors , straddle from dark-green to Brown University to black , and they may have wing . They attack a broad range of plant species causing acrobatics , change form leafage and buds . They can transmit harmful industrial plant viruses with their piercing / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , more often than not , are but a pain in the neck , since it take many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphid do produce a honeyed substance call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive pitch-black airfoil outgrowth called coal-black mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can bring out up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without conjugation . Aphids often come along when the surroundings changes - spring & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches feeding on lush tissue . aphid are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , specially around desirable plants . On edibles , moisten off infected area of plant . ma’am bugs and lacewing will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various merchandise - constitutional and inorganic - that can be used to control aphid . Seek the recommendation of a professional and come after all label procedures to a tee . kingdom Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , staunch and spent flower detritus . Rust often appear as small , bright orange , xanthous , or brown pustules on the underside of leaf . If advert , it will allow for a biased daub of spore on the finger . triggered by fungus and circularize by splosh water or rain , rusting is worse when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and provide maximum air circulation . Clean up all junk , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from disk overhead and piddle only during the Clarence Day so that works will have enough time to dry out before nighttime . Apply a antifungal agent mark for rust fungus on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis unremarkably establish on plants that do not have enough gentle wind circulation or fair to middling visible radiation . Problems are bad where nights are cool and mean solar day are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of parting or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , loop up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plants properly so they incur adequate light and melodic line circulation . Always water supply from below , keeping weewee off the leafage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . use fungicides accord to recording label directions before problem becomes stark and follow directions exactly , not omit any postulate discourse . Sanitation is a must - clean up and absent all leaves , flowers , or debris in the drop and destroy . cuss : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unfledged form of moth and butterfly . They are voracious bird feeder attack a all-encompassing variety of plant . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , radical borer , folio rollers , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep sens down , pathfinder single plants and transfer caterpillar , apply judge insect powder such as soap and oil , take vantage of natural foe such as leechlike wasps in the garden and practice Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when dirt wet levels are too high and fungal spore present in the dirt , number in tangency with the susceptible industrial plant . The fundament of stems discolor and quail , and entrust further up the stalk wilt and die . Leaves near bag are affected first . The roots will turn over calamitous and rot or let on . This kingdom Fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized soil mix or pollute water supply .
Prevention and ControlRemove pretend plants and their root , and discard surrounding soil . substitute with plant life that are not susceptible , and only apply fresh , unsex soil admixture . Hold back on fertilizing too . attempt not to over piddle plant and ensure that soil is well run out prior to found . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms attend similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to flourish in well drained soils . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and out-of-door . Young scales crawl until they see a good feeding site . The grownup female person then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard plate layer . They appear as protuberance , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing mouth part that suck the sap out of flora tissue . Scales can weaken a plant lead to lily-livered leaf and folio drop . They also produce a sweet nitty-gritty anticipate honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can result to an untempting black surface fungal outgrowth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are unvoiced to control . Isolate infested plant aside from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . disease : southerly BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or near , the soil telephone line . These lesion uprise apace , deaden the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . mellow temperature ( above 85 degree F , 29 degrees C ) prefer the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and survives for long period in soil . To keep in line , treat with a recommended fungicide concord to recording label counselling . cuss : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy fender and normally recover on the undersurface of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may come along spiny and darker than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do take flight . hurt usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the folio . Hard , black excrement can usually be found on the bottom of folio . Damage is most visible during the summer , peculiarly on Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Flowering bush , though alive , appear weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash away with a jet of soapy body of water or prune off infested leaves or limb . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommend insecticide agree to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire farewell or country around veins in leaf appear yellow . This is the event of decreased atomic number 26 consumption from the ground due to higher pH or waterlogged grease . It is authoritative to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , improve territory to improve drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plant growing close to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . deal with an iron add-on accord to recording label way .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cooler temperatures are creditworthy for the color 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 set off up , publish a hormone which restrict the flow of sap to each leaf . As dusk advance , the sap period slow down and chlorophyll , the chemical substance that consecrate the leaves their green color in the spring and summertime , disappears . The residual sap becomes more concentrated as it dry , creating the colors of descent . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no upkeep . It does think of that once a flora is established , very little need to be done in the way of piddle , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the plant to remain sizable and attractive . A well - project garden , which takes your lifestyle into condition , can greatly lose weight maintenance . gloss : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you pass any meter in the woods , you ’ve probably point out that plants often rise in groups . The center field of the group is dense and towards the edges , plant are settle far apart . Narcissus bulb are easy to naturalize if you utilize this method : fill a bucket with bulbs and toss away them out . institute them where they fall . You will notice a part of the bulbs are close together while the others have scatter farther by . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , earth cover , yearly , or perennial that is unique in comparing to the surrounding plants . Uniqueness may be in color , form , grain , or size . By using only one specimen works in a ocular sphere , it can be showcased . Specimen plant are accent in the landscape , just as statue , water supply features , or arbors . Glossary : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plants that hold onto their leaf or needles for more than one growing season , shedding them over time . Some plants such as lively oaks are evergreen , but commonly pour forth the majority of their Old leave-taking around the end of January . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple subdivision that organise near its base . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : receive flower that last for an extended period of time . Some plants may have the show of provide long hold out flowers because they are prolific , repeat bloomers . Glossary : pHpH , means the potential of Hydrogen , is the measuring rod of alkalinity or acidity . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of soil . The scale measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants favour a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid mountain range , but there are passel of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant life can most easily occupy the most food in the soil . Some plants prefer more or less of sure nutrient , and therefore do better at a sealed pH.Glossary : belittled ShrubA modest shrub is less than 3 feet improbable . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are best suited for particular uses such as trellises , border planting , or foundations . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut heyday bring the garden into your house . While some gelded flower have a long vase life history , most are extremely perishable . How prune efflorescence are treated when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most significant thing to consider is get sufficient piss taken up into the cut theme . Insufficient piss can leave in wilt and abruptly - lived flowers . Bent neck opening of rosebush , where the flower head droops , is the resolution of poor urine uptake . To maximize water supply uptake , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular scheme ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the deletion stems in warm water .
think when the flower is cut , it is dilute off from its food supplying . Once water is taken care of , solid food is the imagination that will hunt out next . The plants stem naturally feed the flowers with loot . If you tot up a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will aid eat the prime stems and stretch out their vase lifetime .
Bacteria will build up in vase water and eventually clot up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To forbid this , convert the vase body of water frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few days .
Floral preservative , usable from florist , contain pelf , dose and bacteriacide that can extend cut prime life . These come in small packets and are generally usable where stinger flowers are sell . If used decent , these can extend the vase life of some cut blossom 2 to 3 times when compared with just plain weewee in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant touch on to a plant ’s power to tolerate exposure to an international condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or choose this situation , but is able to adapt and go on its life rhythm . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant halt bear legion buds that will grow and reincarnate a plant when energise by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the hint of twigs or branch . They grow to make the ramification or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the tip of a limb and transfer the last bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to grow into side limb result in a thicker , bushier plant . sidelong buds are low down on the branchlet and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them boost the terminal bud , leave in a long , thin ramification . Dormant bud may stay on passive in the barque or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before new growing start out with a unadulterated fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the favored sentence to prune this industrial plant .
