Small , shaggy-coated , evergreen azalea with succulent , glistening , dark green farewell , 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inches long . Single , funnel - shaped , red flowers , 3 column inch wide . Flowers are carry extravagantly in prominent , showy trusses from late wintertime to former spring . flora as you would any of the other azaleas : high and in well - drain , acid ground , rich with organic matter . Excellent selection for growing indoors in container . Can be grown out of doors where winter temperature do not hang below 20 degrees F. The Belgian Indica azalea are the result of crosses between several different species , including R. sinsii , R. mucronatum , and R. indicum . They were originally bred as greenhouse force plants . Though azaleas have a potentially great inclination of potential pest and disease problems , they are usually trouble - free if engraft right in proper ethnical consideration .
Google Plant Images : sink in here !
Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade pattern change during the day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to shadows cast by heavy tree diagram or a structure from an adjacent property . If you have just buy a new home or just beginning to garden in your old home , take time to map Lord’s Day and shadowiness throughout the day . You will get a more exact feel for your site ’s truthful light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer part suspect weather , filtered lightis nonpareil . estimable planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some luminousness through their branches or beneath marvelous plants that will allow for some security . Conditions : Partial Sun , Partial ShadePart sunorpart shadeplants favour light that is filtered . Sunlight , though not unmediated , is important to them . Often morning sun , because it is not as warm as good afternoon sun , can be consider part sunshine or part shade . If you survive in an arena that does not get much intense sun , such as the Pacific Northwest , a full Sunday exposure may be o.k. . In other areas such as Florida , plant in a emplacement where good afternoon tone will be received . Conditions : Full to Partial SunFull sunlightis needed for many plant to assume their full voltage . Many of these plant will do fine with a little less sunlight , although they may not blossom as hard or their foliage as vibrant . Areas on the southerly and western sides of building ordinarily are the sunniest . The only exception is when houses or building are so close together , shadows are cast from neighboring property . Full Sunday usually means 6 or more hours of unmediated unobstructed sunshine on a sunny solar day . Partial sun receive less than 6 hours of sun , but more than 3 hours . Plants able to take full sunlight in some climates may only be capable to tolerate part sun in other climates . Know the civilisation of the plant before you purchase and plant it!Conditions : Types of PruningTypes of pruning include : pinching , thinning , shearing and rejuvenating .
Pinching is removing the stem tip of a youthful industrial plant to promote branching . Doing this avoids the indigence for more severe pruning later on .
cutting call for absent whole arm back to the trunk . This may be done to open up the Department of the Interior of a plant to let more brightness in and to increase atmosphere circulation that can cut down on plant disease . The best way to start cutting is to begin by removing dead or pathological wood .
Shearing is level off the surface of a shrub using helping hand or galvanising shears . This is done to hold the desire form of a hedge or topiary .
rejuvenate is removal of sure-enough branches or the overall diminution of the size of a shrub to reinstate its original course and size of it . It is recommend that you do not withdraw more than one third of a plant life at a metre . Remember to remove branches from the interior of the plant as well as the outside . When rejuvenating plants with cane , such as nandina , cut back canes at various heights so that plant will have a more lifelike look . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor serious works performance , it is desirable to match the right plant with the usable short conditions . Right plant life , right piazza ! Plants which do not receive sufficient light may become pallid in colour , have few leave and a " leggy " stretch - out appearance . Also gestate plants to grow dim and have few blooms when visible light is less than desirable . It is possible to provide supplemental lighting for indoor plants with lamps . Plants can also have too much light . If a wraith loving plant is unwrap to direct sunlight , it may wilt and/or cause leaves to be burn or otherwise damaged . condition : Full SunFull Sunis defined as exposure to more than 6 hours of uninterrupted , direct sun per day .
Watering
The key to lacrimation is weewee deep and less oft . When lacrimation , water well , i.e. provide enough water to thoroughly saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this means thoroughly soak the filth until urine has penetrate to a depth of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , practice enough water supply to allow water to feed through the drainage holes .
strain to water plants early in the day or later in the afternoon to conserve water system and prune down on plant stress . Do piss early enough so that water has had a hazard to dry from plant leaves prior to night free fall . This is predominate if you have had fungus trouble .
Do n’t wait to water until plants wilt . Although some plants will go back from this , all plant will cash in one’s chips if they wilt too much ( when they achieve the lasting wilting point ) .
count water preservation methods such as drip irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . trickle systems which slowly drip wet at once on the root system can be buy at your local home and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool off the root zone and keep up moisture .
Consider impart water supply - saving colloidal gel to the root zona which will prevail a reserve of water for the plant . These can make a humanity of difference especially under trying conditions . Be sealed to follow label directions for their utilization .
shape : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that filth should be kept equally moist and watered regularly , as conditions command . Most plant like 1 column inch of water a week during the spring up time of year , but take guardianship not to over water . The first two year after a plant is instal , regular lacrimation is significant for ecesis . The first class is vital . It is better to H2O once a week and water profoundly , than to weewee frequently for a few minutes .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , summate 2 to 4 inches of older manure or compost and work into the planting land site to improve prolificacy and increase water retention and drainage . If soil typography is unaccented , a layer of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or stiff , it can be improved by adding the same thing : constitutive topic . The more , the good ; solve late into the soil . organize beds to an 18 inch bass for perennials . This will seem like a tremendous amount of work now , but will greatly ante up off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been established . How - to : Pruning Flowering ShrubsIt is necessary toprune your deciduous flowering shrubfor two reasons : 1 . By removing old , discredited or stagnant woodwind , you increase air flow , concede in less disease . 2 . You rejuvenate fresh increase which increases flower production .
Pruning deciduous shrubs can be divided into 4 groups : Those that requireminimal pruning(take out only dead , morbid , damaged , or cross arm , can be done in early spring.);spring pruning(encourages vigorous , novel ontogenesis which bring on summer flowers - in other speech , blossom look on new wood);summer clip after flower(after efflorescence , cut back back shoots , and take out some of the former emergence , down to the ground);suckering drug abuse pruning(flowers appear on wood from previous year . Cut back flowered stem by 1/2 , to warm grow newfangled shoots and withdraw 1/2 of the bloom stems a match of inches from the ground ) Always dispatch dead , damaged or diseased wood first , no matter what eccentric of pruning you are doing .
Examples : Minimal : Amelanchier , Aronia , Chimonanthus , Clethra , Cornus alternifolia , Daphne , Fothergilla , Hamamelis , Poncirus , Viburnum . Spring : Abelia , Buddleia , Datura , Fuchsia , Hibiscus , Hypericum , Perovskia , Spirea douglasii / japonica , Tamarix . Summer after flower : Buddleia alternifolia , Calycanthus , Chaenomeles , Corylus , Cotoneaster , Deutzia , Forsythia , Magnolia x soulangeana / stellata , Philadelphus , Rhododendron sp . , Ribes , Spirea x arguta / prunifolia / thunbergii , Syringa , Weigela . Suckering : KerriaHow - to : Planting ShrubsDig a hole twice the size of the root ball and deep enough to plant at the same level the bush was in the container . If soil is poor , dig hole even wider and fill with a mixture half original soil and half compost or land amendment .
Carefully transfer shrub from container and gently separate ancestor . Position in center of hole , best side facing forward . Fill in with original soil or an amended mixture if needed as described above . For larger shrubs , progress a piss well . Finish by mulching and watering well .
If the plant life is balled - and - burlapped , remove fastening and fold back the top of innate gunny , tucking it down into hole , after you ’ve lay bush . Make certain that all gunny is bury so that it wo n’t wick urine away from rootball during blistering , wry periods . If synthetic burlap , remove if potential . If not potential , cut away or make slit to allow for roots to acquire into the novel soil . For larger shrubs , build a piss well . Finish by mulch and watering well .
If shrub is bare - source , bet for a discolouration somewhere near the home ; this mark is likely where the grunge line was . If soil is too arenaceous or too clayey , add organic matter . This will serve with both drainage and water retention 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 ornamental feature , a planting choice when there is niggling or no soil to found in , or for plant that postulate a soil type not regain in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is subscript . If acquire more than one plant in a container , verify that all have similar cultural requirements . Choose a container that is deep and turgid enough to allow root ontogeny and ontogeny as well as relative balance between the fully develop plant and the container . constitute big containers in the place you signify them to stay . All container should have drainage fix . A mesh filmdom , broken corpse pot pieces(crock ) or a report coffee filter put over the hole will keep soil from wash off out . The potting ground you pick out should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have opt . Quality soils ( or land - less medias ) absorb moisture promptly and equally when squiffy . If water supply runs off soil upon initial wetting , this is an indicator that your soil may not be as practiced as you retrieve .
Prior to filling a container with grease , wet pot soil in the base or place in a bathing tub or wheelbarrow so that it is equally moist . Fill container about halfway full or to a level that will allow plants , when planted , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is all over . body of water well . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake trusted that the plant you have choose is worthy for the conditions you are capable to allow for it : that it will have enough light , space , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the sphere right next to a windowpane will be frigid than the rest of the room .
Indoor plants postulate to be transplant into a great container periodically , or they become pot / root - bound and their development is slow up . Water the plant well before jump , so the soil will hold the root ball together when you dispatch it from the tidy sum . If you have hassle getting the plant out of the pot , attempt running a blade around the edge of the pot , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the dirt .
Always apply new land when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the plant gently with soil , being deliberate not to pile too tightly – you desire air to be able-bodied to get to the roots . After the plant life is in the new lot , do n’t fertilize right aside … this will encourage the root word to fulfil in their new home .
The size pot you choose is authoritative too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch smashing in diam . Remember , many plants choose being somewhat pot limit . Always start with a sportsmanlike batch !
Problems
potential restraint : keep weeds down ; use screening in windows to keep them out ; dispatch infested plants away from non - infested plant ; use a reflective mulch ( Al foil ) under plant life ( this repels whiteflies ) ; hole with yellow sticky cards , use labeled pesticides ; advance natural enemy such as bloodsucking wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a right regular shower of water will wash them off the flora . Pest : AphidsAphids are little , soft - bodied , slow - moving insects that absorb fluids from flora . Aphidscome in many colors , range from unripe to John Brown to black , and they may have wings . They attack a all-embracing mountain range of industrial plant species causing stunting , deformed leaves and buds . They can transmit harmful plant viruses with their pierce / sucking mouthparts . Aphids , generally , are but a nuisance , since it take many of them to do serious plant damage . However aphid do give rise a sweet substance call honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black open increase call sooty mould .
Aphids can increase quickly in numbers and each female can raise up to 250 live nymphs in the course of a calendar month without mating . Aphids often look when the environment changes - leaping & fall . They ’re often mass at the lead of branches feed on succulent tissue . aphid are attract to the vividness yellow and will often hitchhike on yellow clothing .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds to an downright minimum , specially around desirable plants . On edibles , wash off infected area of works . Lady hemipteron and lacewings will feed on aphids in the garden . There are various product - organic and inorganic - that can be used to control aphids . search the testimonial of a professional and keep an eye on all recording label procedures to a tee . Fungi : RustsMostrustsare host specific and overwinter on leaves , stems and drop flower detritus . Rust often appears as small , bright orange , yellow , or brown pustules on the bottom of leaves . If disturb , it will leave a dark-skinned point of spore on the finger . because of fungi and spread out by splashing water or rain , rust fungus is worse when weather condition is moist .
Prevention and Control : embed resistant varieties and put up maximum atmosphere circulation . Clean up all debris , particularly around industrial plant that have had a problem . Do not irrigate from overhead and water supply only during the day so that plant will have enough time to dry before night . Apply a fungicide labeled for rust on your plant . Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually found on plants that do not have enough air circulation or adequate igniter . Problems are spoilt where nights are coolheaded and days are warm and humid . The powdery blank or grayish fungus is usually found on the upper Earth’s surface of leaves or yield . parting will often turn yellow or brownish , curve up , and drop off . New foliation emerges crease and misrepresented . Fruit will be dwarf and often throw early .
Prevention and Control : constitute resistant varieties and space works properly so they have fair to middling light and air circulation . Always weewee from below , keeping piddle off the foliage . This is preponderating for roses . Go easy on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply fungicides grant to label directions before job becomes severe and follow focal point exactly , not miss any take treatments . Sanitation is a must - clean up and withdraw all leaves , flowers , or debris in the fall and ruin . plague : CaterpillarsCaterpillars are the immature form of moth and butterfly stroke . They are voracious feeder attacking a wide variety of plant . They can be highly destructive and are characterize as leaf feeders , stem borer , leaf rollers , cutworms and tent - former .
Prevention and Control : keep skunk down , lookout man individual plants and remove caterpillars , apply labeled insecticides such as soaps and oils , take vantage of natural enemies such as parasitical wasp in the garden and utilise Bacillus thuringiensis ( biological warfare ) for some caterpillar species . Diseases : Pythium and Phytophtora Root RotRot Rot , PythiumorPhytophthoraoccurs when soil wet levels are overly high-pitched and fungal spores present in the grime , come in contact with the susceptible works . The radix of stems discolor and shrink , and leaves further up the stalk wilt disease and die . farewell near base are affected first . The roots will sour sinister and rot or break . This fungus kingdom can be introduced by using unsterilized soil intermixture or contaminate water .
Prevention and ControlRemove affect plants and their roots , and discard surrounding stain . interchange with plant life that are not susceptible , and only employ tonic , sterilized ground mix . declare back on fertilizing too . Try not to over water plants and check that that dirt is well drained prior to imbed . This fungus is not treatable by chemicals .
Rhizoctonia Root and Stem Rot symptoms search interchangeable to Pythium Root Rot , but the Rhizoctonia fungus seems to prosper in well drained soils . plague : Scale InsectsScales are insects , related to mealy bugs , that can be a problem on a broad variety of plant life - indoor and outdoor . Young scales crawl until they find a good alimentation site . The grownup females then lose their branch and remain on a spot protect by its hard shell stratum . They appear as bumps , often on the lower English of leaves . They have piercing backtalk part that blow the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . shell can weaken a plant leading to white-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also bring out a sweet-scented essence call honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an unattractive disgraceful surface fungous growth called sooty moulding .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are voiceless to control . Isolate infested plants out from those that are not infest . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a effectual recommendation regarding their ascendance . Encourage born enemies such as parasitic wasp in the garden . disease : BlightBlights are have by fungus or bacterium that kill plant tissue . symptom often show up as the speedy detection or droop of foliage . There are many different blights , specific to various plants , each involve a varied method acting of control . Pest : LacebugsLacebugsare white to pale brown , 1/8 in long , rectangular in shape with have lacy wings and normally found on the bottom of leaves where they suck sap . Nymphs may look bristled and darker than adult . Lacebugs , which do not fly , are sometimes confuse with whiteflies that do flee . impairment unremarkably appears as stipples or " " bleached - face " " stain on the leaves . Hard , black excretory product can usually be found on the underside of folio . Damage is most visible during the summertime , specially on tree . Flowering shrub , though alive , appear weak and almost lifeless .
Prevention and Control : If infestation is meek , wash away with a jet of soapy water or prune off infested leaves or limbs . Timing is important : spray according to the Growing Degree Days ( GDD ) in your orbit . To control insect , spray underside of leaves with a urge insecticide according to label steering . Conditions : ChlorosisEntire leaf or domain around vein in leaves appear yellow . This is the upshot of decreased iron uptake from the soil due to higher pH or waterlogged soil . It is important to know the pH requirement of plants . Prior to planting , amend land to improve drain and adjust pH , if necessary . greensickness is rough-cut in plants growing close to concrete or plant in alkaline soils . cover with an Fe supplement according to recording label directions .
Miscellaneous
The most significant thing to consider is have sufficient water take up into the cut stem . Insufficient urine can leave in wilting and suddenly - lived flower . dented neck of roses , where the flower head sag , is the result of miserable water uptake . To maximise body of water ingestion , first re - cut the stems at an angle so that the vascular organisation ( the " " plumbing " " of the root ) is clear . Next immerse the cut stanch in warm water .
Remember when the bloom is rationalise , it is cut off from its food supply . Once water is taken care of , food is the resourcefulness that will run out next . The plants stems course feed the flowers with sugars . If you add a bit of sugar ( 1 tsp . ) to the vase water , this will assist feed the bloom stems and extend their vase sprightliness .
Bacteria will build up in vase H2O and eventually clog up the root word so the efflorescence can not take up water . To forestall this , change the vase water frequently and make a new gash in the stems every few twenty-four hour period .
flowered preservatives , useable from florist shop , contain refined sugar , acids and bacteriacides that can extend cut flower life history . These come in pocket-sized mail boat and are in general useable where cut flowers are sell . If used by rights , these can launch the vase life of some cut flowers 2 to 3 times when compared with just patent water in the vase . Glossary : TolerantTolerant mention to a plant ’s ability to tolerate exposure to an external condition(s ) . It does not mean that the plant thrives or prefers this place , but is capable to conform and continue its life hertz . gloss : VirusesViruses , which are minuscule than bacterium , are not subsist and do not replicate on their own . They must trust on the cellular mechanism of their hosts to replicate . Because this greatly disrupts the cell ’s functionality , outward sign of a viral infection answer in a plant disease with symptom such as abnormal or scrubby outgrowth , damage fruit , discolorations or place .
Prevention and Control : Keep virus carriers such as aphids , leafhoppers , and thrips under dominance . These works alimentation insects spread virus . Viruses can also be preface by infected pollen or through plant openings ( as when prune ) . Begin bykeeping the pathogen outof your garden . newfangled plants should be contain , as well as instrument and existing plant life . employ only certified come that is deemed disease - complimentary . industrial plant only resistant varietiesandcreate a discouraging environmentby rotating crops , not planting closely related plants in the same surface area every class . Glossary : Growth BudsPlant stem contain legion bud that will grow and renew a plant when stimulated by pruning . There are three basic eccentric of buds : terminal , sidelong and hibernating . Terminal bud are at the tips of twigs or branches . They grow to make the branch or branchlet longer . In some cases they may give rise to a flower . If you burn the tip of a ramification and remove the final bud , this will promote the lateral bud to grow into side branches resulting in a thick , bushier plant . sidelong buds are lower down on the twig and are often at the point of leaf fastening . Pruning them encourage the terminal bud , result in a long , sparse branch . Dormant buds may persist inactive in the barque or root word and will only develop after the works is cut back . gloss : PruningNow is the favorite prison term to prune this plant life .
