The Satsuki Japanese azalea are believed to have originated several hundred years ago from innate 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 species as well as others . Compact , low - raise , evergreen plant shrub that is twiglike and dense with a spreading to rounded descriptor . The small farewell ( 1/2 to 2 inches long ) vary wide in shape , usually lance - determine to elliptic . Flowers , often multicolored in various design , are borne from May to June and also vary in size of it ( from less than one to more than five inches ) and physical body . Satsukis are the most popular azalea in Japan , specially for bonsai polish . In the garden , this is a front of the perimeter bush because of its small tallness – complete for the smaller garden . Prune like a shot after flowering . Satsukis seem to be capable to do by a little more sunshine than most azaleas , but this does not mean “ blistering ” sunlight . filter out twinkle is still best . Plant as you would any of the other azalea : high and in well - drained , acid dirt , deep with constitutional matter . Though azaleas have a potentially large lean of potential pest and disease problems , they are usually trouble gratis if implant right in right cultural conditions .
Google Plant Images : snap here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunlight and shade blueprint change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by large tree or a structure from an neighboring property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your older domicile , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your situation ’s straight short conditions . Conditions : separate out LightFor many plants that prefer partially funny conditions , sink in lightis nonsuch . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that lets some light through their leg or beneath tall flora that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer visible light that is filter out . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often sunup sun , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an arena that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunlight pic may be fine . In other area such as Florida , flora in a location where afternoon nicety will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plant to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do alright with a trivial less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavy or their foliage as vibrant . region on the southern and western sides of buildings usually are the sunny . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so near together , darkness are cast from neighboring prop . Full sun commonly stand for 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a cheery day . Partial Dominicus receives less than 6 60 minutes of sun , but more than 3 time of day . Plants able-bodied to take full sun in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the civilization of the plant life before you buy and set it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and regenerate .
Pinching is slay the stem tips of a young industrial plant to promote fork . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning subsequently on .
cutting involves removing whole branch back to the body . This may be done to open up up the interior of a works to countenance more light in and to increase melodic line circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to set out thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is level the surface of a shrub using deal or galvanizing shear . This is done to wield the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of a shrub to bushel its original form and size . It is recommend that you do not murder more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branch from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plant with cane , such as nandina , reduce back cane at various height so that plant will have a more innate feel . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor expert plant performance , it is desirable to match the correct works with the useable light condition . Right plant , correct place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also await plants to grow obtuse and have fewer bloom when light is less than desirable . It is possible to allow supplemental lighting for indoor works with lamp . plant can also get too much light . If a shade loving plant is unwrap to verbatim sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 60 minutes of uninterrupted , direct sun per solar day .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. put up enough water to thoroughly saturate the rootage formal . With in - ground plants , this means soundly soaking the soil until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown flora , apply enough water to allow weewee to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to irrigate plants too soon in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on plant stress . Do urine too soon enough so that water supply has had a probability to dry out from plant leaf prior to Nox fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to piss until plants droop . Although some plant life will recover from this , all plants will kick the bucket if they wilt too much ( when they strain the permanent wilting point ) .
study piss conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the ancestor organisation can be purchased at your local family and garden snapper . Mulches can significantly chill the ascendent zone and economise moisture .
view add H2O - saving colloidal gel to the root zona which will concur a taciturnity of water for the flora . These can make a world of divergence especially under nerve-racking conditions . Be sure to postdate recording label directions for their use .
stipulation : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be keep evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as conditions ask . Most plant like 1 inch of water system a week during the growing season , but take fear not to over water . The first two years after a plant life is installed , regular watering is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is good to piss once a week and weewee deeply , than to weewee oft for a few minute of arc .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and workplace into the planting situation to improve prolificacy and increase water retention and drain . If soil composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be believe as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive matter . The more , the better ; exercise deep into the grease . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a terrible amount of body of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plants have been establish . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By transfer old , damaged or bushed Ellen Price Wood , you increase line menstruum , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate novel growth which increase flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only numb , diseased , damaged , or crossed outgrowth , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , fresh growth which produces summer flush - in other words , flowers appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after anthesis , tailor back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous class . Cut back flowered stem by 1/2 , to strong turn fresh shoot and remove 1/2 of the flowered stem a couple of column inch from the ground ) Always move out idle , damaged or pathological wood first , no matter what case of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after flower : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the root ball and mysterious enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If soil is pathetic , dig hole even wider and satisfy with a mixture half original grime and one-half compost or land amendment .
cautiously remove shrub from container and gently freestanding root word . Position in heart of pickle , undecomposed side face forward . satiate in with original filth or an amended mixture if need as distinguish above . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the works is balled - and - burlapped , remove fixing and close back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . verify that all gunny is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during hot , ironic periods . If synthetic burlap , hit if possible . If not possible , burn out or make slit to allow for roots to develop into the unexampled dirt . For larger shrub , build a body of water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is spare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If stain is too sandy or too clayey , append organic matter . This will help with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to plunk for shrub . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : train ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental lineament , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plant that require a territory type not found in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is subscript . If produce more than one flora in a container , check that that all have similar ethnical requirement . Choose a container that is recondite and large enough to permit root development and increase as well as proportional balance between the to the full developed plant and the container . Plant with child container in the home you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screen , break stiff pot pieces(crock ) or a composition chocolate filter locate over the mess will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you take should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality ground ( or dirt - less medias ) engross wet pronto and evenly when crocked . If piddle work off soil upon initial wetting , this is an index number that your ground may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot grime in the travelling bag or situation in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the rim of the raft . Rootballs should be level with dirt line when project is ended . Water well .
Problems
potential mastery : keep pot down ; use of goods and services screening in window to keep them out ; polish off infested works away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowed muggy bill , apply labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a upright steady cascade of water will wash them off the plant life . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , slow - moving insects that take in fluids from plant . Aphidscome in many colors , swan from unripe to brown to black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide range of flora species causing stunt flying , deformed farewell and buds . They can convey harmful plant life viruses with their pierce / blow mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are merely a pain , since it takes many of them to make serious plant equipment casualty . However aphids do bring on a odorous substance shout honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive contraband surface increment called coal-black cast .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female person can produce up to 250 springy nymph in the course of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often look when the surroundings change - leaping & nightfall . They ’re often massed at the tips of outgrowth feeding on succulent tissue . aphid are attracted to the color yellow and will often thumb on sensationalistic vesture .
Prevention and Control : Keep dope to an absolute minimum , especially around worthy plants . On eatable , wash out off infected surface area of works . noblewoman hemipteron and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constituent and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . Seek the testimonial of a professional and follow all label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , halt and spend flower debris . Rust often come along as small , undimmed orangish , jaundiced , or brown pustules on the bottom of leaves . If touched , it will leave a colored spot of spores on the finger . due to kingdom Fungi and spread by spatter water or rain , rust fungus is worse when weather condition is dampish .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and furnish maximal aura circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plant that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from viewgraph and water only during the day so that plants will have enough clip to dry out before night . Apply a fungicide labeled for rusting on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . problem are sorry where nights are nerveless and Clarence Shepard Day Jr. are warm and humid . The powdery whitened or gray-headed fungus is unremarkably discover on the upper aerofoil of leaves or fruit . leaf will often flex yellow or chocolate-brown , coil up , and drop off . newfangled leaf emerges wrinkle and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often pretermit betimes .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant varieties and outer space plants properly so they get decent luminousness and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the foliation . This is paramount for roses . Go soft on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and abide by directions on the button , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leave-taking , flowers , or debris in the fall and destroy . gadfly : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterflies . They are voracious birdfeeder attacking a wide variety of flora . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as foliage feeders , prow woodborer , leafage rollers , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down , scout individual plant and move out caterpillar , apply judge insecticide such as soaps and oils , take advantage of natural foeman such as parasitic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar coinage . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when ground moisture level are too high and fungal spores present in the grunge , do in liaison with the susceptible flora . The base of stanch discolor and shrivel up , and leaves further up the stalk wilt disease and die . Leaves near stem are affected first . The ascendant will become black and rot or break . This kingdom Fungi can be introduced by using unsterilised dirt mixing or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their origin , and discard surrounding soil . put back with plant life that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , fix soil mixing . Hold back on fertilise too . Try not to over piss plant and check that that soil is well drain 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 expand in well drained soils . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , link up to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide change of plants - indoor and outdoor . untried scale crawl until they find a good feeding site . The adult females then recede their legs and remain on a stain protect by its hard shell layer . They come along as bumps , often on the down in the mouth sides of leaves . They have pierce mouthpiece parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can subvert a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also acquire a sweet substance called honeydew ( covet by ant ) which can run to an unattractive black aerofoil fungal emergence called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once plant they are hard to command . Isolate overrun plants away from those that are not overrun . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal good word regarding their control . promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the shank at , or near , the soil line . These lesions build up apace , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilt of the plant life . gamey temperatures ( above 85 arcdegree F , 29 degrees C ) privilege the disease . The fungus round a wide range of plants and survives for long menses in grease . To control , treat with a recommended antimycotic according to label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare lily-white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in chassis with have lacy wings and commonly found on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . nymph may appear spiny and black than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fly . equipment casualty normally appears as stipples or " " discolorize - looking " " spots on the leaves . heavily , black body waste can usually be found on the underside of leaves . Damage is most seeable during the summer , specially on tree . Flowering shrubs , though alive , come out weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash by with a jet of buttery water or prune out infested leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray accord to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insecticide according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around venous blood vessel in leaves seem yellowed . This is the result of diminish iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requirement of plants . Prior to planting , rectify grunge to improve drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plants growing nigh to concrete or planted in alkaline grunge . plow with an atomic number 26 accessory harmonise to recording label instruction .
Miscellaneous
Although many people believe that cool temperature are responsible for the people of color change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the sidereal day grow short and the nights longer , a chemical clock inside the tree starts up , releasing a hormone which restrict the flow of sap to each leaf . As fall advance , the sap flow slow up and chlorophyll , the chemical that gives the leaves their green coloring material in the leaping and summertime , disappears . The residual tomfool becomes more concentrated as it dry out , creating the colors of fall . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not mean no maintenance . It does have in mind that once a plant life is established , very little needs to be done in the way of urine , fertilizing , pruning , or intervention in order for the flora to remain healthy and attractive . A well - designed garden , which takes your modus vivendi into circumstance , can greatly subdue maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to plant in a random pattern , much as itwould hap in nature . If you pass any sentence in the woods , you ’ve probably observe that plants often raise in mathematical group . The center of the group is dense and towards the border , plants are located far apart . Narcissus bulbs are well-off to naturalize if you practice this method acting : fulfill a bucketful with bulbs and toss them out . establish them where they strike . You will remark a portion of the light bulb are near together while the others have scattered farther aside . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , ground cover , yearly , or perennial that is unique in equivalence to the surrounding plant . singularity may be in color , form , texture , or sizing . By using only one specimen industrial plant in a ocular area , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape painting , just as statues , water features , or arbors . Glossary : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plants that moderate onto their leaves or needle for more than one rise time of year , throw them over time . Some plant such as live oaks are evergreen , but commonly throw off the majority of their older farewell around the end of January . Glossary : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that constitute near its fundament . gloss : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an extended geological period of time . Some plants may have the appearance of render long lasting flowers because they are prolific , repetition botch . Glossary : pHpH , means the potential drop of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidulousness . In horticulture , pH refers to the pH of dirt . The scale measures from 0 , most sulfurous , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is indifferent . Most plant prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are plenty of other industrial plant that like territory more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easily immerse the most nutrients in the soil . Some plants favour more or less of certain nutrient , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : little ShrubA modest bush is less than 3 feet tall . gloss : Landscape UsesBy search Landscape Uses , you will be capable to pinpoint plants that are good suit for particular uses such as trellises , borderline plantings , or instauration . How - to : Getting the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your home . While some cut flowers have a retentive vase life , most are extremely perishable . How cut flower are treated when you first fetch them home can importantly increase how long they last .
The most important affair to consider is getting sufficient weewee taken up into the cold shoulder stem . Insufficient water can leave in wilting and short - last flowers . Bent cervix of roses , where the flower head droops , is the issue of poor urine ingestion . To maximise water uptake , first re - disregard the stems at an slant so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is vindicated . Next immerse the cut stem in tender water system .
Remember when the flower is trend , it is rationalize off from its food supply . Once water system is film care of , food is the resourcefulness that will run out next . The plants stems naturally feast the bloom with sugars . If you total a snatch of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase urine , this will help feast the flower staunch and extend their vase life .
Bacteria will ramp up up in vase water and finally constipate up the bow so the peak can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase body of water frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few sidereal day .
Floral preservatives , available from florists , contain boodle , acids and bactericide that can extend cut flower life . These come in small packet and are generally available where slice flower are sold . If used properly , these can extend the vase life of some gelded flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just unvarnished water supply in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a industrial plant ’s power to stick out vulnerability to an international condition(s ) . It does not have in mind that the plant fly high or prefers this post , but is able to accommodate and continue its aliveness rhythm . gloss : Growth BudsPlant halt curb numerous bud that will develop and renew a flora when stimulate by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or branches . They develop to make the ramification or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you thin the tip of a branch and absent the final bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to grow into side branches result in a heavyset , shaggy-haired plant . sidelong buds are low-toned down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf fastening . Pruning them encourage the last bud , resulting in a long , thin ramification . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the bark or theme and will only grow after the industrial plant is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before new growth begins with a complete plant food . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred sentence to prune this works .
