I will definitely take photos and track techniques I'll use I mostly pick this because they are very cold hardy and have white flowers with a yellow inside. From the info I've been looking at it about them it should be interesting to try to ramify. Since most new branches all bud from previous flower buds on the tips. Going to cut a few of the tall branches down in spring and see how it handles a hard prune back to a smaller plant. I'd does have some smaller, shorter branches coming from the base so going to keep those and get rid off most all of the tall stuff. I did read while researching that the northern hi lights breed started from a university of Minnesota landscape arboretum bred for the cold.I just noticed the name of the azalea you are using for this contest. Rhododendron 'Northern Hi-Lights' is a deciduous azalea, which includes North American native azalea species in its background. The group is sometimes referred to as Exbury Hybrid Azaleas, though the more modern Northern Lights series does not have the typical Exbury species in their background. These have not been used much in bonsai. The collective "we" bonsai community is currently trying to figure out if they need special treatment or not to be used as bonsai. While they should, in theory, work as bonsai, we don't have any track record. Please take notes, as this will be an interesting experiment. Performing an exposed root style on a group that we are not confident will even submit to "typical" bonsai styles is bold indeed. In addition to the contest thread, please include your progress photos in the "Deciduous Azalea Techniques" thread.
Deciduous Azalea Techniques
I have admired deciduous azalea for years. Their growth pattern of short then long internodes is very different from the Satsuki and Kurume. I am particularly interested in the 'Northern Lights' series of winter hardy azalea hybrids. Please post your experiences here. What works, what...www.bonsainut.com
the only other thread on BNut about deciduous azalea is this one, much older and pretty much defunct, being replaced by the above "Deciduous Azalea Techniques" thread.
in the thread below there is repeated confusion between Satsuki, Tsutsusi, and deciduous azaleas. Key is the Deciduous azaleas include one or more native to North America deciduous species in their background.
Deciduous Azaleas
Hi everyone, I was wondering If there are any deciduous azalea varieties that make good bonsai? I know most azalea bonsai are Japanese evergreen varieties. Does anyone have an example of these native azaleas as bonsai? Im asking because I picked up a couple with decent trunks at very a...www.bonsainut.com
Wow just realized I wrote akadama when I meant kanuma oops.Getting prepared for repot neagari style. I'm going to paint the water bottle white and fasten it in a one gallon pot. Using medium akadama sphagnum and sprinkling in large akadama to make interesting roots hopefully.View attachment 281217View attachment 281218
I noticed that on the bag. Nice piece of material. Looking forward to see your creation in 5yrs.Wow just realized I wrote akadama when I meant kanuma oops.
I am fairly new to bonsai and this is an experiment based on an article I saw about creating neagari style. So fair warning I dont technically know if this will accomplish it.I did not know this was how that style was accomplished!
I always thought the plant was just gradually raised from the soil line over years.
Guess I could have looked it up lol.
Not good my other azalea is doing much better. It leaved out in spring but then 3-4 weeks later it dropped all its leaves. I was probably way to aggressive on my trimming and repot. Definitely take it slower next time.How's it coming along?
Sounds good, maybe it's in shock? If you start a new tree remember it must be untouched nursery stock.Yeah I dont know I have another that was also started from nursery that I have all the pics for that i bought in spring this year. So I could update with that but I havent done a scratch test or anything to see if it's dead yet.
Oh you said untouched. I already started the other one. Guessing could go buy a new one if it comes to it maybe I'll buy evergreen th his time to mix it up.Sounds good, maybe it's in shock? If you start a new tree remember it must be untouched nursery stock.
Sure you can switch if the other is dead. Purpose of the contest is to pick a plant, stick with it, and transform it to a bonsai annotating ones process on the journey. If everyone keeps switching plants no one would have anything presentable in 5yrs time.This was purchased untouched in spring this year cantView attachment 313059 I just switch to this as my entry?
Makes sense! I'm going to switch to this one I have the progress photos so I'll put them up now so the thread is up to date.Sure you can switch if the other is dead. Purpose of the contest is to pick a plant, stick with it, and transform it to a bonsai annotating ones process on the journey. If everyone keeps switching plants no one would have anything presentable in 5yrs time.