Azalea: Difference between revisions

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Azalea (view source)

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== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
Azalea is in the genus Rhododendron. Azalea means "dry". The flower blooms in the Spring. The name Azalea was first coined in the eighteenth century. <ref name=Name>[http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/AzaleaTitle] Author unknown, Glam family, Date accessed May 7, 2011.</ref>
Azalea belongs to the genus Rhododendron. Azalea means "dry". The flower blooms in the Spring. The name Azalea was first coined in the eighteenth century. <ref name=Name>[http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/0/AzaleaTitle] Author unknown, Glam family, Date accessed May 7, 2011.</ref>


== Anatomy ==
== Anatomy ==
[[Image:Rhododendron japonicum (Gray) Sur..jpg|thumb|150px|left|Description]]
[[Image:Rhododendron japonicum (Gray) Sur..jpg|thumb|150px|left|Description]]
There are several different types of both flower and leaf shapes for Azaleas. Ventricose-campanulate, flat saucer shaped, widely funnel shaped, openly funnel shaped, campanulate, openly campanulate, tubular, rotate, tubular funnel shaped and funnel shaped are the different types or shaped of the flower itself. The flowers come in all different colors. For leaves there are linear, oblong, obovate, orbiculare, elliptic, ovate, lanceolate, and obanceolate. <ref name=Greer>Greer. "Greer's Guidebook to Available Rhododendrons third edition" Offshoot publications, 1996. (p.8).</ref>
There are several different types of both flower and leaf shapes for Azaleas. Ventricose-campanulate, flat saucer shaped, widely funnel shaped, openly funnel shaped, campanulate, openly campanulate, tubular, rotate, tubular funnel shaped and funnel shaped are the different types or shapes of the flower itself. The flowers come in all different colors. For leaves there are linear, oblong, obovate, orbiculare, elliptic, ovate, lanceolate, and obanceolate. <ref name=Greer>Greer. "Greer's Guidebook to Available Rhododendrons third edition" Offshoot publications, 1996. (p.8).</ref>


There are only five lobes to the flower on Azaleas. They only have one stamen for each lobe. The Azalea usually has hair that grows parallel to the suface of the leaf, this is called appressed hairs.<ref>Greer, p.9</ref>
There are only five lobes to the flower on Azaleas. They only have one stamen for each lobe. The Azalea usually has hair that grows parallel to the suface of the leaf, this is called appressed hairs.<ref>Greer, p.9</ref>


There are three requirements that Azaleas have, they need a constant supply of moisture, they must never sit in stangnat water (they might die), and they must be in an acid medium that is enough for the roots to have access to needed oxygen.<ref>Greer, p.9</ref>
Azaleas have three requirements, they need a constant supply of moisture, they must never sit in stangnat water (they might die), and they must be in an acid medium that is enough for the roots to have access to needed oxygen.<ref>Greer, p.9</ref>


== Reproduction ==
== Reproduction ==
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Grafting is where you take a cutting and cut the bottom of the cutting into a long v shape. Then the plant that is being used for understock, is cut so that there is a slit about the same length as the cutting with the v shape. The slit can be placed at the tip of the limb(called top grafting) or in the side (called side grafting).<ref>Greer, p.10</ref>
Grafting is where you take a cutting and cut the bottom of the cutting into a long v shape. Then the plant that is being used for understock, is cut so that there is a slit about the same length as the cutting with the v shape. The slit can be placed at the tip of the limb(called top grafting) or in the side (called side grafting).<ref>Greer, p.10</ref>


Layering is a way to make the new plant identical to the parent plant. This is where a low limb of the plant is pulled down onto the ground, covered with loose soil and weighed down with a rock. This form of propagation takes at least a year to start to really grow. For those who enjoy gardening Azaleas, not only can you let your Azalea reproduce natually, but you can help them reproduce by five different techniques. These five techniqes or ways of propagation is cuttings, grafting, layering, seed, or tissue culture.<ref>Greer, p.10</ref>
Layering is a way to make the new plant identical to the parent plant. This is where a low limb of the plant is pulled down onto the ground, covered with loose soil and weighed down with a rock. This form of propagation takes at least a year to start to really grow.<ref>Greer, p.10</ref>


Cuttings is where you cut from the tip growth of the mother plant and plant the cuttings in the ground and have the cutting root. Dipping the cutting in a rooting hormone that has indolebutyric acid in it, will provide easier rooting. The rooting may take from six weeks to twelve months, sometimes not even at all. This form of propagation will cause the new growth to be identical to the mother plant.<ref>Greer, p.10</ref>
Tissue culture is taking a piece of wood and placing it in a test tube (this process is not for the everday gardener). With the use of agars and auxins, proper temperatures and light, and absolute sanitation, the piece of wood is induced to mature into multiple seedling-like growths, but with no roots. Then the tiny wood is then rooted.<ref>Greer, p.10</ref>
 
Tissue culture is taking a piec of wood and placing it in a test tube (this process is not for the everday gardener). With the use of agars and auxins, proper temperatures and light, and absolute sanitation, the piece of wood is induce to mature into multiple seedling-like growths, but with no root. Then the tiny wood is then rooted.<ref>Greer, p.10</ref>


Seed is a sexual and natural reproduction rather than all of the above being vegatative propagation. As a result this plant will not be a clone. A seed is very tiny, as a result it requires a smooth fine surface in order to start growing. The seed usually takes any where from three to eight weeks, in some cases it takes longer to sprout.<ref>Greer, p.10</ref>
Seeding is a sexual and natural reproduction rather than all of the above being vegatative propagation. As a result this plant will not be a clone. A seed is very tiny, as a result it requires a smooth fine surface in order to start growing. The seed usually takes any where from three to eight weeks, in some cases it might take longer to sprout.<ref>Greer, p.10</ref>


== Ecology ==
== Ecology ==
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There are insects and other pests that a gardener must watch for and get rid of to keep healthy Azaleas. These pests include; the root weevil, bark scale, aphids, leaf miners, caterpillars, leaf rollers, sawflies, spider mites, lacebugs, white flies, slugs, and snails. <ref>Greer, p.15-16</ref>
There are insects and other pests that a gardener must watch for and get rid of to keep healthy Azaleas. These pests include; the root weevil, bark scale, aphids, leaf miners, caterpillars, leaf rollers, sawflies, spider mites, lacebugs, white flies, slugs, and snails. <ref>Greer, p.15-16</ref>


The root weevil tends to be a common problem with Azalea plant damage. The larve does the most damage and it is not mpssible to that damage is accuring until it is too late. The larve eats the roots, eat the essential cambium layer so the plant is unable to feed the top. The adults feed on the plant at night when it is fairly warm. To control these pests, one should spray Orthene on the foliage about every three weeks for about May to October, depending on the weather. <ref>Greer, p.15</ref>
The root weevil tends to be a common problem with Azalea plant damage. The larve does the most damage and it is impossible to see that damage is accuring until it is too late. The larvae eats the roots, as well as the cambium layer so the plant is unable to feed the top of the plant. The adult root weevils feed on the plant at night when it is fairly warm. To control these pests, one should spray Orthene on the foliage about every three weeks for about May to October, depending on the weather. <ref>Greer, p.15</ref>


Small insects that suck to feed on the bark. A sticky substance exudes and turns the stems black. In order to control use Orthene. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>
When small insects that suck to feed on the bark, a sticky substance exudes and turns the stems black. This is called bark scale. In order to control use Orthene. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>


Aphids (a sucking insect) feed on new foliage as it begins to grow, making the leaves to have distorted shapes. In order to control Aphids, us Malathion, Diazinion, or Orthene. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>
Aphids (a sucking insect) feed on new foliage as it begins to grow, making the leaves to have distorted shapes. In order to control Aphids, use Malathion, Diazinion, or Orthene. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>


Caterpillars, leaf rollers, and sawflies all chew on new foliage. They eat out large areas of new growth. Most of the damage is done to new growth. To control use Orthene, Malathion, or Diazinon. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>
Caterpillars, leaf rollers, and sawflies all chew on new foliage. They eat out large areas of new growth. Most of the damage is done to new growth. To kill use Orthene, Malathion, or Diazinon. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>


The pest that causes the top of leaves to turn a brown-green color is the spider mite.  They are a red color and are eight-legged. They suck on the bottom of the leaf, thus causing the discoloration. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>
The pest that causes the top of leaves to turn a brown-green color is the spider mite.  They are a red color and are eight-legged. They suck on the bottom of the leaf, thus causing the discoloration. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>


Lacebugs are small and have transparent wings. They suck on the bottom of leaves.  The underside of the leaf will be a brown residue that has been exuded by the pest while on top of the leaf it turns to a gray-brown color. To control lacebugs, use Orthene or Malathion. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>
Lacebugs are small and have transparent wings. They suck on the bottom of leaves.  The underside of the leaf will be a brown residue that has been exuded by the pest while on top of the leaf it turns to a gray-brown color. To remove lacebugs, use Orthene or Malathion. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>


The white fly looks like an aphid with wings. It leaves white spots at the locations where it has been. It sucks the underside of leaves. Use Malathion, Diazinon, or Orthene to conrol. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>
The white fly looks like an aphid with wings. It leaves white spots at the locations where it has been. It sucks the underside of leaves. Use Malathion, Diazinon, or Orthene to exterminate. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>


Slugs and Snails feed on flowers and new growth. Use Metaldehde baits or sprays to control. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>
Slugs and Snails feed on flowers and new growth. Use Metaldehde baits or sprays to control. <ref>Greer, p.16</ref>


== Other ==
== Festivities ==
Just like there are Tulip festivals, there are Azalea festivals. The festivals usually happen in April.<ref name=Muskogee> [http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/okmuskogeeazalea.html Azalea] Author Unknown, Oklahoma, Date Accessed May 7, 2011. </ref> <ref name=Azalea> [http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/] Author Unknown, North Carolina, Date Accessed, May 7, 2011. </ref>
Just like there are Tulip festivals, there are Azalea festivals. The festivals usually happen in April.<ref name=Muskogee> [http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/okmuskogeeazalea.html Azalea] Author Unknown, Oklahoma, Date Accessed May 7, 2011. </ref> <ref name=Azalea> [http://www.ncazaleafestival.org/] Author Unknown, North Carolina, Date Accessed, May 7, 2011. </ref>


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Image:88493 large.jpg|Pinkshell azalea <br /> (''Rhododendron vaseyi Gray'')<br />  
Image:88493 large.jpg|Pinkshell azalea <br /> (''Rhododendron vaseyi Gray'')<br />  
Image:Adf.jpg|Dwarf azalea <br /> (''Rhododendron atlanticum (Ashe) Rehd. '')<br />  
Image:Adf.jpg|Dwarf azalea <br /> (''Rhododendron atlanticum (Ashe) Rehd. '')<br />  
Image:29325 large.jpg|Lapland rosebay <br /> (''Rhododendron lapponicum (L.) Wahlenb. '')<br />
Image:29325 large.jpg|Lapland rosebay <br /> (''Rhododendron lapponicum '')<br />
</gallery>
</gallery>


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