Deciduous Azaleas

[Lazylightningny]

What size are the leaves? Seen one at the nursery that made me go...Hm-mmm completely deciduous. So no clue on leaf size.

They're fairly large so far. I am still developing it, so I don't know if they'll reduce yet.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Went back to the nursery. For there were two I was trying to decide on. The one I went back for...made it to the compost bin. Was beyond dormant it seems. They let me walk in the greenhouse hospital of one's they are babying...and the azalea made it there. So I passed on it. Commented It sucked the other made compost...and seen a wegiela catch my eye. Slow waking up...had some leaves. Some scratch tests show branches not dead. Peaked my curiosity. So...they sent it home with me to cheer me up over the loss of the other one.

Has quirky factor...if it recovers. Winter was harsh...things waking then getting cold again some shrubs were a loss by it.

 

[oddirt]

I plan to install a pond in the area so most Azalea will be dug out in the spring. I hope to pot as many as I can and begin to explore the species.
There's also rhododendron, which is a larger shrub with pink flowers. I don't find these as appealing, though there's always possibility. I've never seen bonsai of either of these native species, but I'm going to try the smaller Azalea and see what can be done.

Hi Rick, how did it go with the Pacific azaleas (Rhododendron occidentale)? I would love to give this beautiful native species a try if you think it's a worthwhile endeavor.

 

[RKatzin]

Hi Rick, how did it go with the Pacific azaleas (Rhododendron occidentale)? I would love to give this beautiful native species a try if you think it's a worthwhile endeavor.

Well, I had to back burner that project so I haven't dug any azaleas yet. I do think they're worthwhile and should do good in East Bay area.

 

[oddirt]

Well, I had to back burner that project so I haven't dug any azaleas yet. I do think they're worthwhile and should do good in East Bay area.

Thanks for the encouragement. Let me know if you need a hand with the pond!

I have noticed that the fairly young ones have small leaves and short internode length, so I’ll try pruning to keep them compact during the initial structure development phase, as Leo posted earlier in this thread. Watershed Nursery in Richmond is selling a ton. Their early growth is fast but then they grow really slowly, but I haven’t done the modern soils with aggressive organic fert with these yet.

This technique seems to work for native maple species like A macrophyllum that would otherwise grow long and thin. More tips would be welcomed.

 

[Underdog]

I have a Gibralter deciduous posted in this newer thread started by @Leo in N E Illinois for us to learn collectivly as well.

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

It's grown well this season and starting to get some bronzing in the leaves. It will be my first winter with it so...

 

[Underdog]

Showing a bit of color change

 

[cozmicat]

Showing a bit of color change

that looks great! Any update on this? Is this a northern light series? I purchased one in a 3 gal nursery pot. Not sure where to start... lol

 

[Underdog]

Gibraltar exburry. Woke up early as I took it to Florida with me for February. More about them in Leo's thread linked above.

Will be cutting back pretty hard after flowering this year. I may cut back on 3 of the 4 trunks to the lowest bud prior to flowering to see what happens. I got to see the pretty orange flowers last year.

 

[cozmicat]

Gibraltar exburry. Woke up early as I took it to Florida with me for February. More about them in Leo's thread linked above.
View attachment 290880
Will be cutting back pretty hard after flowering this year. I may cut back on 3 of the 4 trunks to the lowest bud prior to flowering to see what happens. I got to see the pretty orange flowers last year.

it’s a great looking bonsai. I have a golden light azalea, it’s from the northern light series. I also live in Seattle, so I will let it flower then repot and prune slightly.

 

[Lazylightningny]

Exbury azalea Apr 2019 before and after, June 2019, and Sep 2019. Leaves were fairly large, but I fertilized heavily. Plan for 2020 is beginning ramification and continued root growth. I'll continue to fertilize heavily. Maybe go into a grow pot next year. I may also layer the base at some point.

Anyone with experience ground layering azalea for new roots?

 

[cozmicat]

View attachment 290907View attachment 290908View attachment 290909View attachment 290910

Exbury azalea Apr 2019 before and after, June 2019, and Sep 2019. Leaves were fairly large, but I fertilized heavily. Plan for 2020 is beginning ramification and continued root growth. I'll continue to fertilize heavily. Maybe go into a grow pot next year. I may also layer the base at some point.

Anyone with experience ground layering azalea for new roots?

Man! You did a great job on that plant. Looks great. Please share the progress of it, you’re inspiring me.