The Satsuki Japanese azalea are believed to have rise several hundred year ago from natural crosses between R. indicum and R. tamarae . ( R. tamarae was formerly get laid as R. eriocarpum and before that as R. simsii var . eriocarpum . ) afterward , horticulturists continued the crosses between these two species as well as others . Compact , low - growing , evergreen plant shrub that is twiglike and dense with a spreading to rounded grade . The small leave ( 1/2 to 2 inch long ) vary widely in configuration , commonly fishgig - shaped to elliptical . Flowers , often multicolored in various patterns , are borne from May to June and also vary in size ( from less than one to more than five inch ) and bod . Satsukis are the most democratic azalea in Japan , peculiarly for bonsai acculturation . In the garden , this is a front of the delimitation shrub because of its gloomy height – pure for the smaller garden . Prune immediately after flowering . Satsukis seem to be able to treat a little more sunlight than most azalea , but this does not stand for “ live ” sun . Filtered lighter is still well . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : eminent and in well - drain , acidic soil , rich with organic thing . Though azaleas have a potentially large list of possible pest and disease problems , they are usually worry innocent if institute right in right cultural precondition .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will find that Lord’s Day and shade rule alter during the day . The western side of a house may even be shady due to apparition hurtle by large trees or a social organization from an contiguous property . If you have just bought a unexampled home or just beginning to garden in your older home , take metre to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your situation ’s true light conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that opt partially fishy conditions , filtered lightis saint . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that permit some light through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will put up some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer spark that is separate out . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sunshine exposure may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a localization where afternoon shade will be incur . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plant to assume their full potential . Many of these works will do finely with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as to a great extent or their foliage as vibrant . field on the southerly and westerly side of construction commonly are the sunniest . The only exclusion is when houses or buildings are so close together , vestige are shed from neighboring properties . Full sun usually means 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a sunny day . Partial Lord’s Day receives less than 6 60 minutes of sun , but more than 3 hr . flora able-bodied to take full sun in some climate may only be able to tolerate part Lord’s Day in other climates . Know the culture of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tip of a young industrial plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning after on .
cutting involve remove whole ramification back to the torso . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more brightness in and to increase breeze circulation that can burn down on plant disease . The in force way to begin thinning is to set about by dispatch beat or pathological wood .
Shearing is level the control surface of a shrub using hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old limb or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a meter . Remember to remove branches from the inside of the plant life as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back cane at various high so that plant will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant carrying into action , it is suitable to agree the right plant with the available promiscuous status . Right plant , right spot ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pale in color , have few leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also expect plant life to grow slower and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplementary light for indoor plant with lamps . Plants can also have too much light . If a tad loving plant is reveal to direct sunshine , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis delineate as photo to more than 6 hours of continuous , lineal sunlight per day .
Watering
The key to watering is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , body of water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly impregnate the stem ball . With in - ground plants , this mean soundly soaking the grunge until water has penetrated to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water system to admit water to flow through the drainage holes .
seek to water plants ahead of time in the mean solar day or by and by in the good afternoon to economize water supply and abbreviate down on plant stress . Do water system early enough so that H2O has had a fortune to dry from plant leaf prior to dark fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to water until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting full stop ) .
view water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mould systems which slow drip wet straight off on the root system can be purchased at your local plate and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root geographical zone and maintain moisture .
look at adding body of water - saving gels to the antecedent zone which will hold a military reserve of water system for the plant life . These can make a humanity of difference especially under stressful conditions . Be certain to pursue recording label direction for their exercise .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that ground should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as conditions require . Most plants like 1 inch of piddle a week during the growing time of year , but take attention not to over piss . The first two age after a plant is installed , regular watering is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is well to water once a hebdomad and water deeply , than to water often for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting web site to improve fertility and increase water supply retentiveness and drainage . If soil composition is rickety , a layer of topsoil should be look at as well . No matter if your soil is George Sand or the Great Compromiser , it can be better by adding the same matter : organic thing . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . ready bed to an 18 inch bass for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous inflorescence shrubfor two reasonableness : 1 . By removing old , damaged or numb wood , you increase air flow , yielding in less disease . 2 . You restore new growth which increase blossom output .
Pruning deciduous bush can be separate into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , diseased , discredited , or crossed branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , unexampled growth which produces summer flowers - in other run-in , flowers come along on new wood);summer cut after flower(after flowering , cut back shoots , and take out some of the one-time growth , down to the ground);suckering riding habit pruning(flowers come out on wood from premature yr . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to secure get new shoots and remove 1/2 of the flower stem a twosome of inch from the soil ) Always off dead , damaged or diseased 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 globe and deep enough to institute at the same level the shrub was in the container . If soil is wretched , dig hole even wide and sate with a smorgasbord half original soil and half compost or soil amendment .
cautiously remove shrub from container and mildly separate solution . Position in center of hole , good side face forward . Fill in with original dirt or an amend mix if need as describe above . For bigger shrub , work up a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the works is balled - and - burlapped , remove fasteners and fold back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . ensure that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick body of water off from rootball during raging , juiceless geological period . If semisynthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not possible , cut aside or make slits to set aside for roots to develop into the new soil . For larger shrubs , work up a pee well . Finish by mulch and irrigate well .
If shrub is bare - root word , look for a discolouration somewhere near the base ; this scrape is potential where the soil line was . If soil is too sandy or too clayey , add organic matter . This will aid with both drain and water retention capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to sustain shrub . Finish by mulching and water well . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting pick when there is small or no land to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not feel in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one works in a container , make trusted that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is thick and bombastic enough to allow radical evolution and growth as well as proportional balance between the amply develop industrial plant and the container . institute large containers in the stead you intend them to stay . All containers should have drainage hole . A mesh screen , break remains pot pieces(crock ) or a theme coffee berry filter post over the hollow will keep soil from washing out . The potting ground you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grime may not be as undecomposed as you guess .
Prior to filling a container with land , wet potting stain in the bag or place in a bath or lawn cart so that it is equally moist . Fill container about midway full or to a spirit level that will set aside plant , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be plane with stain blood when labor is gross . Water well .
Problems
Possible controls : keep grass down ; use screening in windowpane to keep them out ; remove infest plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; ambush with yellow sticky cards , enforce labeled pesticide ; encourage natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady exhibitioner of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are modest , cushy - bodied , slow - move dirt ball that fellate fluid from works . Aphidscome in many color , graze from light-green to brownness to black , and they may have extension . They attack a wide range of plant species causing stunting , deform leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful industrial plant computer virus with their pierce / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a pain , since it takes many of them to induce serious industrial plant damage . However aphids do produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can precede to an untempting black open growth called jet-black clay sculpture .
Aphids can increase quickly in numeral and each female can produce up to 250 lively houri in the course of a month without union . Aphids often appear when the environment change - outpouring & fall . They ’re often mass at the tip of branches feed on succulent tissue . aphid are attracted to the colouring yellowness and will often hitchhike on xanthous vesture .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , peculiarly around suitable plants . On edibles , wash away off infected field of flora . gentlewoman bugs and lacewings will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . try the recommendation of a professional and follow all recording label procedures to a golf tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare master of ceremonies specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spent flower dust . Rust often appear as small , bright orange , sensationalistic , or brown pustule on the underside of leaves . If touch , it will leave a colored spot of spore on the finger . triggered by fungi and spread by sprinkle water or rainfall , rust is worse when weather is dampish .
Prevention and Control : implant tolerant varieties and supply maximum atmosphere circulation . Clean up all detritus , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from overhead and piss only during the day so that plant will have enough clock time to dry out before Nox . enforce a fungicide labeled for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis commonly find on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or adequate lighter . problem are bad where nights are nerveless and days are fond and humid . The powdery white or gray fungus is usually rule on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . Leaves will often grow yellow or brown , curl up , and flatten off . New leaf egress crease and perverted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops betimes .
Prevention and Control : found resistant varieties and space plants in good order so they have adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping water off the leafage . This is paramount for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . utilise fungicide according to label directions before problem becomes severe and follow directions precisely , not omit any demand treatments . Sanitation is a must - cleanse up and remove all leaf , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . gadfly : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the unripe class of moth and butterfly . They are rapacious feeders attacking a wide variety of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as leaf feeders , root word rock drill , folio rollers , cutworms and tent - formers .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , watch individual plants and take out caterpillar , apply judge insecticide such as soap and petroleum , take advantage of natural enemies such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar specie . disease : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when dirt moisture point are excessively high and fungous spore present in the territory , hail in contact with the susceptible plant . The base of halt discolor and cringe , and leaves further up the stalking wilting and die . Leaves near base are move first . The origin will change by reversal dark and waste or break . This kingdom Fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized territory mix or contaminated body of water .
Prevention and ControlRemove bear on plants and their roots , and discard surrounding soil . Replace with industrial plant that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized stain mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over pee plants and ensure that territory is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look standardised to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drain soils . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , relate to mealy bug , that can be a problem on a wide of the mark assortment of plants - indoor and out-of-door . vernal surmount crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup female person then turn a loss their legs and remain on a smear protect by its hard shell stratum . They seem as hump , often on the low sides of leaves . They have pierce mouth parts that suck the sap out of works tissue . scale can step down a plant leading to yellow foliage and leafage drop . They also produce a sweet meaning called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black control surface fungal ontogeny call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to keep in line . Isolate infested plants forth from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual testimonial regarding their restraint . Encourage innate enemy such as parasitic wasp in the garden . Diseases : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or dear , the soil line . These lesions develop rapidly , girdling the base and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilt of the plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favour the disease . The fungus attacks a wide range of plants and subsist for long full point in soil . To control , treat with a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions . plague : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 column inch long , orthogonal in flesh with have lacy wings and unremarkably constitute on the underside of leaves where they suck sap . houri may appear spiny and blue than adults . Lacebugs , which do not take flight , are sometimes confuse with whiteflies that do fly . terms unremarkably appear as stipples or " " decolorise - wait " " blot on the leave of absence . heavily , calamitous excrement can usually be found on the underside of leaves . Damage is most seeable during the summer , specially on trees . Flowering shrubs , though alert , come along weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If plague is mild , rinse off with a jet of soapy urine or prune away infested leaves or limb . Timing is important : spray concord to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a recommended insect powder allot to recording label focus . consideration : ChlorosisEntire leaves or area around veins in leave look yellow . This is the outcome of decreased iron uptake from the soil due to eminent pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to make out the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , remediate territory to improve drain and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plants develop closely to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an branding iron supplement agree to label commission .
Miscellaneous
Although many masses believe that cooler temperatures are responsible for for the people of color change , the weather has nothing to do with it at all . As the days uprise shorter and the Nox longer , a chemical clock inside the trees set out up , releasing a endocrine which restricts the rate of flow of sap to each leafage . As pin progression , the sap flow slack and chlorophyll , the chemical that gives the leaves their dark-green color in the spring and summer , disappears . The residual sap becomes more concentrated as it dries , create the colors of downslope . gloss : Low MaintenanceLow maintenancedoes not imply no care . It does mean that once a plant is establish , very footling penury to be done in the way of water , fertilizing , pruning , or treatment in ordination for the plant to remain healthy and attractive . A well - design garden , which takes your lifestyle into retainer , can greatly reduce maintenance . Glossary : NaturalizingNaturalizingrefers to planting in a random pattern , much as itwould occur in nature . If you spend any time in the forest , you ’ve likely notice that plant often develop in groups . The core of the chemical group is dense and towards the edge , plants are locate farther aside . Narcissus bulbs are easy to tame if you apply this method : fulfill a bucket with bulbs and thresh them out . Plant them where they decrease . You will observe a portion of the medulla are close together while the others have scatter farther aside . gloss : SpecimenAspecimencan be a tree , shrub , ground cover , annual , or recurrent that is unique in compare to the surrounding plants . singularity may be in color , class , grain , or size . By using only one specimen plant in a visual area , it can be showcased . Specimen plants are accents in the landscape painting , just as statue , urine features , or arbors . Glossary : EvergreenEvergreenrefers to plants that hold onto their leave-taking or needles for more than one growing season , pour forth them over time . Some plant life such as live oaks are evergreen , but commonly cast off the majority of their onetime foliage around the final stage of January . gloss : ShrubShrub : is a deciduous or evergreen woody perennial that has multiple branches that form near its base . Glossary : Long LastingLong Lasting : having blossoms that last for an extended point of time . Some plants may have the appearing of providing long lasting flowers because they are fertile , repetition bloomers . Glossary : pHpH , means the electric potential of Hydrogen , is the measure of alkalinity or acidulousness . In gardening , pH mention to the pH of ground . The shell measures from 0 , most acid , to 14 , most alkaline . Seven is neutral . Most plants prefer a range between 5.5 and about 6.7 , an acid range , but there are plenitude of other plant that like stain more alkaline , or above 7 . A pH of 7 is where the plant can most easily absorb the most food in the soil . Some plant life prefer more or less of certain nutrients , and therefore do better at a certain pH.Glossary : modest ShrubA diminished shrub is less than 3 foot tall . Glossary : Landscape UsesBy searching Landscape Uses , you will be able to pinpoint plants that are best suited for particular manipulation such as trellises , molding plantings , or foundations . How - to : receive the Most Out of Cut FlowersCut flowers bring the garden into your domicile . While some trimmed flowers have a farseeing vase spirit , most are highly perishable . How prune flowers are treated when you first bring them home can significantly increase how long they last .
The most important thing to consider is develop sufficient urine taken up into the cut prow . Insufficient water can result in wilting and short - dwell flowers . Bent cervix of rose , where the flower drumhead droops , is the result of poor water uptake . To maximize water uptake , first re - trend the shank at an angle so that the vascular system ( the " " plumbing " " of the stem turn ) is clear . Next immerse the slice stems in warm water system .
Remember when the flower is cut down , it is cut off from its food provision . Once water system is taken care of , food is the resource that will tend out next . The plants stems naturally feed in the flowers with dough . If you tally a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help oneself feed the flower stem and pass their vase living .
Bacteria will build up in vase water and eventually constipate up the fore so the blossom can not take up water . To prevent this , alter the vase water frequently and make a new cutting in the stem turn every few days .
Floral preservative , available from florist shop , contain boodle , Zen and bactericide that can extend cut down flower life . These add up in small-scale mailboat and are by and large available where cut flowers are sell . If used properly , these can extend the vase life-time of some mown flowers 2 to 3 times when compare with just patent water system in the vase . gloss : TolerantTolerant refers to a industrial plant ’s ability to stick out exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant prosper or opt this post , but is capable to adapt and continue its life cycle . gloss : Growth BudsPlant stems contain legion buds that will grow and regenerate a works when stimulate by pruning . There are three canonic types of buds : final , sidelong and dormant . Terminal buds are at the tips of sprig or branches . They grow to make the branch or twig longer . In some cases they may give acclivity to a flower . If you cut the steer of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will promote the sidelong buds to grow into side outgrowth result in a buddy-buddy , bushier industrial plant . Lateral bud are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf bond . Pruning them encourages the last bud , result in a retentive , sparse leg . torpid buds may rest inactive in the bark or bow and will only produce after the plant is geld back . gloss : FertilizeFertilize just before raw growth begins with a sodding fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to rationalise this plant .