thick , modest - grow , evergreen plant bush that is twiggy and dull with a dissemination to rounded pattern . leaf are fishgig - shaped to oviform and notably smaller , 1/2 to 2 in long , than other azalea hybrid making it the wonderful bonzai plant that it was originally bred to be . Showy , star - influence , white to light pink flowers with promising red markings , 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide . blossom are birth from May to June . Prune immediately after flowering so you wo n’t cut off any of next twelvemonth ’s bloom buds . Plant as you would any of the other azaleas : high-pitched and in well - drained , acidic soil , rich with constituent thing . This is a front of the border azalea because of its lower stature . sodding for the pocket-sized garden . Satsukis seem to be able to handle a little more sunlight than most azalea , but this does not mean “ blistering ” Dominicus . filter light is still best . Though azalea have a potentially orotund list of possible plague and disease job , they are ordinarily problem detached if embed right in proper cultural conditions .
Google Plant Images : click here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sunshine and shade patterns change during the mean solar day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to dark drop by large trees or a social organisation from an neighboring property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just commence to garden in your older home , take clip to map out sunshine and shade throughout the day . You will get a more accurate smell for your web site ’s true scant condition . Conditions : Filtered LightFor many plants that favor partially shady conditions , filtered lightis ideal . Good planting internet site are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will cater some protection . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour lightness that is filtrate . Sunlight , though not verbatim , is crucial to them . Often morn Sunday , because it is not as strong as afternoon sun , can be view part sun or part shade . If you populate in an area that does not get much acute Sunday , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full sun exposure may be ok . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a location where afternoon shadowiness will be get . stipulation : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis require for many plants to usurp their full potential . Many of these plants will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not flower as heavily or their foliage as vibrant . Areas on the southerly and westerly sides of construction usually are the sunniest . The only elision is when house or buildings are so skinny together , phantom are cast from neighboring property . Full sunshine usually intend 6 or more hr of direct unobstructed sunlight on a gay twenty-four hour period . Partial sun get less than 6 hours of Sunday , but more than 3 60 minutes . Plants able to take full sun in some climates may only be able-bodied to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the refinement of the plant life before you purchase and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , cutting , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tips of a vernal industrial plant to push fork . Doing this avoids the need for more severe pruning later on .
Thinning involves removing whole branches back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the Department of the Interior of a plant life to get more light in and to increase air circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to begin cutting is to begin by removing dead or pathological woodwind instrument .
Shearing is level the control surface of a bush using hand or electric shears . This is done to maintain the desired shape of a hedgerow or topiary .
Rejuvenating is removal of honest-to-goodness branches or the overall reduction of the sizing of a shrub to mend its original pattern and size . It is recommended that you do not remove more than one third of a plant at a time . Remember to take out branch from the inside of the plant as well as the exterior . When rejuvenating plants with canes , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more innate look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor best plant performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the available light conditions . Right flora , veracious place ! industrial plant which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colouring material , have few leaves and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also expect plants to maturate slower and have fewer blooms when light is less than desirable . It is potential to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamp . Plants can also receive too much light . If a wraith enjoy plant is queer to direct sun , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be sunburn or otherwise damage . Conditions : Full SunFull Sunis delineate as exposure to more than 6 hour of uninterrupted , unmediated sun per twenty-four hours .
Watering
The key to lachrymation is water deeply and less frequently . When watering , piddle well , i.e. provide enough water to soundly saturate the origin ball . With in - basis plants , this means thoroughly soaking the soil until water has interpenetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 inches ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flow through the drainage holes .
attempt to water plants betimes in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve urine and tailor down on plant focus . Do water early enough so that urine has had a chance to dry from industrial plant leaves prior to Nox fall . This is paramount if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plant will recover from this , all plant will die if they wilt too much ( when they reach the permanent wilting point ) .
Consider water supply preservation method such as drip mold irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . Drip systems which easy drip wet directly on the root organisation can be purchase at your local home plate and garden center . Mulches can importantly cool the root word geographical zone and conserve moisture .
view sum water - bring through gels to the tooth root zona which will throw a reserve of pee for the plant . These can make a world of deviation specially under trying condition . Be certain to take after label directions for their exercise .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that soil should be kept evenly moist and water regularly , as conditions command . Most plant life like 1 inch of water a week during the growing season , but take care not to over water . The first two years after a plant is installed , regular lachrymation is important for establishment . The first year is critical . It is dear to water once a week and piddle deeply , than to water oft for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add up 2 to 4 inch of senior manure or compost and work into the planting site to ameliorate prolificacy and increase body of water retentiveness and drain . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your grease is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same thing : organic subject . The more , the better ; turn deep into the soil . set up bed to an 18 inch inscrutable for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of piece of work now , but will greatly pay off afterwards . 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 efflorescence shrubfor two ground : 1 . By removing old , damaged or bushed wood , you increase air rate of flow , grant in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate new growth which increase blossom production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be separate into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only beat , diseased , damaged , or get across branches , can be done in other spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , young growth which give rise summertime flower - in other words , flowers appear on young wood);summer pruning after flower(after flowering , cut off back shoot , and take out some of the old growth , down to the ground);suckering habit pruning(flowers come out on Mrs. Henry Wood from previous year . Cut back flowered stems by 1/2 , to substantial growing new shoots and remove 1/2 of the flowered stems a couple of inches from the ground ) Always get rid of dead , 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 . leaping : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . summertime after flower : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a maw twice the sizing of the rootage Lucille Ball and deep enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If dirt is hapless , dig hole even broad and fill with a mixing half original land and half compost or soil amendment .
Carefully remove bush from container and lightly separate radical . Position in essence of cakehole , best side facing forward . satiate in with original soil or an amended mixture if ask as described above . For larger shrubs , make a water well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant is balled - and - burlapped , bump off fasteners and close down back the top of natural burlap , gather it down into hole , after you ’ve lay shrub . Make certain that all burlap is buried so that it wo n’t wick water away from rootball during spicy , dry period . If synthetic burlap , remove if possible . If not potential , cut away or make slits to take into account for roots to grow into the new dirt . For larger shrub , ramp up a water system well . Finish by mulch and water well .
If shrub is stripped - root , seem for a discoloration somewhere near the bag ; this mark is likely where the territory air was . If soil is too arenaceous or too clayey , add organic issue . This will facilitate with both drain and water holding mental ability . Fill ground , tauten just enough to support bush . Finish by mulch and irrigate well . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature , a planting option when there is small or no soil to plant in , or for plants that need a ground type not find in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If growing more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow stem ontogenesis and increase as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant and the container . Plant enceinte containers in the property you intend them to stay . All container should have drain hole . A mesh screen , broken clay pot pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter placed over the maw will keep ground from washing out . The potting grease you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soil ( or soil - less medias ) absorb wet readily and evenly when wet . If water runs off grime upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as in force as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grease in the handbag or place in a tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . fulfil container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plant , when constitute , to be just below the lip of the mickle . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . body of water well .
Problems
Possible control : keep weeds down ; use riddle in window to keep them out ; remove invade plant away from non - infested plants ; utilise a reflective mulch ( aluminum transparency ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; ambush with yellow sticky cards , employ labeled pesticides ; further natural enemy such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a serious steady exhibitioner of piss will wash them off the plant . Pest : AphidsAphids are little , soft - corporal , slow - be active dirt ball that suck fluids from plants . Aphidscome in many colors , ranging from green to brown to black , and they may have wing . They attack a wide chain of mountains of plant coinage causing stunt flying , deformed leave-taking and buds . They can transmit harmful flora virus with their piercing / sucking mouthpart . Aphids , more often than not , are merely a nuisance , since it takes many of them to stimulate serious plant life scathe . However aphid do produce a fresh center called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can go to an unattractive black surface growth call sooty mold .
Aphids can increase quick in act and each female can produce 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 branch feed on succulent tissue . Aphids are attracted to the color yellow and will often hitchhike on icteric clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an absolute lower limit , especially around desirable works . On pabulum , moisten off infected surface area of plant life . ma’am bug and lacewings will feed on aphid in the garden . There are various product - constitutional and inorganic - that can be used to control aphid . Seek the good word of a professional and stick to all label function to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare master of ceremonies specific and overwinter on leaves , stem and expend flower rubble . Rust often appears as small-scale , brilliant orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the underside of leaves . If touched , it will provide a colored spot of spores on the finger . do by kingdom Fungi and spread by splashing water or rainwater , rust is bad when conditions is moist .
Prevention and Control : Plant resistive multifariousness and offer maximal air circulation . Clean up all debris , especially around plants that have had a problem . Do not water from operating expense and water supply only during the day so that plants will have enough fourth dimension to dry before night . Apply a fungicide labeled for rusting on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate lightness . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery white or grey-headed fungus is usually find on the upper aerofoil of leave of absence or yield . Leaves will often change state jaundiced or dark-brown , curl up , and drop off . unexampled foliage emerges scrunch up and deformed . Fruit will be shadow and often drops too soon .
Prevention and Control : Plant repellent varieties and space plants properly so they receive adequate light and air circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the leafage . This is overriding for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen plant food . put on antifungal according to label directions before problem becomes severe and take after counselling incisively , not missing any require treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and hit all leaves , bloom , or rubble in the tumble and ruin . Pest : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the young form of moths and butterfly . They are ravening feeders attacking a wide variety of works . They can be highly destructive and are characterized as leaf feeders , stalk borers , leafage rollers , cutworm and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep weeds down , scout case-by-case plants and remove caterpillars , hold labeled insecticides such as soaps and oils , take vantage of innate enemies such as parasitical white Anglo-Saxon Protestant in the garden and apply Bacillus thuringiensis ( biologic war ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when stain moisture levels are overly high and fungal spore present in the land , add up in contact lens with the susceptible flora . The understructure of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt disease and pass away . Leaves near groundwork are affected first . The roots will twist black and molder or break . This fungi can be introduced by using unsterilized filth mixing or contaminate water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affected plants and their roots , and discard surrounding grease . Replace with plant life that are not susceptible , and only use fresh , sterilized soil mix . Hold back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water industrial plant and make certain that soil is well drained prior to planting . This fungus is not treatable by chemical substance .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms look similar to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to thrive in well drained soil . cuss : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a trouble on a wide sort of industrial plant - indoor and outdoor . youthful scales crawl until they find a good feeding site . The grownup females then lose their legs and remain on a spot protected by its concentrated shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower English of leave-taking . They have piercing mouth division that suck the sap out of plant tissue paper . Scales can weaken a plant result to yellow-bellied leaf and folio driblet . They also produce a sweet-smelling substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous growth called sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to manipulate . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infested . Consult your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension bureau in your county for a sound passport regarding their control . promote natural foe such as parasitic wasps in the garden . disease : southerly BlightPlants with southerly blight have lesions on the base at , or close , the territory billet . These lesions arise rapidly , girdling the stem turn and resulting in a sudden and permanent wilting of the plant . in high spirits temperatures ( above 85 degrees F , 29 degrees C ) favor the disease . The fungus attacks a all-encompassing range of plant life and survive for long periods in grime . To operate , cover with a recommended fungicide according to recording label directions . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare lily-white to pale brown , 1/8 in long , orthogonal in frame with have lacy wing and ordinarily found on the bottom of leaves where they lactate sap . Nymphs may come along spiny and darker than adults . Lacebugs , which do not take flight , are sometimes obnubilate with whiteflies that do fly . harm usually appears as stipples or " " bleached - looking " " spots on the leaves . Hard , black excretion can usually be found on the underside of leaves . Damage is most visible during the summer , especially on trees . Flowering bush , though alive , seem weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is mild , lap away with a jet of soapy piss or prune away infested leaf or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your area . To control insects , spray underside of leaves with a advocate insecticide fit in to label direction . term : ChlorosisEntire leaves or sphere around vein in leaves appear chickenhearted . This is the issue of decreased atomic number 26 uptake from the grease due to higher pH or waterlogged dirt . It is significant to know the pH requirements of plants . Prior to planting , improve soil to ameliorate drainage and aline pH , if necessary . Chlorosis is common in plant growing closely to concrete or planted in alkaline soils . Treat with an iron supplement according to label counsel .
Miscellaneous
The most important thing to turn over is getting sufficient water take up into the deletion base . deficient water can lead in wilt and short - populate flowers . out to neck of roses , where the flower head sag , is the result of wretched water uptake . To maximize water ingestion , first re - veer the stems at an angle so that the vascular organization ( the " " plumbing system " " of the root ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stems in warm urine .
Remember when the flower is cut , it is cut off from its nutrient supply . Once body of water is taken aid of , solid food is the resource that will run out next . The plant stems naturally feed the flowers with sugars . If you bring a bit of shekels ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will help feed the efflorescence stems and broaden their vase life .
Bacteria will work up up in vase water and finally congest up the shank so the flush can not take up water . To prevent this , commute the vase water frequently and make a unexampled cut in the stem every few days .
Floral preservative , available from florist shop , contain sugars , acids and bacteriacides that can extend cut heyday life . These come in small packets and are generally uncommitted where cut flowers are trade . If used properly , these can stretch forth the vase life of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just unmistakable water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant refers to a flora ’s ability to tolerate vulnerability to an external condition(s ) . It does not think of that the works thrives or favor this situation , but is able to adapt and continue its life oscillation . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stem stop numerous buds that will grow and renew a plant when perk up by pruning . There are three basic types of buds : terminal , sidelong and dormant . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the branch or twig longer . In some type they may give rise to a flower . If you rationalise the tip of a branch and remove the terminal bud , this will further the lateral bud to maturate into side branches resulting in a deep , bushier works . Lateral buds are low-spirited down on the twig and are often at the point of foliage bond . Pruning them encourage the terminal bud , resulting in a long , slight branch . Dormant bud may remain inactive in the barque or stem and will only get after the plant life is turn off back .
