Azalea #1

[Cmd5235]

I finally decided to do something with this ugly little azalea. I collected it years ago (I’m talking close to 20) and kept it in the same small pot, never fertilized, never pruned, and never repotted. I literally forgot about it tucked away, but decided to give it a shot this year. Going for a cascade, going to use this thread to document.

Before:



After finally getting a little love and styling:

 

[Cmd5235]

Update:

I will be moving this to a cascade pot next spring

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Really like what you’ve done with this tree!

Believe it’s safe to cut down the apex branch now there is a really nice mass of foliage to take its place.

Looking forward to future developments!

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Cmd5235]

Really like what you’ve done with this tree!

Believe it’s safe to cut down the apex branch now there is a really nice mass of foliage to take its place.

Looking forward to future developments!

Cheers
DSD sends

Thank you! I'm growing the top out just a bit to thicken it slightly- there's a decent sized scar on the back side of the tree and I think the top (that I'll keep) needs just a little more growth. I'm planning to cut that top next spring

 

[pandacular]

Why not wire out the cascade branch fully rather than using just a few guy wires? Azaleas are lovely to wire into nice elegant forms, and I think this tree long term would be greatly enhanced by that, even if most of that branch ends up being a sacrifice.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Thank you! I'm growing the top out just a bit to thicken it slightly- there's a decent sized scar on the back side of the tree and I think the top (that I'll keep) needs just a little more growth. I'm planning to cut that top next spring

With this amount of foliage and the tree’s robust health, the scar is likely healing as fast as possible. Would cover with Top Jin and if large, once dry cover again with the Green top (conifer/azalea) cut paste. Seems to enhance healing… maybe due to anti fungal, or just keeping the area clean?

@pandacular makes a good point. At this time after flowering pruning is first, then wiring. It’s a good time to do this if enhancing the design is desired. Not in August. If bending sometimes it helps to bend azaleas a bit, then come back in two weeks and do a bit more etc.

Looking forward to seeing your future posts.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Cmd5235]

Why not wire out the cascade branch fully rather than using just a few guy wires? Azaleas are lovely to wire into nice elegant forms, and I think this tree long term would be greatly enhanced by that, even if most of that branch ends up being a sacrifice.

I'm going to have to look up some good examples, but good point. I've been so careful to try to get it to where it is without breaking, but you're right- it's time to wire it fully

 

[Cmd5235]

With this amount of foliage and the tree’s robust health, the scar is likely healing as fast as possible. Would cover with Top Jin and if large, once dry cover again with the Green top (conifer/azalea) cut paste. Seems to enhance healing… maybe due to anti fungal, or just keeping the area clean?

@pandacular makes a good point. At this time after flowering pruning is first, then wiring. It’s a good time to do this if enhancing the design is desired. Not in August. If bending sometimes it helps to bend azaleas a bit, then come back in two weeks and do a bit more etc.

Looking forward to seeing your future posts.

Cheers
DSD sends

I have other cut paste, I'll have to order some Green top.

Great info on the bending as well, thank you

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Thanks. So sorry it’s cut paste.

This is the type I meant:

Amazon.com

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Cmd5235]

Repotted today, but I realize I will need to repot tomorrow as it is slightly off center! I think it shifted as I really got in there with the chopstick

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Just my thoughts. The pot is pretty small for an azalea of this size. However, ought to be ok for a year or two due to the foliage ramification phase with the clip and grow that’s next.

At that point the resultant foliage increase, if done well, will require more root space.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Glaucus]

Actually even visually, the cascade pot looks like it is too small/tall and about to fall over, imo. In terms of pot size, one can leverage the fact that for a cascade, you want the pot to invoke stability. As opposed to more normal bonsai where you want the pot to be small so the tree looks visually bigger. This offsets the natural requirements that azaleas have for a larger pot. Especially important in climates with hot summers.
I'd probably go full cascade on this one. Which means that eventually the semi-straight former apex, has to go. And there has to be a counterbranch to the cascade instead. Which is right there for you to use.

Actually, some impressive work growing this one out like this.

 

[Cmd5235]

Just my thoughts. The pot is pretty small for an azalea of this size. However, ought to be ok for a year or two due to the foliage ramification phase with the clip and grow that’s next.

At that point the resultant foliage increase, if done well, will require more root space.

Cheers
DSD sends

I’m wondering if I should just put it back into a deeper plastic grow pot for the year. It was in a low tray with just horizontal root space for a while, but that would confirm more to a future, larger cascade pot

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Sure, if it could be done without damage.

Honestly the tree is still in development and it is best to keep this in mind for all the trees in your collection.

You have a really decent vision for the tree. Yet placing a tree one hopes to further develop into a display type pot is counterproductive, slowing down progress towards creating a developed bonsai. Pretty sure that’s not what was desired.

A good set of initial goals here would be to wire create a good solid primary structure with a sinuous line and suitable corresponding apex and to push back growth using modified clip and grow, without allowing the azalea to bloom for at least another year to ramify the tree. (Keeping the azalea from blooming by removing the buds just as they color will allow at least one, perhaps two extra rounds of clip and grow each year.)

Together these actions will create a cleaner more complete profile, enhance back budding and ramification, and will speed progress towards producing a more well honed bonsai.

Once the tree is back in a developmental pot would you be able to post a new image. Also one in mid June and End of August? This will give folks a chance to see how progress is going.

Best,
DSD sends

 

[Cmd5235]

Repotted back in the training pot with a little light pruning. I'm not going for flowers at this point, just working on the structure (flowers are all white for the record).

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Be a good time to work on the apex and pass. Here are a couple images to help guide you on your styling journey.







Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Cmd5235]

Be a good time to work on the apex and pass. Here are a couple images to help guide you on your styling journey.

View attachment 605549

View attachment 605550

View attachment 605551

Cheers
DSD sends

Thank you! That’s the goal for this weekend

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

You are welcome…. That was apex and pads.

Best
DSD sends