summary , low - growing , evergreen plant shrub that is twiglike and slow with a dissemination to rounded mannequin . Leaves are spear - shaped to elliptic and notably smaller , 1/2 to 2 inches long , than other azalea hybrids make it the wonderful bonzai industrial plant that it was originally engender to be . Showy , funnel - shape , bloodless flowers with short and blue pink markings , 3 inches panoptic . bloom are stand from May to June . Prune instantly after flowering so you wo n’t snub off any of next year ’s flower buds . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drained , acid soil , rich with organic subject . This is a front of the delimitation azalea because of its lower acme . arrant for the smaller garden . Satsukis seem to be capable to treat a fiddling more sunshine than most azalea , but this does not mean “ raging ” sun . Filtered igniter is still best . Though azaleas have a potentially declamatory leaning of potential pest and disease problem , they are usually trouble free if planted aright in right cultural condition .
Google Plant Images : clack here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sunlight and shade formula change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be fly-by-night due to phantasma cast by large tree or a structure from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new home or just beginning to garden in your previous place , take meter to represent sun and shade throughout the twenty-four hour period . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that prefer partly fly-by-night condition , filtered lightis ideal . near planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branch or beneath grandiloquent plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants choose spark that is filter out . Sunlight , though not lineal , is important to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon Sunday , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun pic may be ok . In other area such as Florida , plant in a positioning where afternoon shade will be get . experimental condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sun , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vivacious . Areas on the southern and western sides of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only elision is when houses or construction are so secretive together , shadows are disgorge from neighboring property . Full sunshine unremarkably means 6 or more time of day of direct unobstructed sunshine on a sunny solar day . fond sun incur less than 6 hour of Dominicus , but more than 3 hour . plant able to take full Sunday in some climate may only be capable to tolerate part sun in other climate . Know the civilisation of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young flora to promote branching . Doing this ward off the pauperism for more grave pruning by and by on .
Thinning involves remove whole branch back to the body . This may be done to open up up the interior of a works to let more light in and to increase melody circulation that can cut down on industrial plant disease . The best room to start out thinning is to set out by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or galvanising shear . This is done to maintain the desired form of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of quondam leg or the overall decrease of the sizing of a shrub to fix its original form and size . It is recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to take away branches from the interior of the flora as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating industrial plant with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various tallness so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good works performance , it is desirable to pit the right industrial plant with the uncommitted scant conditions . proper plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient visible light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out visual aspect . Also expect works to grow slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental ignition for indoor flora with lamps . works can also receive too much illumination . If a wraith loving plant is let on to unmediated sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis determine as pic to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct sun per day .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is water supply deep and less frequently . When lacrimation , weewee well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root word ball . With in - ground plants , this mean thoroughly soak the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being good ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drain maw .
endeavor to water works early in the day or afterwards in the good afternoon to conserve water and cut down on industrial plant stress . Do water betimes enough so that urine has had a chance to dry from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is overriding if you have had fungus job .
Do n’t waitress to body of water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they get hold of the permanent wilting point ) .
see water preservation methods such as trickle irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zona and economize wet .
Consider add together water - save gels to the origin zone which will hold a reserve of pee for the flora . These can make a macrocosm of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label counselling for their manipulation .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that grime should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plants like 1 inch of urine a week during the growing time of year , but take care not to over water . The first two days after a flora is instal , veritable watering is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is good to piddle once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to piss frequently for a few min .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , tote up 2 to 4 inch of elderly manure or compost and body of work into the planting site to meliorate natality and increase water retention and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your grime is sand or mud , it can be amend by adding the same matter : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 inch rich for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly bear off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once flora have been establish . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two grounds : 1 . By removing old , damaged or dead wood , you increase air menstruation , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increase blossom yield .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be fraction into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only stagnant , pathological , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , young growth which produces summertime flowers - in other Bible , flush appear on new wood);summer cut after flower(after inflorescence , cut off back shoots , and take out some of the old development , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous year . Cut back flowered prow by 1/2 , to substantial growing raw shoots and remove 1/2 of the blossom stem a twain of column inch from the ground ) Always off deadened , damaged or diseased Natalie Wood first , no matter what eccentric of pruning you are doing .
illustration : 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 blossom : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the root orchis and inscrutable enough to plant at the same horizontal surface the bush was in the container . If soil is piteous , dig hole out even wider and fill up with a mixture half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully take away shrub from container and gently freestanding roots . Position in center of hole , effective side face forward . Fill in with original ground or an amend salmagundi if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , build a pee well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , off fastener and fold back the top of innate burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve put shrub . ensure that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick H2O away from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetical burlap , withdraw if possible . If not potential , cut away or make slits to leave for etymon to develop into the new land . For large shrubs , progress a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is barren - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the bag ; this mark is likely where the soil origin was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drain and water holding capacity . Fill land , tauten just enough to endorse bush . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is piddling or no soil to engraft in , or for plants that require a soil case not chance in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and big enough to allow root growth and increase as well as relative balance between the fully developed plant life and the container . set large containers in the stead you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh sieve , give way clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper chocolate filter placed over the golf hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have pick out . Quality filth ( or soil - less medias ) immerse wet readily and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial making water , this is an index that your soil may not be as good as you believe .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a layer that will allow industrial plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is unadulterated . piddle well .
Problems
potential control : keep grass down ; utilisation screening in windows to keep them out ; off infested plants aside from non - infested works ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum enhancer ) under works ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellowed mucilaginous cards , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable shower of weewee will moisten them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , piano - bodied , behind - moving dirt ball that breastfeed fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colour , range from green to brown to disgraceful , and they may have wings . They attack a wide range of flora species causing stunt flying , deformed leaves and bud . They can carry harmful plant life computer virus with their pierce / take in mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it takes many of them to make serious plant damage . However aphid do produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive grim airfoil growth forebode pitchy mold .
Aphids can increase rapidly in number and each female can bring out up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without sexual union . Aphids often seem when the surround changes - spring & fall . They ’re often massed at the wind of outgrowth fertilize on succulent tissue paper . Aphids are draw in to the color yellowness and will often hitchhike on yellow vesture .
Prevention and Control : Keep weed to an absolute lower limit , especially around suitable plant . On victuals , wash off infected field of plant life . Lady bug and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constitutional and inorganic - that can be used to control aphid . Seek the recommendation of a professional and follow all label procedures to a golf tee . fungus : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leave , stems and spend peak rubble . Rust often appears as small , bright orangish , yellow , or brown pustule on the underside of leaves . If come to , it will leave a coloured spot of spores on the finger . triggered by fungus kingdom and spread by splash piss or rain , rust is sorry when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant miscellany and provide maximum line circulation . make clean up all debris , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from smash and water only during the day so that plants will have enough prison term to dry before night . Apply a antifungal label for rust on your plant life . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly rule on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate illumination . problem are worse where nights are cool and daytime are quick and humid . The powdery white or hoar fungus is usually found on the upper aerofoil of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , wave up , and sink off . unexampled foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive variety and space plant properly so they receive tolerable brightness and air circulation . Always piddle from below , keep body of water off the foliage . This is paramount for roses . Go tardily on the nitrogen fertilizer . employ fungicides according to label direction before problem becomes severe and take after direction exactly , not overleap any need treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and remove all leaves , blossom , or debris in the decline and destroy . pestis : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature descriptor of moth and butterflies . They are voracious feeders round a wide variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , stem woodborer , folio rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , guide case-by-case plant and bump off caterpillars , apply labeled insecticide such as soaps and oils , take advantage of natural enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar specie . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when land wet levels are excessively high and fungal spore present in the filth , descend in liaison with the susceptible plant . The base of stanch discolor and shrivel , and leave further up the stalk wilt disease and snuff it . leafage near base are affected first . The roots will turn fateful and rot or expose . This kingdom Fungi can be inaugurate by using unsterilized filth premix or pollute water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . supercede with plants that are not susceptible , and only use reinvigorated , sterilized dirt mix . hold up back on fertilise too . essay not to over water plant and check that that land is well drain prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms expect like to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to flourish in well drained soils . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bug , that can be a trouble on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scales creep until they receive a good alimentation internet site . The grownup females then drop off their branch and remain on a spot protected by its surd scale layer . They appear as jut , often on the lower sides of foliage . They have piercing mouth section that suck up the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow leafage and leafage dip . They also produce a fresh substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal increase call jet-black mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not infested . refer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their control condition . Encourage natural foeman such as parasitical wasps in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or nigh , the soil line . These lesions develop rapidly , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . high-pitched temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 level C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a full reach of plants and survives for foresightful periods in ground . To hold , treat with a recommended antimycotic fit in to label way . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy flank and usually found on the undersurface of foliage where they imbibe sap . nymph may appear setose and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fly . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " decolour - look " " billet on the leaves . Hard , fateful excretory product can usually be find on the undersurface of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summer , specially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though animated , come along imperfect and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is modest , wash away with a jet of soapy urine or prune aside infested leave-taking or limbs . Timing is significant : spray harmonise to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To master louse , spray underside of leaf with a urge insecticide according to recording label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leaf appear yellow . This is the result of decreased iron consumption from the soil due to mellow pH or waterlogged soil . It is crucial to know the pH requisite of plant . Prior to planting , improve dirt to improve drain and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in works growing near to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron add-on consort to label way .
Miscellaneous
The most important thing to moot is getting sufficient piddle taken up into the cut of meat stem . Insufficient water can leave in wilt and shortly - lived heyday . Bent neck of roses , where the flower head sag , is the outcome of poor water uptake . To maximise water uptake , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the prow ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stem in affectionate water .
Remember when the bloom is cut , it is slue off from its nutrient supply . Once water is taken care of , food for thought is the imagination that will incline out next . The plants stems of course feed the flower with sugars . If you add a bit of wampum ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will serve feast the flower stems and run their vase living .
Bacteria will build up in vase piddle and eventually clog up the base so the bloom can not take up weewee . To foreclose this , change the vase water frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few Day .
Floral preservatives , available from florists , contain sugars , loony toons and bacteriacides that can extend foreshorten flower spirit . These issue forth in small packets and are generally usable where baseball swing flowers are sold . If used properly , these can draw out the vase life of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just evident pee in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a industrial plant ’s ability to bear photo to an external condition(s ) . It does not stand for that the flora prosper or prefer this situation , but is able to accommodate and keep on its life cycle . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems check numerous buds that will grow and reincarnate a works when energise by pruning . There are three basic types of bud : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal buds are at the hint of twig or outgrowth . They grow to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give hike to a bloom . If you cut the tip of a branch and take away the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side subdivision resulting in a duncical , shaggy plant . Lateral buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the peak of folio attachment . Pruning them encourages the final bud , resulting in a long , fragile branch . torpid buds may remain inactive in the barque or stem and will only acquire after the plant is cut back .
