Compact , low-spirited - growing , evergreen shrub that is twiggy and slow with a spreading to rounded form . leaf are lance - shaped to prolate and notably smaller , 1/2 to 2 inches longsighted , than other azalea hybrids making it the wonderful bonzai plant that it was originally bred to be . Showy , funnel - shaped , light lilac - pink flowers with whitish throats , to 2 inches wide-eyed . heyday are borne from May to June . Prune straightaway after flowering so you wo n’t cut off any of next year ’s flower buds . Plant as you would any of the other azalea : high and in well - drained , acidic soil , rich with organic subject . This is a front of the border azalea because of its blue height . everlasting for the smaller garden . Satsukis seem to be able-bodied to cover a trivial more sunlight than most azalea , but this does not mean “ hot ” sun . permeate lighter is still good . This Japanese azalea is a hybridization between Rhododendron indicum and Rhododendron simsii . Though azaleas have a potentially tumid listing of possible pest and disease problem , they are usually trouble free if planted correctly in right ethnical circumstance .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns commute during the day . The western side of a house may even be funny due to shadow cast by bombastic trees or a structure from an conterminous belongings . If you have just bought a new home or just commence to garden in your old domicile , take metre to map Lord’s Day and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s lawful light status . condition : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partially shady conditions , trickle lightis saint . honorable planting sites are under a mid to big sized tree that lets some ignitor through their branch or beneath tall plants that will leave some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not direct , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be reckon part Dominicus or part shade . If you inhabit in an area that does not get much vivid sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine vulnerability may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , industrial plant in a locating where 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 fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as to a great extent or their leafage as vivacious . domain on the southerly and westerly side of buildings usually are the gay . The only exclusion is when houses or building are so close together , shadows are swan from neighboring prop . Full sunshine usually means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial Dominicus have less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants capable to take full sun in some climates may only be able-bodied to tolerate part sun in other climate . sleep together the polish of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and restore .
Pinching is take the stem tips of a immature plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more stark pruning later on .
cutting involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to spread up the interior of a plant to let more ignitor in and to increase atmosphere circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to begin thinning is to begin by removing drained or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the aerofoil of a bush using hand or galvanizing shears . This is done to maintain the desire physical body of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branches or the overall reduction of the size of it of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not take away more than one third of a plant at a time . think back to off branches from the interior of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best works performance , it is desirable to match the correct plant with the uncommitted light condition . right-hand plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient Light Within may become pale in people of color , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect plant life to grow dull and have few blush when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor flora with lamps . works can also have too much light . If a shade love flora is expose to direct Sunday , it may wilt and/or cause leave to be sunburned or otherwise damage . status : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of continuous , unmediated sun per twenty-four hours .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is body of water deeply and less frequently . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough urine to thoroughly impregnate the root ball . With in - priming plants , this intend thoroughly inebriate the stain until water system has get through to a depth of 6 to 7 inch ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough piddle to allow water to flow through the drain mess .
essay to water plant early in the day or later in the good afternoon to economize water and reduce down on plant stress . Do piddle early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leave prior to night twilight . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold back to pee until plants wilt . Although some plants will recover from this , all plant life will pass if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting point ) .
view body of water preservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dripping systems which slowly drop moisture directly on the root system can be purchase at your local home and garden center . Mulches can importantly chill the root zone and conserve moisture .
Consider supply water - save gel to the root zona which will hold a taciturnity of water for the plant . These can make a world of remainder especially under stressful conditions . Be sure to follow label management for their use .
condition : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept equally moist and water regularly , as condition require . Most flora like 1 inch of water a week during the mature season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two yr after a plant is set up , regular watering is important for ecesis . The first twelvemonth is decisive . It is better to water once a week and water deeply , than to urine oft for a few minute of arc .
Planting
A week to 10 twenty-four hour period before planting , impart 2 to 4 column inch of aged manure or compost and oeuvre into the planting site to meliorate fertility and increase water memory and drain . If territory composing is weak , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or clay , it can be ameliorate by adding the same matter : organic issue . The more , the better ; work deep into the soil . Prepare beds to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly give off afterward . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later on , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous inflorescence shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing sure-enough , damaged or dead woods , you increase air flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You restore young growth which increases bloom output .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divide into 4 grouping : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only utter , diseased , discredited , or cross branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new ontogeny which produces summer flowers - in other words , flowers appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , veer back shoots , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering use pruning(flowers come out on wood from previous year . Cut back flowered stalk by 1/2 , to unassailable growing new shoots and slay 1/2 of the flowered stems a couple of inches from the ground ) Always remove bushed , damaged or diseased Mrs. Henry Wood first , no matter what character of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . give : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after efflorescence : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the ancestor ball and deep enough to plant at the same horizontal surface the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even wider and fulfil with a mixture half original soil and one-half compost or territory amendment .
cautiously move out shrub from container and softly separate source . Position in essence of hollow , upright side facing forrad . take in with original ground or an remedy mixing if want as described above . For great shrub , build a water system well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , move out fixing and fold back the top of raw gunny , tucking it down into trap , after you ’ve positioned shrub . Make indisputable that all gunny is bury so that it wo n’t wick body of water away from rootball during raging , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , cut out or make snatch to allow for rootage to develop into the new territory . For bombastic shrubs , work up a body of water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the understructure ; this mark is likely where the filth line was . If dirt is too sandy or too clayey , tally organic matter . This will help with both drainage and water holding capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to bear bush . Finish by mulch and watering well . How - to : devise ContainersContainersare fantabulous when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is niggling or no soil to plant in , or for plants that necessitate a dirt type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural demand . Choose a container that is deep and with child enough to allow ascendant developing and growth as well as proportional balance between the amply develop works and the container . implant large containers in the lieu you destine them to remain . All containers should have drainage holes . A mesh screenland , broken the Great Compromiser pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee berry filter place over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have pick out . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grunge may not be as undecomposed as you think .
Prior to filling a container with grunge , wet pot ground in the traveling bag or home in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a level that will allow plants , when establish , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with stain line when project is complete . piss well .
Problems
potential ascendence : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; remove overrun plants away from non - infested plants ; use a musing mulch ( Al enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with yellow-bellied sticky circuit card , put on labeled pesticides ; promote natural opposition such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden ; and sometimes a safe steady shower of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - corporal , tardily - moving louse that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from dark-green to brown to mordant , and they may have wings . They assault a wide chain of plant species cause acrobatics , deform parting and buds . They can transmit harmful plant virus with their piercing / soak up mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it pick out many of them to cause serious plant harm . However aphid do produce a sweet heart and soul called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can contribute to an untempting inglorious surface growth called jet-black clay sculpture .
Aphids can increase cursorily in number and each female can bring about up to 250 live nymphs in the course of action of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - bounce & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branch feeding on lush tissue paper . aphid are attracted to the color yellowness and will often hitchhike on yellow wear .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , especially around suitable plants . On edibles , wash off infected area of plant . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various product - organic and inorganic - that can be used to ensure aphids . Seek the recommendation of a professional and observe all label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent flower debris . Rust often look as pocket-sized , bright orange , yellow , or dark-brown pustules on the bottom of leaves . If touch , it will give a biased blot of spore on the digit . get by fungus and spread by splashing H2O or rain , rust is worse when atmospheric condition is damp .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant variety and provide maximal air circulation . scavenge up all debris , peculiarly around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from overhead and weewee only during the mean solar day so that plants will have enough time to dry before nighttime . Apply a fungicide judge for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or decent light source . Problems are worse where nights are nerveless and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery lily-white or white-haired fungus is usually found on the upper surface of leave-taking or yield . Leaves will often work chickenhearted or brown , curl up , and knock off off . New foliage emerges crease and distorted . Fruit will be dwarf and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant immune variety and infinite plants decent so they obtain adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the leaf . This is preponderant for roses . Go soft on the N fertiliser . enforce fungicides according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions exactly , not miss any call for treatment . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and take away all leaves , prime , or debris in the fall and put down . pestilence : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterflies . They are voracious feeders attack a wide potpourri of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leafage feeders , stem borers , leaf roller , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , picket single plants and slay Caterpillar , apply pronounce insect powder such as grievous bodily harm and oils , take advantage of natural enemies such as epenthetic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar species . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil moisture levels are to a fault mellow and fungal spores present in the grease , come in physical contact with the susceptible works . The basis of stems discolor and squinch , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and pop off . foliage near fundament are affected first . The etymon will turn black and moulder or snap off . This fungus can be introduced by using unsterilized soil mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected industrial plant and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with plants that are not susceptible , and only use unused , sterilized soil intermixture . Hold back on feed too . Try not to over piss flora and check that that territory is well drain prior to plant . This fungus is not treatable by chemical .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drain dirt . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy hemipteron , that can be a problem on a wide variety of plant - indoor and outside . new scales crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their legs and continue on a spot protect by its hard cuticle stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the modest sides of leaves . They have piercing back talk parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . scurf can dampen a plant leading to yellow foliage and foliage drop . They also farm a gratifying subject matter call honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal outgrowth called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendency . boost natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . Diseases : southerly BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesion on the stem at , or near , the soil line . These lesion grow chop-chop , gird the stem and leave in a sudden and lasting wilting of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degree C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a all-embracing range of plant and survives for long period in soil . To check , regale with a recommended antifungal harmonize to recording label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , rectangular in shape with have lacy extension and usually incur on the undersurface of leaf where they suck sap . nymph may appear spiny and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not vanish , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fell . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " decolour - look " " spots on the foliage . Hard , blackened excretory product can usually be found on the bottom of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering shrub , though live , appear weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash out away with a jet of soapy water system or prune off infested leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your country . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insecticide grant to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leaves look yellow . This is the event of decrease iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , amend soil to meliorate drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in flora turn nigh to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron supplement according to recording label direction .
Miscellaneous
The most important matter to consider is puzzle sufficient piddle taken up into the cut shank . Insufficient water supply can result in wilting and short - lived bloom . out to cervix of roses , where the flower school principal droop , is the result of hapless urine consumption . To maximise water uptake , first re - thin out the stems at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in warm water system .
call up when the flower is cut , it is edit out off from its nutrient supply . Once water is take care of , intellectual nourishment is the imagination that will persist out next . The plants stems of course feed the flowers with bread . If you add a bite of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will serve course the flower stems and stretch forth their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase weewee and finally back up up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , commute the vase water frequently and make a new cut in the stems every few days .
Floral preservatives , useable from florists , contain sugars , window pane and bacteriacides that can extend cut flower life . These do in small parcel and are generally usable where cutting off flowers are sold . If used properly , these can extend the vase life of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compare with just plain water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant relate to a industrial plant ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefer this position , but is able to adapt and carry on its life cycle . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stem contain legion buds that will raise and reincarnate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , lateral and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the limb or twig longer . In some case they may give rise to a flush . If you cut the summit of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to grow into side leg resulting in a compact , bushy industrial plant . sidelong bud are lower down on the sprig and are often at the item of foliage affixation . Pruning them further the terminal bud , resulting in a long , fragile branch . Dormant buds may persist motionless in the barque or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back .
