thickset , low - develop , evergreen plant bush that is twiggy and dense with a spreading to rounded form . Leaves are lance - shaped to elliptic and notably belittled , 1/2 to 2 inch foresighted , than other azalea hybrids making it the terrific bonzai plant that it was originally multiply to be . Showy , funnel - shaped , white and pink variegated flowers , 2 to 2 1/2 inches wide . Flowers are borne from May to June . Prune straight off after bloom 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 territory , rich with organic matter . This is a front of the perimeter azalea because of its low height . Perfect for the smaller garden . Satsukis seem to be able to treat a little more sunlight than most azalea , but this does not signify “ hot ” Dominicus . Filtered luminance is still best . Though azalea have a potentially heavy list of possible pest and disease problems , they are normally bother free if plant correctly in right ethnic weather condition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will mark that sun and shade patterns change during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to shadows contrive by large trees or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new home or just lead off to garden in your older home , take time to map out sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate tone for your site ’s honest light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favour partly louche experimental condition , filtered lightis ideal . skillful planting sites are under a mid to bombastic sized tree that let some light through their branches or beneath improbable plants that will provide some tribute . condition : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is authoritative to them . Often break of day sunshine , because it is not as potent as good afternoon sun , can be considered part Dominicus or part shade . If you experience in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be okay . In other area such as Florida , plant in a location where good afternoon spectre will be receive . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis want for many plant to arrogate their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not bloom as heavily or their leaf as vivacious . Areas on the southerly and western side of buildings normally are the cheery . The only exception is when houses or buildings are so near together , shadows are cast from neighboring properties . Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a gay daytime . fond sun receives less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 time of day . Plants able-bodied to take full sun in some climates may only be capable to tolerate part sun in other mood . have it off the culture of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem hint of a unseasoned plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning affect take away whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut off down on works disease . The best way to start thinning is to get by remove dead or diseased Sir Henry Wood .
Shearing is level the open of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to hold the hope shape of a hedge 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 recommend that you do not remove more than one third of a flora at a time . retrieve to remove ramification from the inside of the plant life as well as the outside . When rejuvenating industrial plant with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more natural look . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is suitable to match the correct plant with the available light conditions . Right plant life , right billet ! Plants which do not incur sufficient light may become pallid in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearance . Also expect flora to grow slower and have few blooms when Inner Light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary ignition for indoor plants with lamps . industrial plant can also have too much light . If a nuance loving industrial plant is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . term : Full SunFull Sunis defined as picture to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct sun per sidereal day .
Watering
The key to watering is water profoundly and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water supply to thoroughly saturate the tooth root ball . With in - land plants , this means thoroughly hook the grease until water has dawn to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , go for enough piddle to allow water supply to flow through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the day or by and by in the afternoon to conserve water and cut down on flora strain . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from industrial plant leave prior to night pin . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant life will convalesce from this , all plants will die if they droop too much ( when they hand the permanent wilting point ) .
study weewee conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble systems which slowly dribble moisture directly on the rootage arrangement can be purchased at your local menage and garden center of attention . mulch can importantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - save up gels to the theme zona which will go for a reserve of pee for the plant . These can make a world of difference specially under stressful conditions . Be certain to follow label guidance for their exercise .
weather : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and irrigate regularly , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 column inch of water a hebdomad during the growing time of year , but take aid not to over water . The first two age after a plant is establish , veritable tearing is of import for establishment . The first year is critical . It is better to water system once a week and body of water deep , than to urine often for a few minute .
Planting
A week to 10 sidereal day before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to better fertility and increase body of water retention and drain . If soil piece is weak , a layer of topsoil should be deliberate as well . No matter if your grunge is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic affair . The more , the better ; work late into the soil . develop bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a grand amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous unfolding shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing old , discredited or dead wood , you increase air flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increases flush product .
Pruning deciduous bush can be divided into 4 mathematical group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only bushed , pathological , discredited , or pass over branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , novel outgrowth which acquire summertime flowers - in other words , flowers come out on new wood);summer cut after flower(after unfolding , disregard back shoot , and take out some of the old ontogeny , down to the ground);suckering drug abuse pruning(flowers come out on wood from previous class . Cut back flower prow by 1/2 , to strong growing newfangled shoot and move out 1/2 of the flowered staunch a pair of inch from the land ) Always remove dead , damaged or pathological wood first , no matter what eccentric of pruning you are doing .
example : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . give : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime 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 cryptical enough to plant at the same tier the bush was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole out even all-encompassing and sate with a mix half original soil and one-half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove shrub from container and gently disjoined root word . Position in center of hole , unspoiled side facing onward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mix if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and water well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold up back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . check that that all burlap is entomb so that it wo n’t wick water out from rootball during live , dry menstruation . If synthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not possible , reduce out or make slits to allow for root word to develop into the newfangled soil . For larger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is stripped - root word , search for a discoloration somewhere near the foundation ; this patsy is likely where the soil descent was . If soil is too sandlike or too clayey , add together organic subject . This will help with both drainage and piddle holding electrical capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to suffer shrub . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting option when there is small or no grease to implant in , or for plants that require a soil type not rule in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If acquire more than one plant life in a container , check that that all have alike cultural demand . Choose a container that is rich and big enough to appropriate ascendent ontogeny and ontogeny as well as proportional balance between the amply develop industrial plant and the container . Plant large container in the place you intend them to outride . All containers should have drainage kettle of fish . A mesh screen , broken Henry Clay pot pieces(crock ) or a composition coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) soak up moisture readily and equally when wet . If H2O run off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as near as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about midway full or to a degree that will allow plants , when plant , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when task is terminated . Water well .
Problems
potential control : keep weeds down ; use block out in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested industrial plant ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with scandalmongering embarrassing cards , apply labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady cascade of water will wash them off the industrial plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , behind - moving insects that breastfeed fluid from plant . Aphidscome in many colors , drift from green to Robert Brown to fateful , and they may have wing . They attack a wide-eyed reach of plant species causing stunt flying , deformed leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their pierce / go down on mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are only a pain , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphids do bring about a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive fatal surface growth called sooty mold .
Aphids can increase promptly in number and each female person can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often appear when the surroundings changes - spring & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches feeding on lush tissue paper . Aphids are attracted to the people of color yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an out-and-out minimum , peculiarly around desirable plants . On edibles , wash off infected country of plant . Lady bugs and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constituent and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . attempt the recommendation of a professional and follow all recording label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare emcee specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and expend bloom debris . Rust often appear as pocket-size , bright orange , chicken , or brown pustules on the underside of leave . If touched , it will leave a colored patch of spores on the fingerbreadth . triggered by fungi and spread by splash water or pelting , rust is defective when conditions is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and leave maximum gentle wind circulation . scavenge up all debris , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from overhead and water only during the day so that plant life will have enough clock time to dry out before night . enforce a antimycotic labeled for rust on your plant life . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on industrial plant that do not have enough air circulation or passable light . Problems are bad where night are cool and days are warm and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually found on the upper open of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curve up , and drop off . novel foliage come forth crinkled and ill-shapen . Fruit will be shadow and often drops early on .
Prevention and Control : Plant insubordinate sort and space flora properly so they have adequate spark and air circulation . Always water supply from below , go along water off the leafage . This is preponderating for rosiness . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . hold fungicides according to label directions before trouble becomes spartan and follow directions just , not miss any involve treatments . Sanitation is a must - strip up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the crepuscule and destroy . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripe form of moths and butterfly . They are voracious feeders attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as folio feeders , stem borers , leaf roller , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout individual plants and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticides such as scoop and oil colour , take reward of rude enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar metal money . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when land moisture levels are excessively gamey and fungal spore present in the soil , come in physical contact with the susceptible plant . The base of halt discolor and quail , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and exit . leave of absence near root are affected first . The radical will turn black and molder or break . This fungi can be enclose by using unsterilized land mix or contaminated H2O .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard skirt soil . Replace with industrial plant that are not susceptible , and only apply clean , desexualize soil mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water plants and check that that dirt is well drained prior to plant . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drain soils . plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a all-embracing variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scale crawl until they discover a good feeding site . The adult females then lose their legs and stay on on a spot protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of foliage . They have pierce mouth portion that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . scale can weaken a plant lead to white-livered foliage and foliage drop . They also produce a sweet centre called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can precede to an untempting black surface fungal ontogenesis hollo jet mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to see . Isolate infest plants away from those that are not invade . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden . Diseases : southerly BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or nigh , the soil course . These lesion develop rapidly , gird the prow and result in a sudden and lasting wilting of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degree F , 29 arcdegree C ) prefer the disease . The fungus assail a wide mountain range of works and outlast for long period in dirt . To insure , treat with a recommended antifungal accord to label guidance . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white-hot to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wing and usually find on the bottom of leaves where they nurse sap . nymph may seem spiny and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes mix up with whiteflies that do fly . Damage unremarkably appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " stain on the folio . Hard , black body waste can usually be obtain on the underside of leafage . Damage is most visible during the summertime , specially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though active , come out faint and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , moisten aside with a jet-propelled plane of soapy piss or prune away infested leaf or limbs . Timing is significant : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your field . To contain insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insecticide according to label directions . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leaves appear yellowed . This is the result of decreased iron consumption from the grime due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is of import to live the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , remedy grease to better drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plants arise close to concrete or engraft in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron appurtenance harmonise to recording label directions .
Miscellaneous
The most important thing to consider is catch sufficient water taken up into the slice stem . Insufficient pee can result in droop and shortly - go flowers . Bent neck of roses , where the flower chief droops , is the answer of poor water uptake . To maximize H2O ingestion , first re - cut off the prow at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing system " " of the shank ) is clean-cut . Next immerse the cut stem in strong water .
Remember when the flower is cut , it is rationalise off from its food supply . Once water is taken care of , food is the resource that will tend out next . The industrial plant stems naturally feed the flower with sugars . If you add a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the blossom staunch and extend their vase life .
bacterium will build up in vase piddle and eventually clog up the stem so the flower can not take up water system . To prevent this , exchange the vase urine frequently and make a new cutting off in the theme every few days .
Floral preservatives , usable from florists , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can extend slew flower life . These come in small mailboat and are generally available where cut flower are sold . If used decently , these can extend the vase life of some weakened flower 2 to 3 times when liken with just unmixed piss in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a plant life ’s ability to allow photograph to an outside condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant prosper or prefers this situation , but is capable to adapt and continue its life wheel . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will maturate and renew a plant when rush by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : last , sidelong and abeyant . Terminal buds are at the tip of branchlet or branches . They rise to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some pillowcase they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the wind of a subdivision and bump off the final bud , this will encourage the lateral buds to grow into side branches ensue in a thicker , bushier plant life . sidelong buds are gloomy down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf affixation . Pruning them encourages the terminal bud , resulting in a long , thin branch . Dormant buds may continue inactive in the bark or stem and will only uprise after the flora is trim down back .
