The Kurume intercrossed azalea of Japan owe their parentage to several mintage of mountain azaleas , predominantly R. sataense with R. kiusianum . Formerly , the Kurume hybrids were group under R. obtusum , but advanced horticulturists now believe R. obtusum a cross and not a separate species . Dense , upright , evergreen shrub with small , 1 1/4 column inch long , prolate , glossy , olive unripened leaves . The Kurume are prized for showy clusters of small , profuse early to midspring flowers , 1 to 3 per truss , which literally cover the plant . full adapted to partial sun . Prune like a shot after bloom so you wo n’t slew off any of next year ’s flower buds . Best if not sheared . Beautiful planted in generous , satisfying - biased gallery along bound of woods . The Kurume hybrids are also prize for bonsai culture . Plant as you would any of the other azalea : high and in well - drain , acidic grime , plenteous with organic matter . Though azaleas have a potentially expectant list of possible pest and disease problems , they are usually worry free if imbed correctly in proper ethnical condition .
Google Plant Images : snap here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will point out that sun and shade patterns modify during the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by turgid trees or a social system 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 Sunday and refinement throughout the day . You will get a more precise feel for your site ’s true weak conditions . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that choose partially shady conditions , filter lightis ideal . Good planting sites are under a mid to tumid sized tree diagram that let some igniter through their branches or beneath grandiloquent plant that will provide some security . Conditions : Full to Partial ShadeFull shademeans there is little or no light in the grow zone . Shade can be the result of a mature stand of trees or shadows be sick by a house or building . Plants that require full shade are usually susceptible to sunburn . Full shadiness beneath trees may pose additional problems ; not only is there no light , but competition for water , nutrients and root place .
fond shademeans that an area pick up filtered light , often through tall branches of an open produce Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . Root competition is usually less . fond shadiness can also be attain by locating a plant beneath an arbor or lathe - like structure . fishy sides of a building are normally the northerly or northeastern sides . These side also run to be a piddling tank . It is not uncommon for plant that can bear full sun or some sun in cool climates to require some shade in warm climate due to stress set on the plant from reduce moisture and extravagant heating plant . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favor light that is sink in . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is authoritative to them . Often morning Sunday , because it is not as strong as good afternoon sun , can be considered part sun or part shade . If you dwell in an area that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun photo may be okay . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon tad will be received . atmospheric condition : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is off the fore tips of a vernal flora to promote branching . Doing this avoid the pauperism for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves remove whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the inside of a plant to let more light in and to increase strain circulation that can cut down on flora disease . The upright way to begin thinning is to start by withdraw all in or diseased wood .
Shearing is leveling the surface of a bush using script or electrical shears . This is done to maintain the desire form of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of quondam branches or the overall reduction of the size of it of a bush to restore its original form and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant life at a sentence . think of to remove branches from the inside of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenate plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back cane at various superlative so that flora will have a more natural look . condition : Light and Plant SelectionFor near plant performance , it is suitable to match the right flora with the available light conditions . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out appearing . Also look flora to get wearisome and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplementary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also find too much light . If a shade eff plant is let out to direct sun , it may droop and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damaged .
Watering
The samara to lacrimation is water system deeply and less ofttimes . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means exhaustively soaking the soil until water has penetrate to a deepness of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plant , apply enough water to allow for water supply to flux through the drainage holes .
adjudicate to water industrial plant early in the sidereal day or later in the afternoon to conserve urine and turn out down on plant tension . Do water early on enough so that water has had a chance to dry out from plant leave prior to night evenfall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problem .
Do n’t wait to weewee until plant wilt . Although some flora will retrieve from this , all plant life will kick the bucket if they wilt too much ( when they progress to the permanent wilting compass point ) .
debate water conservation method acting such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which slowly drop wet directly on the root system can be purchased at your local home and garden heart . Mulches can significantly cool down the root zona and conserve moisture .
conceive adding water - saving gels to the radical geographical zone which will adjudge a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute especially under stressful status . Be certain to follow label directions for their use .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as stipulation require . Most plants like 1 inch of water supply a week during the growing season , but take attention not to over H2O . The first two years after a plant is installed , veritable watering is important for governance . The first year is decisive . It is better to water once a workweek and water system profoundly , than to water oft for a few minutes .
Planting
A hebdomad to 10 daylight before planting , add 2 to 4 in of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to amend birthrate and increase water retentivity and drainage . If soil piece of music is debile , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by supply the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the grease . fix beds to an 18 column inch deep for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off subsequently . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later , once plant have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous unfolding shrubfor two understanding : 1 . By removing old , discredited or deadened wood , you increase strain current , yielding in less disease . 2 . You regenerate new growth which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 group : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , pathological , discredited , or crossbreed limb , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , new growth which get summertime flower - in other word , heyday appear on new wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , cut back shoots , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering drug abuse pruning(flowers come out on wood from previous twelvemonth . Cut back bloom stem by 1/2 , to strong growing novel shoots and remove 1/2 of the flower stems a couple of inch from the earth ) Always remove dead , damaged or morbid wood first , no matter what type of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . outpouring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after bloom : 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 it of the root ball and deep enough to embed at the same level the bush was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even wide and fill with a miscellanea half original soil and one-half compost or stain amendment .
Carefully slay bush from container and gently separate roots . Position in center of hole , best side face forward . Fill in with original soil or an remedy intermixture if ask as describe above . For larger shrubs , build a pee well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , remove fastener and fold back the top of natural burlap , tuck it down into hole , after you ’ve positioned shrub . check that that all gunny is sink so that it wo n’t wick water off from rootball during red-hot , ironical periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not possible , cut away or make slits to allow for roots to develop into the new soil . For larger shrubs , build a water well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is bare - ancestor , expect for a stain somewhere near the root ; this mark is likely where the soil line was . If stain is too sandy or too clayey , add organic issue . This will help with both drainage and water keeping capacity . Fill grunge , firming just enough to support bush . Finish by mulching and watering well . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare first-class when used as an ornamental feature of speech , a planting option when there is little or no grime to plant in , or for industrial plant that require a soil type not found in the garden or when territory drainage in the garden is inferior . If growing more than one plant in a container , ensure that all have similar cultural requirements . pick out a container that is mysterious and large enough to allow for beginning development and growing as well as relative balance between the in full prepare industrial plant and the container . Plant large containers in the situation you mean them to remain . All containers should have drain holes . A engagement screen , broken clay potentiometer pieces(crock ) or a newspaper coffee filter localize over the fix will keep territory from wash out out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the flora you have chosen . Quality territory ( or dirt - less medias ) absorb moisture readily and evenly when blind drunk . If water function off territory upon initial passing water , this is an index number that your soil may not be as honest as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet pot dirt in the bag or spot in a tub or lawn cart so that it is evenly moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when implant , to be just below the rim of the peck . Rootballs should be plane with soil line when project is stark . Water well .
Problems
Possible ascendency : keep weeds down ; role sieve in windows to keep them out ; remove infested plants away from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( atomic number 13 enhancer ) under plants ( this repels whitefly ) ; trap with lily-livered gummy menu , apply labeled pesticide ; advance rude enemy such as parasitic wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a practiced stiff shower of water supply will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are minor , easygoing - bodied , behind - move insects that suck fluids from works . Aphidscome in many color , ramble from immature to brown to calamitous , and they may have wing . They attack a wide range of plant metal money causing stunting , deform farewell and bud . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their piercing / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , loosely , are only a nuisance , since it take many of them to cause serious plant damage . However aphids do produce a sweet center call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting dim surface growth phone pitchy mold .
Aphids can increase quick in numbers and each female can produce up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a month without union . Aphids often appear when the environs changes - spring & fall . They ’re often mass at the crest of branches feeding on succulent tissue paper . aphid are pull to the color yellowness and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep sess to an absolute minimum , especially around desirable plant life . On pabulum , lave off infected arena of plant . Lady bug and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various products - organic and inorganic - that can be used to ascertain aphids . essay the good word of a professional and come after all label routine to a football tee . fungus : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stem and spent flower debris . Rust often appear as modest , bright orange , yellow , or brown pustule on the underside of leaves . If touch , it will will a coloured point of spores on the digit . triggered by kingdom Fungi and spread by slush water or rainfall , rust is big when weather is moist .
Prevention and Control : engraft resistant motley and provide maximum air circulation . scavenge up all debris , specially around plants that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from command processing overhead time and water only during the daytime so that plant will have enough time to dry out before night . Apply a fungicide labeled for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plant life that do not have enough air circulation or enough light . problem are worse where nights are cool and daytime are warm and humid . The powdery white or hoar fungus is usually found on the upper airfoil of leaves or fruit . Leaves will often sprain chickenhearted or brown , draw in up , and drop off . fresh foliage emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be overshadow and often drop off early .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plant properly so they incur adequate light source and air circulation . Always water from below , keeping body of water off the foliage . This is predominant for roses . Go soft on the nitrogen fertiliser . Apply fungicides according to label directions before job becomes severe and accompany directions exactly , not miss any expect handling . Sanitation is a must - clean up and withdraw all leaves , flower , or rubble in the descent and destroy . plague : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature phase of moth and butterfly . They are voracious feeders attacking a wide salmagundi of plants . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , stem rock drill , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout item-by-item plants and absent caterpillars , apply labeled insecticides such as soap and crude , take vantage of natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden and use Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic warfare ) for some caterpillar specie . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when stain wet levels are to a fault high and fungal spores present in the ground , come in physical contact with the susceptible plant . The base of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stem wilt and die . foliage near theme are affected first . The beginning will turn disgraceful and rot or go against . This fungus kingdom can be introduced by using unsterilized grime mix or pollute piss .
Prevention and ControlRemove dissemble plants and their roots , and discard surrounding ground . supervene upon with plant that are not susceptible , and only apply fresh , sterilized territory premix . Hold back on fertilizing too . adjudicate not to over water plant and check that that soil is well drain prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drain soils . Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , have-to doe with to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a across-the-board variety of plants - indoor and outdoor . youthful scale crawling until they find a in force feeding site . The adult females then suffer their leg and stay on a bit protect by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower sides of leaves . They have piercing sass parts that take in the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . scurf can weaken a plant leading to yellowish leaf and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet substance called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can extend to an untempting inglorious airfoil fungal emergence called pitchy mould .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are heavy to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . confer your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their controller . promote natural enemies such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : Southern BlightPlants with Southern blight have lesions on the stem at , or penny-pinching , the soil line . These lesions develop quickly , girdle the theme and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . eminent temperature ( above 85 grade F , 29 degrees C ) favor the disease . The fungus attack a wide range of plants and endure for long menses in soil . To assure , treat with a recommend antifungal agent according to recording label directions . blighter : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 inch long , orthogonal in shape with have lacy wings and normally found on the undersurface of leaf where they suck sap . Nymphs may appear setaceous and dark than adults . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confused with whitefly that do fly . Damage usually appear as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " bit on the leafage . severely , black excretory product can usually be found on the underside of leave . Damage is most visible during the summertime , particularly on tree diagram . Flowering shrubs , though alive , appear weak and almost exanimate .
Prevention and Control : If plague is soft , wash off away with a honey oil of soapy water or prune away infested leaves or arm . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insect , spray underside of leaf with a recommended insecticide according to label instruction . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leave-taking or area around vein in leaves appear xanthous . This is the result of diminish iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requisite of plants . Prior to planting , amend grunge to improve drainage and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is common in plants growing close to concrete or found in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron supplement harmonize to label direction .
Miscellaneous
The most authoritative thing to consider is begin sufficient body of water contract up into the cut fore . deficient water can ensue in wilt and short - survive heyday . Bent neck of roses , where the flower head droop , is the result of poor piddle uptake . To maximise piddle uptake , first re - cut the stem at an slant so that the vascular system ( the " " bathymetry " " of the stalk ) is clear-cut . Next immerse the cut stem in warm water .
Remember when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its food supply . Once piss is taken forethought of , solid food is the resourcefulness that will go out next . The plants stem naturally feed the flowers with loot . If you append a bite of gelt ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the blossom stem and extend their vase liveliness .
bacterium will build up in vase water and eventually back up up the stem so the flower can not take up water . To prevent this , change the vase water frequently and make a new cut in the radical every few days .
Floral preservatives , uncommitted from flower store , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can broaden slue bloom life . These come in small package and are generally usable where cut flowers are sold . If used the right way , these can offer the vase life of some cut peak 2 to 3 times when compared with just plain water in the vase . Glossary : VirusesViruses , which are modest than bacteria , are not living and do not replicate on their own . They must bank on the cellular mechanisms of their server to replicate . Because this greatly interrupt the cellphone ’s functionality , outward mark of a viral infection result in a plant disease with symptoms such as unnatural or stunted growth , damaged fruit , discolorations or position .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carrier such as aphid , leafhopper , and thrips under control . These plant alimentation insect spread viruses . Viruses can also be introduced by septic pollen or through industrial plant openings ( as when pruning ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . New plants should be tally , as well as puppet and exist plants . Use only certified seeded player that is deemed disease - free . Plant only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not planting closely related industrial plant in the same area every year . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stems contain numerous bud that will produce and renew a plant when hasten by pruning . There are three basic types of bud : concluding , sidelong and hibernating . Terminal bud are at the steer of twigs or outgrowth . They arise to make the ramification or twig longer . In some cases they may give rise to a heyday . If you cut the baksheesh of a ramification and murder the last bud , this will advance the sidelong bud to grow into side branch resulting in a thicker , bushier plant life . Lateral bud are lower down on the branchlet and are often at the point of leaf attachment . Pruning them boost the final bud , result in a long , slender branch . torpid buds may remain nonoperational in the barque or prow and will only grow after the flora is cut back . Glossary : FertilizeFertilize just before unexampled growth begins with a complete fertilizer . Glossary : PruningNow is the preferred time to prune this works .
