shibui wrote:Can one of the azalea afficionados please try to explain the differences between satsuki and other azaleas so us plebs can understand please. Everyone uses the terms but no-one has been able to explain them to me.
How do I know if I am looking at a satsuki, kurume indica or other?
Shibui,
Satsuki azaleas where developed mainly from Rh indicum, eriocarpum (simsii) and also nakaharai from Taiwan. They are all hybrids between these and possibly other species. They mainly originated at lower altidudes and therefore can only tolerate mild frost and flower here in November. Contrary to popular belief, indicum is a native of Japan not India. Satsuki thicken their trunks faster than the kurume. Many satsuki have hairy leaves depeding on how much indicum is there. The leaves can also vary form round to long and slender.
Kurume Azaleas where developed mainly from Rh kiusianum which grows up to 1600m elevation and are very cold hardy. Kurumes have kiusianum, kaempferi and sataense in their blood. They flower earlier than the satsuki and have smaller flowers. The growth habit is more upright and less spreading. kiusianum itself makes a very good bonsai subject and can be fully deciduous in very cold areas. Kurume leaves are usually more uniform than the satsuki. Small and rounded apex and without hairs usually. Both satsuki and kurume can have great autumn colours. It is the SPRING leaves which colour up. The summer leaves on BOTH kinds (surrounding the flower buds) usually remain green.
The Indica types are more complicated and not worth worrying about as they are just garden plants and not much good for bonsai as their growth is very coarse and their leaves can be huge.
worth of limited knowledge!
Well done Mike. Another couple of myths busted and some good clear guidelines 
