Azalea style direction

[River's Edge]

This is a satsuki azalea that I acquired five years ago. The basic trunk has some interest but had been allowed to grow out with leggy extensions to a height of 40 inches. Currently it is sixteen inches high and I would like to develop more branching. Some backbudding has occurred but not enough.
Options I am considering include:
Airlayering the top. ( not sure how well azalea respond to air layers)
Grafting is this a viable option for azalea.
Feed heavy and cut back. Try for more backbudding.
I only have a couple of azalea, most of my training and experience is with conifers.

 

[pweifan]

I'm usually a "you should chop the tree" kind of guy, but I think it's beautiful like this. I think the previous chop should be carved, but otherwise I would keep the top as elegant as possible. Keep in mind I know nothing about design

 

[Velodog2]

I agree this is potentially a great tree, especially with that base, taper, and elegant rink line you have created. The low branch looks like it could be a problem with it’s placement and origin, or as much as I can see of it at least. But the design could survive without it.

 

[River's Edge]

I'm usually a "you should chop the tree" kind of guy, but I think it's beautiful like this. I think the previous chop should be carved, but otherwise I would keep the top as elegant as possible. Keep in mind I know nothing about design

Thanks for your comments, i will carve the stub eventually. Right now it is a great anchor point for the wires holding a couple of bends.

 

[River's Edge]

I agree this is potentially a great tree, especially with that base, taper, and elegant rink line you have created. The low branch looks like it could be a problem with it’s placement and origin, or as much as I can see of it at least. But the design could survive without it.

I agree the way it departs from the rear is not too elegant. I am hoping it adds a dimensional element over time. I can also see that it may not be required. Thanks for your insight.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Great movement...and character.

 

[0soyoung]

Airlayering the top. ( not sure how well azalea respond to air layers)

EZPZ

 

[sorce]

I think it only seems to need something because of that giant ass pot.



EZerPZer!

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Hell....it might be just those giant white feet!

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Scan the thumbnail pic....

What is the ONLY thing you notice?

If it was in flower. ..you wouldn't notice over the feet!

Love this tree btw!

Sorce

 

[JudyB]

I too think that the pot is not as suitable as this tree deserves. Something more elegant would be very nice. I like the tree as is, but it does seem a bit off balance, maybe at next repotting take a look at some differing angles.

 

[sorce]

differing angles

I agree...bit that spread is kinda limiting....
Left and we get close to parallel horizontal...

And right hides a lot of good flare....

Forward.....
Heavy....

Especially with that back branch.....

That'll foreshorten that longer skinny part too....

Yes....

Sorce

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

I’d be inclined to work with what you have, and grow it out to soften the curve. It has a nice trunk, I wouldn’t waste it.

 

[JudyB]

Hey Nice @Brian Van Fleet ! That solves the balance problem too.

 

[River's Edge]

I think it only seems to need something because of that giant ass pot.

View attachment 180020

EZerPZer!

Sorce

So my wife says, why are your grinning! I say blame it on Sorce!
I just realized i have spent five years reducing my azalea from over four feet and focussed on the tree so much i have not noticed the pot i put it in after bringing it home.

 

[River's Edge]

I’d be inclined to work with what you have, and grow it out to soften the curve. It has a nice trunk, I wouldn’t waste it.
View attachment 180022View attachment 180023

Thanks Brian, much appreciated! Sometimes i find my focus becomes to narrow on the next possible small step rather than the overall. Makes it harder to define the next step

 

[River's Edge]

I too think that the pot is not as suitable as this tree deserves. Something more elegant would be very nice. I like the tree as is, but it does seem a bit off balance, maybe at next repotting take a look at some differing angles.

Hi Judy, i agree. I have not paid any attention to the pot while under construction. The tree originated from an azalea brought over to Canada by a Japanese gardener and then acquired by my son. When he became ill and passed away the tree came to me. By that time it had grown out and up over four feet tall with no branches lower down. I have been reducing it gradually since 2013. That was the only pot it would fit in when i moved it home.

 

[sorce]

So my wife says, why are your grinning! I say blame it on Sorce!
I just realized i have spent five years reducing my azalea from over four feet and focussed on the tree so much i have not noticed the pot i put it in after bringing it home.

Thank you! Reminds me to keep fresh eyes on my own stuff! Lol!

"Empty your cup"

It's true we only have so much space.
True for everything.

It takes so much mental energy to think a tree to "complete"...
It takes so much focus, losing attention to other things is what happens!

This is just proof that you got this tree to this point with hard work and dedication.

Well done! And I'm sure I'm not telling you anything here....

But there are 2 ways to overcome this glitch in our system..
.Always be Concious of the level of our cup.
..Ask a friend!

This is why I love @MichaelS teaching of..
"Looking at each tree individually"
A cracked Jin incident with @Craigm led me to add...

Look at each tree individually, even each tree as different from it was before.

But further Add...

Or better, simplify it to...

"Look at each tree Anew Every Second"

Set a path and never amd always stay on it!

Ahhhh!

I'm having one of those days!

Loving learning!

Sorce

 

[River's Edge]

Thank you! Reminds me to keep fresh eyes on my own stuff! Lol!

"Empty your cup"

It's true we only have so much space.
True for everything.

It takes so much mental energy to think a tree to "complete"...
It takes so much focus, losing attention to other things is what happens!

This is just proof that you got this tree to this point with hard work and dedication.

Well done! And I'm sure I'm not telling you anything here....

But there are 2 ways to overcome this glitch in our system..
.Always be Concious of the level of our cup.
..Ask a friend!

This is why I love @MichaelS teaching of..
"Looking at each tree individually"
A cracked Jin incident with @Craigm led me to add...

Look at each tree individually, even each tree as different from it was before.

But further Add...

Or better, simplify it to...

"Look at each tree Anew Every Second"

Set a path and never amd always stay on it!

Ahhhh!

I'm having one of those days!

Loving learning!

Sorce

And one of my favourites!
Everything we own, owns a bit of us.
A good friend advises me to only take one tree at a time into my workshop. Consider all aspects, complete every step possible at that time before returning to its resting place.
Since i started that i have improved the ATD .

 

[River's Edge]

I too think that the pot is not as suitable as this tree deserves. Something more elegant would be very nice. I like the tree as is, but it does seem a bit off balance, maybe at next repotting take a look at some differing angles.

Funny thing is, i have never found a person that likes that pot