Evergreen Azalea

[JLee9706]

Impulse buy... tips?!
I’ve been told of watering (2-3 times a week) and sunlight restrictions (mostly shade). I’ve had it for about two weeks now. I wanted to make sure I could keep it alive before doing any work on it.
I wanted to see if there was any tips for growth or changes to the existing regimen.

thanks.

 

[sorce]

tips?

They put chewing gum in the impulse buy area.

I reckon you'll faster make a bonsai with chewing gum.

So.....speaking of chewing gum. I know it's illegal to spit on the ground in some places, Germany I believe.

Here, it's still perfectly OK to throw straws, containers, cigarette butts, etc etc on the ground.

Covid is Latin for Joke.

Sorce

 

[HorseloverFat]

Start observing it.. create an open dialogue with the tree. Find out what It wants, then mentally map what YOU want.. then find the “intersecting points” of idea.

Visually eliminate/keep certain branches.. get a feel for a design, actually several designs before making any decisions.

Also a picture of the trunk/branch structure closer up, and maybe from an additional angle might make it easier to really “see what’s going on” In there...

Also important to note that Azaleas do NOT “scar over”, and deadwood is (in most cases) a PORT for bacterial/ fungal issues. Best off arming yourself with some wound paste.

 

[bunjin]

Right now in CA you should be watering at least once, maybe twice a day. When it gets cooler maybe a repot would be advised that would show more of the lower trunk and allow you to make a plan for its styling. Normally I would say pull it out of the container to see what the root ball is like, but maybe later. Do you know what the cultivar is?

 

[armetisius]

Believe it or not but an evergreen azalea is a plant I often give someone who wants to learn about bonsai. "Take it and come back in a year. If it is still alive we will start to learn bonsai." If you can't keep a plant alive in the easy growth culture of nursery culture I certainly am not going to trust you to learn the more dedicated work of bonsai.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Welcome Aboard!

I see you’ve gotten some ‘words of ‘wisdom‘ already... Here’s a bit more to help you succeed.

To help you get to know your plant and some wraparound care I’d explore these starter resources.

To start with - find out what cultivar you have - this helps a lot, especially when you are looking for advice.... (find the tag or go back to the shop and find out)

1. Rhodyland - All azaleas are rhododendron, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas . Check out the planting, care and diseases sections at least. Get to know the beast!

When you want to create a bonsai:

For potting

2. Normal Azalea bonsai potting Herrons bonsai (btw do a really good root wash first time)

For Care

3. Care guide on Harry Harrington’s Bonsai4me site - This is for Satsuki, and it’s a good start. The only thing that might be different is time of blooming. Find out when that is and alter the schedule of pruning based on that.

4. Bonsai Tree Care Guide is good overall data

cheers and good luck!
DSD sends

 

[JLee9706]

Right now in CA you should be watering at least once, maybe twice a day. When it gets cooler maybe a repot would be advised that would show more of the lower trunk and allow you to make a plan for its styling. Normally I would say pull it out of the container to see what the root ball is like, but maybe later. Do you know what the cultivar is?

Thanks for the tip!

I do not.
Would you advise to wait until January to repot?

 

[JLee9706]

Welcome Aboard!

I see you’ve gotten some ‘words of ‘wisdom‘ already... Here’s a bit more to help you succeed.

To help you get to know your plant and some wraparound care I’d explore these starter resources.

To start with - find out what cultivar you have - this helps a lot, especially when you are looking for advice.... (find the tag or go back to the shop and find out)

1. Rhodyland - All azaleas are rhododendron, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas . Check out the planting, care and diseases sections at least. Get to know the beast!

When you want to create a bonsai:

For potting

2. Normal Azalea bonsai potting Herrons bonsai (btw do a really good root wash first time)

For Care

3. Care guide on Harry Harrington’s Bonsai4me site - This is for Satsuki, and it’s a good start. The only thing that might be different is time of blooming. Find out when that is and alter the schedule of pruning based on that.

4. Bonsai Tree Care Guide is good overall data

cheers and good luck!
DSD sends

Thanks! I appreciate the tips!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Thanks for the tip!

I do not.
Would you advise to wait until January to repot?

Yes, I would..late Jan. You can initially style it then too.

That will give you some time to take care of it and research and plan for the repot and aftercare.

Once you put it in a Bonsai pot you will need to treat it much different then in a nursery pot.

After that the hardest part might be to have the patience to let it grow properly before you style it again.

Oh yes, if possible, find the tag or go back to the store you purchased it and discover what cultivar you have.

Good luck and keep us posted!
DSD sends

 

[bunjin]

Thanks for the tip!

I do not.
Would you advise to wait until January to repot?

I will try my best to be brief. It looks like you are in somewhere around Zone 9. So it will probably be below freezing in Jan. despite the fact in CA we are having warmer winters. Azaleas, at least the ones we deal with on the West Coast, are semi-dormant in Jan. as they are usually left outdoors. I have repotted azaleas in the middle of winter, but only for critical care plants. I recommend that you repot at the times it is recommended by most of the azalea care calendars, namely Feb. to March, or May-June after they bloom. Also you will probably have issues with removing a lot branches near the base of the trunk after observing your tree. Some people have erroneously stated that azaleas will not heal cuts. They will heal slowly with proper technique and using Top-Jin paste or similar. After you make your styling decisions, removal of those branches should be gradual. That will give the bark the best chance to heal over since it is likely that there will be many cuts. Healthy azaleas regrow the fine roots very quickly after repotting during the active season. I think you have a pretty good azalea to work with. Best of luck with it.