I read through this thread. It is from 2008, and is a little bit ''outdated''. More so in being unnecessarily obtuse with the language. The whole thread makes Satsuki sound like a "secret handshake society'', even more so than bonsai already is. Relax, Satsuki are not as difficult as this 2008 thread makes them sound like. The Callahan book referred to is excellent, and still available from Stone Lantern Press. The book defines the ''cult terms'' used in the 2008 thread, and explains them with plain english. It also explains timing of pruning, and the different response of the azalea. Late winter hard pruning will have a different effect than pruning hard after blooming. And so on.
Look for John Geangel's YouTube channel, he has a number of excellent videos on azalea.
Virtually all the techniques described for Satsuki azalea can be used on any Rhododendron, the differences are mainly a matter of timing, for non-Satsuki you might do it sooner, or later. With some Rhododendron, you might not prune as often as Satsuki, but by and large, quite a large number of azalea and Rhododendron species are adaptable to bonsai.
He is also a VERY active club member, and a huge asset to the Bonsai Community along with work! Simply stated he cannot be everywhere at once!
