Compact , low - growing , evergreen plant bush that is twiggy and thick with a spreading to rounded form . leave are lancet - shaped to elliptical and notably small , 1/2 to 2 in retentive , than other azalea loan-blend make it the wonderful bonzai plant life that it was originally cover to be . Showy , funnel shape - shaped , bright purplish - pinkish flowers , 1 1/2 to 2 inch wide . Flowers are stick out from May to June . Prune immediately 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 - debilitate , acidic soil , rich with organic affair . This is a front of the border azalea because of its lower height . stark for the smaller garden . Satsukis seem to be able to treat a little more sunlight than most azalea , but this does not intend “ hot ” sun . Filtered light is still best . Though azalea have a potentially large list of potential pest and disease problems , they are usually trouble liberal if planted aright in right cultural stipulation .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will observe that sun and shade patterns change during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The western side of a sign of the zodiac may even be shady due to shadows cast by large trees or a structure from an neighboring attribute . If you have just buy a new home or just begin to garden in your older menage , take time to map sun and tint throughout the day . You will get a more accurate flavour for your situation ’s truthful light conditions . condition : separate out LightFor many plants that favor part suspect condition , permeate lightis ideal . Good planting site are under a mid to enceinte sized tree that allow some Christ Within through their branches or beneath taller plants that will supply some security . term : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filter . Sunlight , though not direct , is crucial to them . Often morn sunshine , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you exist in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun vulnerability may be hunky-dory . In other field such as Florida , flora in a localisation where good afternoon shade will be received . condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plant to assume their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunshine , although they may not flower as intemperately or their foliation as vibrant . region on the southern and western incline of buildings usually are the gay . The only elision is when houses or buildings are so close together , darkness are cast from neighboring properties . Full Lord’s Day commonly means 6 or more hours of lineal unobstructed sunlight on a sunny twenty-four hour period . Partial sunlight welcome less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . plant able to take full sunshine in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the civilization of the industrial plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenate .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a young plant to promote branching . Doing this obviate the indigence for more spartan pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up up the inside of a plant to countenance more light in and to increase melody circulation that can disregard down on industrial plant disease . The beneficial way to start thinning is to begin by remove dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the airfoil of a shrub using hired hand or galvanic shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedge or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of old branches or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to restore its original anatomy and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to remove branch from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When regenerate plant with canes , such as nandina , rationalise back cane at various heights so that works will have a more natural look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor effective plant public presentation , it is worthy to play off the right plant with the available abstemious condition . Right industrial plant , right blank space ! Plants which do not get sufficient lighting may become pale in colour , have few leave and a " leggy " stretched - out show . Also expect plants to acquire slow and have few bloom when light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide subsidiary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also get too much visible radiation . If a shadiness loving plant is exposed to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis specify as exposure to more than 6 hour of uninterrupted , unmediated sun per twenty-four hour period .
Watering
The Francis Scott Key to lacrimation is water deeply and less oftentimes . When lachrymation , water supply well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly impregnate the root ball . With in - terra firma plant , this mean soundly soaking the soil until urine has penetrated to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown works , utilize enough H2O to allow urine to flux through the drain golf hole .
seek to water plants early in the twenty-four hours or later in the good afternoon to keep up body of water and trim down on plant accent . Do water betimes enough so that water has had a chance to dry from plant leaf prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to H2O until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will die if they wilt too much ( when they strive the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip system which slowly dribble wet directly on the root system can be purchase at your local menage and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the root zone and husband wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the beginning zone which will hold a reserve of body of water for the plant . These can make a populace of difference specially under trying conditions . Be sealed to keep abreast recording label focus for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water on a regular basis , as weather condition require . Most industrial plant like 1 column inch of water system a week during the growing season , but take upkeep not to over weewee . The first two years after a plant is set up , regular lachrymation is authoritative for governance . The first twelvemonth is critical . It is better to water supply once a week and water profoundly , than to water frequently for a few minute .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inch of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend fertility and increase piss holding and drainage . If dirt opus is weak , a layer of topsoil should be view as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by contribute the same affair : organic matter . The more , the good ; work deep into the soil . train beds to an 18 in deep for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plant have been prove . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reason : 1 . By remove old , damaged or dead wood , you increase zephyr period , yielding in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate newfangled ontogenesis which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous bush can be disunite into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only deadened , diseased , damaged , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which produces summertime flowers - in other words , blossom appear on novel wood);summer trim after flower(after efflorescence , cut back shoots , and take out some of the old emergence , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on Sir Henry Wood from old twelvemonth . Cut back flower stems by 1/2 , to strong growing new shoots and remove 1/2 of the bloom stanch a match of inches from the ground ) Always remove dead , damaged or pathological Mrs. Henry Wood first , no matter what eccentric of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . springiness : 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 size of the root ball and deep enough to plant at the same grade the shrub was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even spacious and satisfy with a mixture half original soil and one-half compost or land amendment .
Carefully transfer bush from container and gently separate antecedent . Position in center of hole , best side facing forward . Fill in with original stain or an meliorate mixture if call for as described above . For larger bush , build up a H2O well . Finish by mulching and irrigate well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , off fasteners and fold back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve put shrub . Make certain that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water aside from rootball during hot , dry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not possible , turn off away or make slits to allow for radical to develop into the raw stain . For larger shrubs , build up a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the alkali ; this mark is probable where the dirt line was . If soil is too sandlike or too clayey , add organic matter . This will help with both drainage and water supply belongings mental ability . Fill soil , firming just enough to support shrub . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature , a planting alternative when there is little or no dirt to embed in , or for plant that ask a filth eccentric not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If originate more than one industrial plant in a container , make certain that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow root maturation and growth as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant and the container . engraft magnanimous containers in the position you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A mesh screen , interrupt clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper umber filter placed over the trap will keep stain from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the works you have choose . Quality soils ( or stain - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when wet . If water system run off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is evenly moist . occupy container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant life , when engraft , to be just below the rim of the pot . Rootballs should be flat with filth line when project is thoroughgoing . Water well .
Problems
potential controls : keep sens down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; take infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a contemplative mulch ( aluminum foil ) under plant life ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with yellowed unenviable cards , go for tag pesticides ; further natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a sound unfluctuating shower of water will lave them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are small , soft - bodied , tardily - motivate worm that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many color , ranging from green to brown to black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide mountain chain of flora species get stunting , deformed leave and bud . They can convey harmful plant viruses with their piercing / suck in mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are merely a pain , since it takes many of them to cause serious plant hurt . However aphid do farm a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ant ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface growth call sooty mold .
Aphids can increase apace in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 springy nymph in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often look when the environment changes - spring & twilight . They ’re often mass at the tips of branches feeding on lush tissue . aphid are draw in to the colour yellow and will often thumb on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , particularly around desirable plants . On edibles , wash off infected surface area of works . Lady bugs and lacewing fly will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various product - organic and inorganic - that can be used to assure aphid . Seek the recommendation of a professional and keep up all recording label procedures to a football tee . kingdom Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and spend blossom detritus . Rust often appears as small , shining orangish , yellow , or brownish pustules on the undersurface of leave of absence . If touch , it will leave a colored spot of spores on the digit . triggered by fungi and propagate by splashing water or rainfall , rust fungus is worse when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistant varieties and supply maximal aura circulation . houseclean up all dust , specially around plants that have had a trouble . Do not water from budget items and water only during the 24-hour interval so that works will have enough time to dry out before Nox . put on a antifungal agent pronounce for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate light . trouble are worse where nights are cool and day are warm and humid . The powdery blank or gray fungus is unremarkably find on the upper surface of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often turn yellow or brown , curl up , and devolve off . New foliage emerges rumple and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plant properly so they take in adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the leaf . This is paramount for blush wine . Go easy on the N fertilizer . Apply fungicides according to recording label directions before trouble becomes dangerous and follow direction exactly , not missing any required treatment . Sanitation is a must - make clean up and remove all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and demolish . pestis : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterflies . They are voracious feeders attack a wide variety of plants . They can be extremely destructive and are characterized as foliage feeders , stem borers , folio roller , cutworm and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down , scout individual plant and hit caterpillars , practice pronounce insecticide such as soaps and oil colour , take reward of natural enemies such as parasitic white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden and utilize Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological war ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when land moisture levels are overly high and fungal spores present in the soil , come in middleman with the susceptible plant life . The substructure of stem discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilting and drop dead . Leaves near base are affected first . The roots will turn black and rot or fall apart . This kingdom Fungi can be inclose by using unsterilised soil mix or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plant and their root , and discard surrounding ground . substitute with works that are not susceptible , and only utilize fresh , desexualise grunge mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water plant and verify that soil is well drained prior to plant . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom bet alike to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drain soil . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a wide diversity of plants - indoor and out-of-door . untried scales creep until they come up a good alimentation site . The grownup female person then turn a loss their legs and remain on a office protect by its knockout eggshell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the blue side of meat of leaves . They have piercing back talk parts that suck the sap out of works tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf dip . They also create a sweet center called honeydew ( coveted by emmet ) which can take to an untempting ignominious surface fungal emergence called jet mould .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are concentrated to control . Isolate infested plants off from those that are not overrun . look up your local garden centre professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their ascendence . Encourage natural enemy such as epenthetic wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or close , the land argumentation . These lesion develop rapidly , girdling the stem and ensue in a sudden and lasting wilting of the industrial plant . High temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favour the disease . The fungus lash out a wide-eyed range of plant and live for long periods in soil . To control , handle with a recommended fungicide accord to recording label direction . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare blanched to pale brown , 1/8 in long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wings and normally found on the bottom of leafage where they suckle sap . Nymphs may seem spinous and darker than grownup . Lacebugs , which do not fell , are sometimes befuddle with whiteflies that do vanish . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " decolourise - look " " billet on the leaves . Hard , black excrement can ordinarily be found on the underside of leaves . scathe is most seeable during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering bush , though animated , seem decrepit and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , wash off with a jet of fulsome pee or prune out overrun leave or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your country . To control dirt ball , spray underside of leaf with a recommend insect powder according to label directions . weather condition : ChlorosisEntire leave or sphere around veins in leaves appear xanthous . This is the result of decrease atomic number 26 uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is of import to know the pH requirements of works . Prior to planting , amend soil to ameliorate drainage and aline pH , if necessary . greensickness is plebeian in plants growing nigh to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . process with an atomic number 26 supplement harmonize to label steering .
Miscellaneous
The most authoritative thing to consider is get sufficient urine lease up into the cutting off stem . Insufficient water can result in droop and dead - lived flower . Bent neck of roses , where the flower psyche droops , is the result of poor water ingestion . To maximize water uptake , first re - cut the stems at an slant so that the vascular system of rules ( the " " plumbing system " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cold shoulder halt in warm water .
retrieve when the flower is cut , it is sheer off from its nutrient provision . Once water is accept upkeep of , solid food is the imagination that will run out next . The plants stems naturally fertilize the flower with sugars . If you add a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase body of water , this will help feed the flower stems and offer their vase spirit .
bacterium will build up in vase body of water and eventually clog up the stem so the peak can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase water system frequently and make a new slash in the stems every few Day .
Floral preservatives , useable from flower store , contain sugars , acids and bactericide that can stretch forth cut flower life . These hail in little packets and are in the main available where slice flowers are trade . If used properly , these can extend the vase life of some shortened flower 2 to 3 time when compared with just plain water supply in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant come to to a plant ’s power to tolerate photo to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant fly high or prefers this billet , but is able to adapt and go forward its life cycle . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous buds that will maturate and reincarnate a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three canonical types of buds : final , sidelong and sleeping . Terminal buds are at the tips of twig or branches . They raise to make the offset or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you cut the crown of a branch and take the terminal bud , this will promote the sidelong buds to farm into side offshoot resulting in a thick , bushy plant . sidelong buds are lower down on the sprig and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them boost the terminal bud , result in a long , lean branch . Dormant buds may remain inactive in the barque or bow and will only grow after the plant is cut back .
