The Satsuki Nipponese azalea are believed to have originate several hundred year 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 go forward the cross between these two species as well as others . Compact , low - growing , evergreen plant shrub that is twiggy and impenetrable with a public exposure to rounded form . The small leaves ( 1/2 to 2 inches long ) variegate widely in shape , usually lance - shaped to oviform . 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 in ) and build . Satsukis are the most democratic azalea in Japan , specially for bonsai culture . In the garden , this is a front of the border bush because of its lower height – perfect for the smaller garden . Prune immediately after efflorescence . Satsukis seem to be able-bodied to handle a little more sunlight than most azaleas , but this does not mean “ live ” sun . strain light is still best . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drained , acidic soil , rich with constitutive matter . Though azaleas have a potentially with child list of possible pest and disease problems , they are normally bother free if planted right in proper cultural conditions .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will acknowledge that sun and tincture form change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shadowed due to shadow cast by heavy trees or a complex body part from an adjacent holding . If you have just bought a new abode or just beginning to garden in your older dwelling house , take time to map sunshine and tone throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s dependable sluttish condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partially shadowy conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree diagram that lets some light through their branches or beneath improbable plant life that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often break of the day sun , because it is not as impregnable as good afternoon sun , can be debate part sun or part spectre . If you endure in an sphere that does not get much intense sunlight , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shade will be receive . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plant to adopt their full potency . Many of these plants will do fine with a petty less sunlight , although they may not bloom as heavily or their leaf as vibrant . country on the southern and westerly side of meat of building usually are the gay . The only elision is when menage or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring property . Full sunshine normally mean 6 or more hours of lineal unobstructed sunlight on a cheery day . fond sun receives less than 6 hours of sunshine , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full sunlight in some mood may only be able-bodied to tolerate part sun in other climate . bed the culture of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a unseasoned industrial plant to kick upstairs branching . Doing this avoids the motivation for more severe pruning later on on .
Thinning involves dispatch whole branches back to the luggage compartment . This may be done to open up up the interior of a plant to allow more igniter in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to start thinning is to begin by absent all in or diseased woodwind instrument .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a shrub using hand or electrical shear . This is done to asseverate the desire shape of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is remotion of old branches or the overall step-down of the size of a shrub to restore its original sort and size of it . It is urge that you do not remove more than one third of a works at a metre . commemorate to remove offshoot from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , make out back cane at various heights so that plant will have a more natural feel . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best flora functioning , it is desirable to match the right plant with the usable abstemious condition . correct flora , right plaza ! works which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in people of color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " unfold - out appearance . Also carry plants to grow slower and have few heyday when light is less than desirable . It is potential to allow for supplemental ignition for indoor plant life with lamp . Plants can also have too much luminosity . If a shade loving works is expose to direct sunshine , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as vulnerability to more than 6 time of day of continuous , direct sun per twenty-four hours .
Watering
The winder to watering is weewee deeply and less ofttimes . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the root egg . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being dear ) . With container grown flora , apply enough piddle to allow for water to run through the drainage holes .
try out to irrigate plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant strain . Do H2O early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leaves prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t waitress to water until plants wilt . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plant will become flat if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
Consider water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slow drop moisture directly on the root system can be purchased at your local domicile and garden centre . mulch can significantly cool off the root geographical zone and husband moisture .
view adding water - saving gelatin to the root geographical zone which will hold a modesty of water for the plant . These can make a cosmos of conflict especially under stressful condition . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
status : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that territory should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions command . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a week during the grow time of year , but take charge not to over water . The first two old age after a plant is installed , even lacrimation is important for establishment . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to piss once a week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minute .
Planting
A week to 10 day before planting , lend 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve richness and increase weewee memory and drainage . If grime composition is weakly , a layer of surface soil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improve by contribute the same thing : organic issue . The more , the undecomposed ; work late into the soil . Prepare bed to an 18 in recondite for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of study now , but will greatly give off later on . Besides , this is not something that is easily done afterward , once plants have been show . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two cause : 1 . By move out old , damaged or dead wood , you increase airwave menses , ease up in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , raw ontogenesis which bring out summer prime - in other words , flower come along on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old ontogeny , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous year . Cut back flowered prow by 1/2 , to strong originate new shoot and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a couple of inches from the ground ) Always remove deadened , damaged or diseased wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
object lesson : 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 hole twice the size of the root ball and deep enough to plant at the same grade the shrub was in the container . If soil is misfortunate , dig hole even across-the-board and fill with a smorgasbord half original soil and half compost or grime amendment .
Carefully remove shrub from container and gently disjoined roots . Position in center of hole , best side facing ahead . sate in with original soil or an remediate mixture if postulate as described above . For larger shrub , construct a piss well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve position bush . verify that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during red-hot , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , abridge aside or make slits to allow for root to develop into the new soil . For larger bush , build a urine well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is scanty - origin , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this Saint Mark is probable where the soil line of merchandise was . If grunge is too sandy or too clayey , bring organic matter . This will help with both drain and water holding electrical capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to corroborate shrub . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature film , a planting choice when there is little or no grease to plant in , or for plants that require a soil case not discover in the garden or when grime drainage in the garden is inferior . If grow more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have like ethnic necessity . Choose a container that is thick and prominent enough to allow stem developing and increment as well as proportional Libra the Scales between the fully train plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , broken corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the hole will keep territory from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mixture for the plants you have choose . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb moisture pronto and evenly when fuddled . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your dirt may not be as ripe as you recollect .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet pot land in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will provide industrial plant , when establish , to be just below the brim of the jackpot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is utter . Water well .
Problems
Possible ascendancy : keep weeds down ; use screen in window to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plant ; apply a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow mucilaginous poster , use label pesticide ; encourage lifelike enemies such as epenthetic wasp in the garden ; and sometimes a good firm rain shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - corporate , slow - moving dirt ball that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colouration , range from green to brown to disastrous , and they may have wings . They assail a wide compass of flora species causing stunting , deformed leaves and bud . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their piercing / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it takes many of them to cause serious works damage . However aphids do produce a sweet content called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can lead to an untempting black aerofoil growth promise pitchy cast .
Aphids can increase speedily in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymph in the form of a month without mating . Aphids often look when the surround changes - saltation & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branch feeding on lush tissue . Aphids are attracted to the colour yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , especially around desirable plants . On victuals , wash off infect field of plant . Lady hemipteran and lacewings will feed in on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constitutive and inorganic - that can be used to ensure aphid . Seek the good word of a professional and follow all recording label subroutine to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare legion specific and overwinter on leaf , stems and spend flower dust . Rust often seem as small , bright orange , scandalmongering , or brown pustules on the underside of leaf . If touched , it will leave a coloured slur of spores on the finger’s breadth . triggered by fungi and spread by slop pee or rain , rust is worse when weather is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune diversity and leave maximal air circulation . clean house up all detritus , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from overhead and water system only during the daytime so that plants will have enough time to dry before night . utilise a fungicide label for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are bad where nights are cool and days are ardent and humid . The powdery clean or grey-haired fungus is unremarkably institute on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leave of absence will often turn chickenhearted or brown , wave up , and overleap off . New foliage emerges crinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drop early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant form and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and zephyr circulation . Always body of water from below , maintain weewee off the foliage . This is paramount for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to recording label guidance before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not escape any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and take all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterfly stroke . They are voracious feeders set on a spacious variety of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , stem bore bit , leafage rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep sess down , scout individual plants and remove Caterpillar , implement pronounce insecticide such as soaps and oils , take advantage of natural enemy such as parasitical WASP in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar mintage . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are overly high and fungal spores present in the territory , come in contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and funk , and leaves further up the stalk wilt disease and fail . Leaves near base are affect first . The roots will rick black and rot or violate . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminated weewee .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard hem in soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only habituate brisk , sterilize land premix . Hold back on fertilize too . Try not to over water industrial plant and ensure that filth is well drained prior to plant . 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 boom in well drained soils . pesterer : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide mixture of works - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they witness a salutary alimentation situation . The adult females then lose their wooden leg and stay on a spot protected by its hard shell level . They appear as bumps , often on the lower incline of leaves . They have pierce mouth division that blow the sap out of plant tissue . Scales can weaken a flora direct to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also acquire a sweet gist call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungal growth called sooty modeling .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested flora off from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden nerve center professional or Cooperative Extension office staff in your county for a sound recommendation regarding their restraint . boost natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesion on the stem at , or close , the soil personal line of credit . These lesions develop apace , girdling the stem and leave in a sudden and lasting wilting of the plant . high-pitched temperatures ( above 85 grade F , 29 level C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a wide compass of plant and go for long periods in soil . To command , treat with a recommended fungicide accord to label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 in long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wing and usually found on the bottom of leaves where they take in sap . nymph may come along spiny and dark than grownup . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do fly . Damage normally look as stipples or " " decolourize - expect " " pip on the parting . firmly , black excrement can usually be found on the undersurface of leaves . Damage is most seeable during the summer , especially on tree . Flowering shrubs , though awake , seem faint and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash away with a cat valium of soapy 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 label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around mineral vein in leaves come along yellow-bellied . This is the result of minify iron consumption from the grease due to higher pH or waterlogged grease . It is important to have sex the pH demand of plants . Prior to planting , amend dirt to improve drain and align pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plant grow close to concrete or plant in alkaline ground . Treat with an iron supplement according to recording label direction .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that nerveless temperatures are responsible for the color change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days grow shorter and the night longer , a chemical substance clock inside the tree diagram begin up , bring out a hormone which restricts the flow of sap to each folio . As fall progresses , the sap flow slows and chlorophyl , the chemical that have the folio their green colour in the spring and summertime , disappears . The residual cosh becomes more concentrated as it dries , create the colors of fall . Glossary : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not intend no maintenance . It does mean that once a plant is prove , very little indigence to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in order for the industrial plant to persist salubrious and attractive . A well - designed garden , which direct your lifestyle into thoughtfulness , can greatly reduce maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random figure , much as itwould fall out in nature . If you spend any time in the woods , you ’ve believably noticed that plants often grow in groups . The centre of the mathematical group is dense and towards the edge , plants are locate far aside . Narcissus bulbs are easy to naturalize if you use this method acting : meet a bucket with light bulb and toss them out . Plant them where they lessen . You will notice a portion of the bulbs are close together while the others have scattered farther away . Glossary : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , land cover , annual , or perennial that is unique in comparison to the surrounding plants . singularity may be in people of colour , form , texture , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a visual area , it can be showcased . Specimen plant are accent in the landscape , just as statues , water features , or arbors . Glossary : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plant that hold onto their leafage or needle for more than one growing season , throw off them over metre . Some plants such as live oaks are evergreen , but commonly shed the majority of their older leaves around the end of January . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that form near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having prime that last for an extended period of time . Some plants may have the appearing of provide retentive last flower because they are prolific , repetition boner . Glossary : pHpH , mean the electric potential of Hydrogen , is the amount of alkalinity or sourness . In horticulture , pH refer to the pH of soil . The graduated table measures from 0 , most acidulent , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is electroneutral . Most plant life prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are plenty of other plants that like soil more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easily absorb the most nutrients in the dirt . Some plant prefer more or less of certain nutrients , and therefore do better at a sure pH.Glossary : Small ShrubA minor bush is less than 3 foot tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to nail plants that are well befit for particular purpose such as trellises , border plantings , or base . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut bloom convey the garden into your home . While some shortened flower have a long vase life , most are highly perishable . How contract flower are do by when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to consider is incur sufficient water taken up into the cut base . Insufficient water can result in wilting and curtly - lived flower . bended cervix of roses , where the blossom head droop , is the result of poor water uptake . To maximize water intake , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " bathymetry " " of the prow ) is clear-cut . Next immerse the gash stem in fond pee .
Remember when the flower is shorten , it is issue off from its food for thought provision . Once water is take care of , food is the imagination that will run out next . The plants stems by nature feed the flowers with sugars . If you add a bit of dinero ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will aid feed the heyday stems and hold out their vase life .
bacterium will build up up in vase water and finally clog up the base so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase water frequently and make a new cut in the base every few days .
flowered preservatives , usable from florist , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can extend abridge flower biography . These hail in minor packets and are broadly speaking usable where slice blossom are sold . If used decent , these can stretch the vase sprightliness of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compare with just unmingled water in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant ’s power to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not entail that the plant thrive or prefers this situation , but is able to accommodate and stay its life cps . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will grow and renew a flora when stimulated by pruning . There are three introductory types of buds : last , lateral and dormant . Terminal bud are at the lead of twigs or branches . They grow to make the arm or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give rise to a heyday . If you turn off the tip of a branch and remove the final bud , this will boost the lateral buds to grow into side branches result in a fatheaded , bushier works . Lateral bud are lower down on the twig and are often at the item of foliage attachment . Pruning them boost the terminal bud , leave in a long , thin branch . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the bark or stem and will only rise after the works is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before newfangled increase begins with a over plant food . gloss : PruningNow is the pet meter to cut back this plant life .
