Rhododendron Satsuki Group

Japanese name: サツキ（園芸品種群） （皐月）
Scientific name: Rhododendron Satsuki Group

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub.
The leaves and branches are covered with many hairs.
The leaves are simple and alternate, elliptical.
The flowers range from red to white, and there are many cultivars.

[History]
It has been bred since the Edo period from wild species such as Satsuki and Maruba-satsuki.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings.
It prefers fertile, acidic soil in a sunny site that is well drained and moisture-retentive.
Avoid dry places, or prevent the base of the plant from drying out by mulching or similar.
For potted plants, it is best to place them in partial shade out of the afternoon sun and direct summer sunlight from spring to autumn, and in a sunny spot sheltered from cold wind from autumn to spring; for plants in the ground, a place shaded by deciduous trees is good.
For potted plants, from autumn to spring water thoroughly when the soil surface dries, and in midsummer water twice a day, in the cool morning and evening, wetting the leaves as well.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient except in summer; in summer water in the cool morning or evening, wetting the leaves as well, and in winter, if dry weather continues, water in the morning on a warm day.
Apply organic fertilizer or a slow-release fertilizer with equal amounts of the three components around the plant three times in total: fertilizer in winter, fertilizer after flowering as thanks to the plant, and in autumn.
Remove spent flowers promptly.
Pests and diseases include brown spot, spider mites, azalea lace bugs and Benimon-aoringa moths.

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