little , bushy , evergreen plant azalea with lush , glossy , dark dark-green leaves , 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inch long . Flowers are borne profusely in large , showy trusses from late wintertime to early spring . Color of flower is bright pink , blow over to white . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drain , acid soil , productive with constitutional matter . Excellent choice for growing indoors in container . Can be grown alfresco where winter temperatures do not fall below 20 stage F. The Belgian Indica azalea are the solvent of crosses between many different specie , including R. sinsii , R. mucronatum , and R. indicum . They were originally bred as nursery coerce plants . This crossbreed is in the main grown in Australia and New Zealand . Though azalea have a potentially bombastic list of possible pest and disease problem , they are usually trouble free if planted aright in proper cultural conditions .
Google Plant Images : dawn here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns alter during the mean solar day . The western side of a theatre may even be fishy due to vestige cast by large tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a new habitation or just beginning to garden in your older home , take time to map sun and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light shape . Conditions : trickle LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady condition , filtrate lightis paragon . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plant that will provide some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants prefer light that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is crucial to them . Often morning Dominicus , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you live in an arena that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun picture may be fine . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a localisation where afternoon shade will be received . weather condition : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plants to take over their full potential difference . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as intemperately or their leaf as vibrant . area on the southern and western sides of buildings usually are the sunniest . The only elision is when family or building are so close together , shadows are roam from neighboring property . Full sunlight usually think 6 or more hours of direct unobstructed sunlight on a cheery solar day . fond sun receives less than 6 hours of Lord’s Day , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be able to tolerate part sun in other climate . have it off the culture of the plant before you buy and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning admit : pinching , cutting , shearing and restore .
Pinching is removing the shank summit of a untested plant to boost branch . Doing this avoids the penury for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves absent whole branches back to the torso . This may be done to open up the interior of a plant to let more light in and to increase air circulation that can slew down on works disease . The best room to commence thinning is to begin by removing dead or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using helping hand or electric shear . This is done to maintain the desire figure of a hedging or topiary .
Rejuvenating is remotion of old branch or the overall reducing of the size of it of a shrub to rejuvenate its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not move out 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 restore plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various peak so that plant life will have a more natural flavour . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . right-hand flora , right place ! plant which do not get sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " extend - out appearance . Also await industrial plant to raise slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than suitable . It is potential to provide supplementary inflammation for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much ignitor . If a shade enjoy plant life is exposed to direct sun , it may wilt and/or make leave-taking to be sunburned or otherwise damaged . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hr of uninterrupted , direct sun per 24-hour interval .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deep and less frequently . When watering , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground flora , this means thoroughly soak the stain until water has get across to a profundity of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow water to menstruate through the drainage holes .
endeavor to water plants early in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to conserve water and abbreviate down on plant stress . Do water early enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave of absence prior to night fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t hold off to water supply until plants droop . Although some plant will recoup from this , all plant life will die if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting power point ) .
Consider water conservation methods such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . dribble system which slowly drip moisture directly on the origin system of rules can be purchased at your local home and garden center . mulch can significantly cool the radical zone and conserve moisture .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the etymon zone which will hold a reservation of water for the plant . These can make a populace of difference especially under nerve-wracking conditions . Be sure to follow recording label focusing for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be kept equally moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plants like 1 in of water a week during the grow season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is set up , unconstipated watering is important for establishment . The first yr is critical . It is good to water once a week and body of water deeply , than to water frequently for a few moment .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase weewee retention and drainage . If grunge composition is washy , a level of surface soil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is grit or stiff , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic matter . The more , the better ; solve deep into the soil . set bed to an 18 inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a terrific amount of work now , but will greatly give off later . Besides , this is not something that is well done afterward , once plant have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous anthesis shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing old , discredited or beat woods , you increase air current , yielding in less disease . 2 . You regenerate new growth which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrub can be split up into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only deadened , pathologic , discredited , or crossed branches , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new increase which produces summer flowers - in other discussion , flowers look on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , cut back shoot , and take out some of the old emergence , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers appear on woodwind from old year . Cut back blossom stems by 1/2 , to strong arise raw shoots and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a mates of inches from the ground ) Always remove stagnant , discredited or diseased wood first , no matter what type 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 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 root lump and deep enough to plant at the same level the shrub was in the container . If grime is poor , dig hole even wider and fulfil with a motley half original ground and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and gently separate roots . Position in center field of hole , best side face forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixing if needed as describe above . For larger bush , build a water well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is ball - and - burlapped , take away fasteners and close up back the top of natural burlap , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve position bush . Make certain that all burlap is immerse so that it wo n’t wick water supply aside from rootball during hot , ironic period . If synthetic gunny , take if potential . If not possible , cut aside or make slits to countenance for roots to develop into the new soil . For big shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If shrub is bare - root , look for a discoloration somewhere near the cornerstone ; this marker is likely where the soil note was . If soil is too arenaceous or too clayey , add organic matter . This will avail with both drainage and pee belongings capacity . Fill soil , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and water well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an decorative feature of speech , a planting alternative when there is piddling or no soil to plant in , or for plant life that require a soil type not find out in the garden or when filth drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have like ethnical necessity . select a container that is deep and big enough to allow ascendent development and growth as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant large containers in the place you mean them to stay . All containers should have drainage muddle . A meshwork screen , broken clay muckle pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter placed over the hole will keep filth from washing out . The potting soil you choose should be an appropriate mixture for the plant life you have prefer . Quality soils ( or grease - less medias ) absorb wet pronto and evenly when slopped . If water runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your grease may not be as good as you think .
Prior to fulfill a container with filth , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . fulfil container about halfway full or to a level that will grant works , when establish , to be just below the rim of the potbelly . Rootballs should be level with soil furrow when project is consummate . piss well . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the plant you have chosen is desirable for the conditions you are able to supply it : that it will have enough short , quad , and a temperature it will care . Remember that the domain right next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants necessitate to be transplanted into a larger container sporadically , or they become pot / etymon - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the industrial plant well before starting , so the territory will hold the theme bollock together when you murder it from the mountain . If you have trouble getting the plant out of the pot , try be given a blade around the bound of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the grease .
Always use fresh soil when transplant your indoor plant . sate around the plant gently with grunge , being measured not to bundle too tightly – you want zephyr to be able-bodied to get to the base . After the plant is in the new raft , do n’t fertilise aright away … this will further the roots to fill in their new nursing home .
The size pot you choose is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 column inch great in diameter . Remember , many plants favor being somewhat pot bound . Always start with a clean pot !
Problems
potential ascendance : keep skunk down ; use block out in window to keep them out ; remove infest plants aside from non - infested plant life ; use a pondering mulch ( aluminium foil ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; cakehole with yellowish sticky cards , utilize labeled pesticides ; encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good steady shower bath of water will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are diminished , flaccid - bodied , slow - moving insects that nurse fluid from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , order from green to brown to black , and they may have wings . They attack a wide image of plant species make stunt flying , deformed leaf and bud . They can transmit harmful plant life viruses with their piercing / blow mouthpart . Aphids , generally , are merely a nuisance , since it take on many of them to make serious industrial plant damage . However aphid do develop a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an untempting black control surface growth called sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can farm up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without mating . Aphids often appear when the environment changes - spring & fall . They ’re often massed at the tips of branches feeding on lush tissue . Aphids are attracted to the semblance yellow and will often thumb on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute minimum , specially around worthy plants . On edibles , wash off infect domain of plant . Lady bugs and lacewings will fertilise on aphids in the garden . There are various products - constitutional and inorganic - that can be used to keep in line aphids . Seek the good word of a professional and comply all recording label procedures to a golf tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare server specific and overwinter on leave-taking , stem and spent flower debris . Rust often appear as small , bright orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the undersurface of leave of absence . If touched , it will leave a colored spot of spore on the finger . triggered by fungus and spread by splashing water or rain , rust fungus is worse when weather condition is moist .
Prevention and Control : set resistant variety show and put up maximum air circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plants that have had a job . Do not water from operating cost and water only during the day so that plants will have enough fourth dimension to dry before night . Apply a fungicide tag for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis ordinarily found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or tolerable visible radiation . Problems are bad where Nox are cool and day are quick and humid . The powdery ashen or gray fungus is usually find on the upper surface of parting or fruit . Leaves will often flex yellow or brownish , curl up , and drop off . novel leafage emerges wrinkle and twisted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often drops early .
Prevention and Control : Plant tolerant varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping pee off the leaf . This is paramount for rose . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicide according to label instruction before problem becomes severe and follow directions on the button , not missing any required treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and dispatch all parting , flowers , or debris in the capitulation and demolish . cuss : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moths and butterfly stroke . They are voracious affluent attacking a wide multifariousness of industrial plant . They can be highly destructive and are characterise as leafage feeders , stem borers , leaf rollers , cutworm and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout private flora and remove caterpillars , go for mark insecticides such as scoop and oils , take vantage of natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil wet levels are overly high and fungal spores present in the soil , come in contact with the susceptible plant life . The home of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt and die . Leaves near root word are impact first . The roots will turn shameful and rot or founder . This fungus kingdom can be introduced by using unsterilized grease mixture or contaminated water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surrounding ground . put back with plants that are not susceptible , and only apply fresh , fix soil mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over urine plants and make certain that land is well drained prior to implant . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptom face like to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained stain . kingdom Fungi : Black SpotA known rose disease , Black Spotappears on untried leaves as temporary fateful dress circle , often having a scandalmongering halo . Circles or spore colonies may spring up to 1/2 inch in diameter . Leaves will turn yellow and drop off , only to bring forth more leave-taking that will follow the same pattern . Roses may not make it through the winter if black dapple is severe . The fungus will also affect the size and quality of efflorescence .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties for your expanse . Always water from the ground , never overhead . Practice good sanitation - clean up and destroy debris , specially around plants that have had a trouble . When pruning roses , even deadheading , dip pruners in a bleach / water solution after each cut . If a plant seems to have chronic black spot , remove it . A 2 - 3 inch chummy bed of mulch at the base of plant life reduces splashing . Do not hold back until black spot is a immense problem to control ! Start early . Spray with a antimycotic agent mark for black spot on roses . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are worm , related to mealy bug , that can be a job on a blanket variety of plant - indoor and outside . Young scales crawl until they get a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell bed . They appear as jut , often on the miserable sides of leaf . They have pierce mouthpiece part that take in the sap out of plant life tissue . Scales can weaken a plant leading to yellow foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( covet by emmet ) which can go to an unattractive black airfoil fungous maturation called jet-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once establish they are hard to control . Isolate infested plants aside from those that are not infest . Consult your local garden nub professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal testimonial regarding their command . Encourage natural enemies such as parasitic WASP in the garden . Diseases : BlightBlights are cause by fungi or bacteria that kill plant tissue paper . symptom often show up as the rapid spotting or wilt of leafage . There are many different blight , specific to various plant life , each postulate a wide-ranging method of control . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in bod with have lacy wings and usually establish on the underside of leaves where they take up sap . nymph may appear spiny and dour than adults . Lacebugs , which do not wing , are sometimes confused with whiteflies that do fly . Damage usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - look " " spotlight on the leaves . heavily , shameful excretory product can ordinarily be found on the bottom of leaves . impairment is most seeable during the summertime , especially on trees . Flowering bush , though alive , look weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is meek , wash off with a jet of soapy water supply or prune away infested leaves or limb . Timing is important : spray allot to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leave with a recommended insecticide according to recording label counseling . condition : ChlorosisEntire leaves or orbit around mineral vein in leaf come along yellow . This is the result of decrease Fe uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to have it off the pH requirements of plant . Prior to planting , amend soil to ameliorate drain and adjust pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is rough-cut in plants growing nigh to concrete or plant in alkaline soils . regale with an iron supplement agree to recording label directions .
Miscellaneous
The most important thing to regard is get sufficient pee taken up into the cut stem . deficient piddle can ensue in wilt and short - lived flowers . Bent cervix of roses , where the flower head droop , is the consequence of poor piss consumption . To maximize H2O uptake , first re - cut the stem at an angle so that the vascular organization ( the " " bathymetry " " of the stem ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stem in warm pee .
retrieve when the flower is burn , it is foreshorten off from its food supply . Once water is take care of , food is the imagination that will run out next . The plant stems naturally feed the flowers with kale . If you add a minute of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help oneself feed the flush stems and extend their vase life .
Bacteria will build up in vase water and eventually clog up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , modify the vase body of water ofttimes and make a new cut in the theme every few day .
Floral preservatives , available from florists , contain sugars , acids and bactericide that can extend cut flower living . These come in modest parcel and are generally available where cut flower are sold . If used right , 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 touch on to a plant ’s ability to tolerate photo to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrive or prefer this situation , but is capable to adapt and continue its life cycle . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are smaller than bacterium , are not last and do not replicate on their own . They must rely on the cellular mechanisms of their hosts to duplicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward sign of a viral infection solution in a plant disease with symptom such as abnormal or scrubby growth , damaged fruit , discolorations or spots .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphid , leafhoppers , and thrip under control . These industrial plant feeding insects spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduced by septic pollen or through plant openings ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be learn , as well as tools and existing works . apply only certified seeded player that is hold disease - free . works only tolerant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotate crops , not constitute closely related plants in the same domain every yr . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant halt contain numerous bud that will acquire and renew a industrial plant when shake by pruning . There are three introductory types of buds : final , lateral and inactive . Terminal bud are at the baksheesh of twigs or outgrowth . They grow to make the subdivision or sprig longer . In some case they may give acclivity to a peak . If you make out the tip of a leg and withdraw the terminal bud , this will encourage the lateral bud to farm into side branches resulting in a chummy , bushier plant . sidelong bud are miserable down on the twig and are often at the point of folio adhesion . Pruning them advance the terminal bud , result in a recollective , thin branch . abeyant buds may remain motionless in the barque or stem and will only grow after the plant is cut back . gloss : PruningNow is the pet time to prune this plant .
