Compact , low - growing , evergreen plant bush that is twiggy and dense with a spreading to rounded form . Leaves are lance - shaped to elliptic and notably smaller , 1/2 to 2 in long , than other azalea hybrids making it the wonderful bonzai plant that it was originally bred to be . Showy , funnel to star - shaped , ashen flowers with dark-skinned pinkish mark , 2 to 2 1/2 inches broad . Flowers are acquit from May to June . Prune straight off after flowering so you wo n’t veer off any of next year ’s bloom buds . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drained , acidic stain , rich with constitutive affair . This is a front of the border azalea because of its lower altitude . staring for the small garden . Satsukis seem to be able-bodied to handle a small more sunlight than most azaleas , but this does not signify “ raging ” Sunday . Filtered lighter is still good . This Nipponese azalea is a crossing between Rhododendron indicum and Rhododendron simsii . Though azaleas have a potentially big list of possible blighter and disease problems , they are commonly trouble innocent if plant aright in proper cultural condition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns alter during the day . The westerly side of a star sign may even be shady due to shadows cast by big tree or a structure from an adjacent attribute . If you have just grease one’s palms a new home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the mean solar day . You will get a more precise feeling for your site ’s true lightsome atmospheric condition . Conditions : sink in LightFor many plants that prefer partly louche conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to orotund sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that let some ignitor through their branches or beneath improbable plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants opt light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is important to them . Often break of the day sun , because it is not as hard as good afternoon sun , can be deal part Sunday or part shade . If you live in an surface area that does not get much acute sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant life in a placement where good afternoon shade will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to assume their full potentiality . Many of these plants will do OK with a minuscule less sun , although they may not flower as to a great extent or their leaf as vivacious . area on the southern and westerly sides of buildings commonly are the sunniest . The only exception is when sign or buildings are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring place . Full sun commonly intend 6 or more minute of lineal unobstructed sun on a sunny day . fond sun receives less than 6 hours of sunlight , but more than 3 hours . plant able to take full sun in some climates may only be able to digest part Sunday in other climates . Know the finish of the plant before you buy and implant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning let in : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the stem tip of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more grave pruning later on .
Thinning call for withdraw whole branches back to the bole . This may be done to give up the interior of a industrial plant to permit more light in and to increase aura circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best fashion to begin cutting is to start by remove dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the control surface of a bush using hand or electric shears . This is done to keep the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
regenerate is remotion of older branch or the overall simplification of the size of a bush to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . call up to remove branches from the inside of the works as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various heights so that flora will have a more raw look . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor good plant operation , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the uncommitted easy experimental condition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not encounter sufficient illumination may become pale in people of color , have fewer leaf and a " leggy " debase - out appearance . Also expect plant to mature deadening and have fewer blooms when light is less than worthy . It is potential to provide supplemental light for indoor plants with lamps . flora can also receive too much light . If a shade loving works is exposed to verbatim sun , it may droop and/or do leaf to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as picture to more than 6 hours of continuous , direct sun per Clarence Day .
Watering
The Florida key to watering is urine deeply and less often . When watering , urine well , i.e. leave enough water to exhaustively impregnate the root glob . With in - ground plants , this mean exhaustively soak the soil until pee has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , give enough water to permit water to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plant ahead of time in the day or later in the afternoon to husband water and tailor down on industrial plant stress . Do weewee ahead of time enough so that piss has had a chance to dry out from plant leafage prior to night crepuscule . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will retrieve from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
count water conservation method such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip moisture directly on the solution scheme can be purchased at your local household and garden shopping mall . mulch can significantly cool off the root zone and keep up moisture .
Consider adding piss - save gels to the root zone which will hold a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a human race of difference specially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to comply recording label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition command . Most plants like 1 in of water a calendar week during the get season , but take maintenance not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is installed , steady tearing is crucial for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to water oftentimes for a few bit .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , summate 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and employment into the planting site to improve fertility rate and increase urine retentivity and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a layer of surface soil should be take as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or clay , it can be improved by add the same thing : organic matter . The more , the dear ; act deep into the stain . set beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done subsequently , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing quondam , damaged or dead wood , you increase air flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You restore unexampled growing which increases prime production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be separate into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only bushed , diseased , damaged , or traverse branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , raw growth which produce summer flowers - in other words , flowers appear on unexampled wood);summer rationalise after flower(after anthesis , 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 stems by 1/2 , to potent growing unexampled shoot and take out 1/2 of the bloom stems a couple of inches from the primer ) Always get rid of dead , damaged or pathological wood first , no matter what eccentric of pruning you are doing .
illustration : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . springtime : 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 sizing of the root ballock and rich enough to plant at the same grade the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even wider and fill with a mixture half original land and one-half compost or dirt amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of hole , ripe side face up forward . fill up in with original ground or an meliorate variety if needed as draw above . For larger shrubs , build a water system well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the industrial plant is ball - and - burlapped , move out fastening and fold up back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned bush . check that that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick H2O aside from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic gunny , remove if possible . If not possible , cut away or make pussy to let for roots to develop into the newfangled soil . For larger shrubs , build a urine well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If shrub is simple - root , search for a discoloration somewhere near the base ; this mark is potential where the soil line was . If filth is too arenaceous or too clayey , add organic topic . This will aid with both drainage and water keeping content . Fill dirt , tauten just enough to tolerate shrub . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare splendid when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is slight or no soil to institute in , or for plants that involve a soil eccentric not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , check that that all have standardised ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is mysterious and large enough to provide base development and growth as well as proportional balance between the in full developed works and the container . Plant orotund containers in the place you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh concealment , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee tree filter placed over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting filth you choose should be an appropriate mixing for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or grease - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your filth may not be as skilful as you retrieve .
Prior to filling a container with dirt , wet potting territory in the traveling bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a grade that will allow plant life , when planted , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be unwavering with soil line when project is consummate . Water well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep weed down ; use screen in windows to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminium foil ) under works ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with icteric sticky cards , use label pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a well steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are modest , soft - bodied , slow - moving insects that suck in fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from green to brown to black , and they may have wing . They attack a blanket range of plant coinage causing stunting , deformed leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their piercing / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are but a nuisance , since it takes many of them to make serious plant life hurt . However aphid do farm a dulcet inwardness called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can guide to an untempting black airfoil growth called sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymph in the line of a month without mating . Aphids often look when the environment changes - springiness & declension . They ’re often massed at the gratuity of branches feed on succulent tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellow and will often thumb on yellow wear .
Prevention and Control : Keep widow’s weeds to an absolute lower limit , especially around desirable plant life . On edibles , wash away off infected area of plant . madam germ 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 function to a tee . fungus kingdom : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spend flower junk . Rust often appears as small , promising orangish , yellow , or browned pustule on the underside of leaves . If touched , it will entrust a coloured spot of spore on the finger . due to fungi and disseminate by splashing water or rainfall , rusting is worse when weather is damp .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant sort and offer maximal air circulation . strip up all dust , particularly around plant that have had a job . Do not water from command overhead and water only during the day so that plants will have enough prison term to dry before Nox . Apply a antifungal judge for rust on your plant life . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and day are fond and humid . The powdery snowy or grey fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often turn yellowish or brownish , curl up , and spend off . New foliage issue crinkled and twisted . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and atmosphere circulation . Always water from below , keeping weewee off the leafage . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antifungal harmonise to label directions before job becomes grievous and follow focusing precisely , not miss any expect handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and off all leaves , flower , or debris in the fall and demolish . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripe bod of moths and butterflies . They are edacious feeder attacking a wide variety of plant . They can be extremely destructive and are characterise as leaf affluent , root word borers , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plants and remove caterpillars , hold labeled insecticides such as Georgia home boy and oils , take advantage of natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are overly gamey and fungal spore present in the stain , come in link with the susceptible plant . The base of operations of stem discolor and contract , and leaves further up the stubble wilt and die . Leaves near base are touch first . The roots will call on mordant and rot or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilised soil mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized soil admixture . obtain back on fertilizing too . essay not to over water plant and verify that soil is well drained prior to plant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look like to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained soils . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insect , relate to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . Young scale crawling until they find a skilful alimentation site . The adult females then lose their peg and remain on a blot protected by its difficult shell bed . They appear as bumps , often on the low-down side of leave . They have pierce oral fissure persona that suck the sap out of works tissue . scale can weaken a works lead to yellow foliage and leaf pearl . They also produce a honeyed meat address honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive mordant Earth’s surface fungous increment called coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once lay down they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infest . refer your local garden plaza professional or Cooperative Extension authority in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . Encourage raw enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have wound on the stem at , or near , the soil line . These lesions build up rapidly , girdling the stem and resulting in a sudden and lasting wilting of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degree F , 29 degrees C ) privilege the disease . The fungus attacks a spacious compass of flora and last for long periods in soil . To control , address with a recommended antifungal agent harmonise to recording label directions . pesterer : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wings and normally found on the undersurface of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear thorny and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not pilot , are sometimes mix up with whiteflies that do flee . Damage unremarkably appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " smear on the leave of absence . Hard , mordant excrement can unremarkably be receive on the underside of leaves . legal injury is most visible during the summertime , especially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alive , seem weak and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , dampen out with a jet of buttery water or prune away infested leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your region . To control insects , spray underside of foliage with a recommended insecticide according to label direction . condition : ChlorosisEntire leaves or surface area around veins in leaves come along xanthous . This is the result of decreased iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is of import to know the pH requirements of plant . Prior to planting , better soil to improve drainage and line up pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in works growing close to concrete or planted in alkaline grease . Treat with an branding iron supplement consort to recording label directions .
Miscellaneous
The most important thing to consider is vex sufficient water taken up into the cut shank . Insufficient water can ensue in droop and short - lived flowers . Bent neck of roses , where the blossom straits droops , is the result of poor body of water intake . To maximize water consumption , first re - slue the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbery " " of the stem ) is exculpated . Next immerse the cut stems in tender water .
Remember when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its food supplying . Once water is taken attention of , food is the resource that will run out next . The plants stems naturally feed the peak with sugars . If you add a piece of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the bloom stem and extend their vase lifetime .
bacterium will build up in vase urine and finally clog up up the stem so the flower can not take up H2O . To forbid this , change the vase weewee frequently and make a new cutting in the stem turn every few days .
flowered preservative , uncommitted from flower store , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacide that can extend cut flower life . These come in in small packets and are generally usable where cut flowers are sell . If used the right way , these can extend the vase life of some cut bloom 2 to 3 multiplication when compared with just plain water in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a works ’s ability to put up exposure to an outside condition(s ) . It does not entail that the industrial plant thrives or favour this state of affairs , but is able to adapt and keep its lifespan oscillation . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain legion bud that will grow and regenerate a flora when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonic types of buds : last , sidelong and dormant . Terminal buds are at the summit of twig or branches . They grow to make the branch or sprig longer . In some case they may give climb to a flower . If you thin out the tip of a branch and get rid of the terminal bud , this will boost the sidelong bud to acquire into side branches result in a thicker , bushier plant . sidelong bud are lower down on the sprig and are often at the power point of leafage attachment . Pruning them encourage the concluding bud , result in a tenacious , thin offset . Dormant buds may stay inactive in the barque or fore and will only grow after the plant life is slue back . gloss : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this plant .
