According to Tatemori Gondo, the cultivation of Satsuki azaleas was not allowed to common people in Japan until the Edo period, 1603-1867. At first they were cultivated only for their flowers, in their natural style, until the availability of wire during the Taisho period, 1912-1926, allowed their formation in any style. The most common style is the informal vertical (Moyogi), although they adapt to many others.
The Japanese catalog that I have shows a thousand varieties of Satsuki, which give us every year the spectacle of their magnificent and long flowering, although the number continues to increase due to hybridization among the existing varieties, which differ in size, shape and color of their flowers. More information can be found on the website of the Azalea Society of America: https://www.azaleas.org/
Most, but not all, require an acidic substrate, soft water, and summer sun protection. Seasonal care shows peculiarities related to their growth and the preparation for flowering: Mesuki: a single bud, Kiri-modoshi: clear leaves and branches, Futame-futaba-nokoshi: two leaves / two buds, Sentandome: pinching buds, Motobadome : defoliation, Kojiku-kiri: styling by pruning, Higari: post-flowering care.
It is easier than it seems to be. If you are interested in the subject, you may request our works calendar at: Info@hatoen.com
