Excited about my new azalea!

[きれいSatsuki]

Hey everyone! I'm fairly new to this site and figured I should join considering that I just purchased my third bonsai--but in particular it is my FIRST Satsuki Azalea and I'm going to need all the advice I can get (I still feel like I haven't read enough about azaleas)! It is a Nyohozan (var.) and was originally imported from Japan. I'm not going to lie, it was a pretty impulsive buy!

What do you guys think?

 

[Cadillactaste]

A book that was suggested to me was this one when I got mine: (It has a monthly check list calendar which I'd say is pretty sweet!)
http://www.stonelantern.com/Satsuki_Azaleas_for_bonsai_tree_and_azalea_lovers_p/b1sat.htm

Looks like a lot of pots in the background of the first photo. By the way...welcome to bonsai...a great hobby. One main tip to azalea...they do not do dry. I've heard it can be a killer.


Nice avatar photo by the way...

 

[discusmike]

Nice tree,hate to see it dead.

 

[きれいSatsuki]

A book that was suggested to me was this one when I got mine: (It has a monthly check list calendar which I'd say is pretty sweet!)
http://www.stonelantern.com/Satsuki_Azaleas_for_bonsai_tree_and_azalea_lovers_p/b1sat.htm

Looks like a lot of pots in the background of the first photo. By the way...welcome to bonsai...a great hobby. One main tip to azalea...they do not do dry. I've heard it can be a killer.


Nice avatar photo by the way...
View attachment 84909

As a matter of fact, I was searching for a good book about azaleas. Thanks for the book suggestion! I'll definitely look into it

Hahaa! Seems to me we've got some similarities--Bonsai & BPs!

 

[JoeR]

Actually there is a book on azaleas for sale on the Facebook Bonsai groups.

You should join them if you haven't already.

 

[Cadillactaste]

As a matter of fact, I was searching for a good book about azaleas. Thanks for the book suggestion! I'll definitely look into it

Hahaa! Seems to me we've got some similarities--Bonsai & BPs!

My husband teases we have a small zoo. He told me no to the snake...several times actually. But I wasn't grasping the full extent but thought it was timing. He loves having the snake now. Lol loves seeing the faces of ones when they learn its my snake. (We also have ornate wood turtles,chinchillas, an Australian Shepard and two English Bulldogs.)


There are a few azalea books in print. This one is to be one of the best. (I've not seen the rest to compare. But am pleased by what I'm finding in it)

 

[Eric Group]

That is a great little tree! Please take very good care of it!

Looks a little full, after it flowers for you this year, consider removing some growth to show the trunk better and create some separation in the foliage pads.

They do like it nice and moist (.not soaking in a pool of water WET, but moist..). Do not let it dry out and offer some protection from really cold weather this winter. If it is getting much below 15 degrees F, protect it for the night in an unheated storage space like a shed or garage. Do not "pick at it too much, and do not attempt a repott in the winter or something like that... You have a nice tree there. Please think before you make any drastic changes and if in doubt, ask some people here- lots of good experience on this forum.

If you decide to report, wait until Spring and be careful with the roots. Some deciduous trees and more vigorous trees will take a wicked beating to their roots and be fine.. An Azalea should be treated a bit more delicate. You can cut little wedges around the edge of the root mass to incorporate new soil, but be careful going for a huge cut back and bare root repott on an established old Bonsai like this one.

Please keep us updated.

 

[JoeR]

What other two trees do you have and how long have you had them?

Just curious. I think you can handle this azalea no problem.

 

[きれいSatsuki]

My husband teases we have a small zoo. He told me no to the snake...several times actually. But I wasn't grasping the full extent but thought it was timing. He loves having the snake now. Lol loves seeing the faces of ones when they learn its my snake. (We also have ornate wood turtles,chinchillas, an Australian Shepard and two English Bulldogs.)


There are a few azalea books in print. This one is to be one of the best. (I've not seen the rest to compare. But am pleased by what I'm finding in it)

Hi Darlene,

I would love to own as many animals as you do one day, but unfortunately I live in NYC and my apartment doesn't allow any pets (I had to smuggle my BP in hah). Honestly, I don't think you can have enough animals esp. if you know you have room for them! I'm thinking of getting a green tree python once I move to another area of the city, a dog will have to wait once I own a house

I've actually put the book you recommended on order! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[きれいSatsuki]

Actually there is a book on azaleas for sale on the Facebook Bonsai groups.

You should join them if you haven't already.

Hi JoeR,

What Facebook group is that? I recall joining two actually, one is a bonsai auction group, the other a bonsai sale group.

I currently have a Cotoneaster and a Lavender Grewia. My Cotoneaster is about 6 yrs old and my Lavender Grewia is 12. I wanted to join the group specifically to learn more about satsuki, considering that they are pretty "unique" when it comes to care and maintenance

 

[Cadillactaste]

Hi Darlene,

I would love to own as many animals as you do one day, but unfortunately I live in NYC and my apartment doesn't allow any pets (I had to smuggle my BP in hah). Honestly, I don't think you can have enough animals esp. if you know you have room for them! I'm thinking of getting a green tree python once I move to another area of the city, a dog will have to wait once I own a house

I've actually put the book you recommended on order! Thanks for the suggestion!

Yeah...having the room is important...all in good time. (Never planned on having three dogs though. Bought the Aussie when our senior bulldog took a spell 5 years ago. Thinking he wouldn't be around much longer. Glad he has though.) If I could choose another snake. It would be a hog nose snake. Their characteristics are amusing. But, having a slightly venomous snake with a son who is allergic to mosquitoes and such...is not wise. He could have a serious reaction to it. Though they have to really chew since its at the back of their jaws...and they are not considered life threatening to a person. (Unless your allergic) But the snake that you mention is one I had seen that got me over the hump of fear snakes once brought. They are one amazing looking snake. But I'm not up to using a snake pole on one. And they are known to be aggressive in nature. More power to you...if you can do it. Just overcoming fear of snakes...I can't say that I could.

You won't regret that book. It's got the guess work taken out of it. With monthly tasks one should do. Really cool feature that makes that book priceless if you ask me.

 

[きれいSatsuki]

That is a great little tree! Please take very good care of it!

Looks a little full, after it flowers for you this year, consider removing some growth to show the trunk better and create some separation in the foliage pads.

They do like it nice and moist (not soaking in a pool of water WET, but moist..). Do not let it dry out and offer some protection from really cold weather this winter. If it is getting much below 15 degrees F, protect it for the night in an unheated storage space like a shed or garage. Do not "pick at it too much, and do not attempt a repot in the winter or something like that... You have a nice tree there. Please think before you make any drastic changes and if in doubt, ask some people here- lots of good experience on this forum.

If you decide to report, wait until Spring and be careful with the roots. Some deciduous trees and more vigorous trees will take a wicked beating to their roots and be fine.. An Azalea should be treated a bit more delicate. You can cut little wedges around the edge of the root mass to incorporate new soil, but be careful going for a huge cut back and bare root repot on an established old Bonsai like this one.

Please keep us updated.

Hi Eric,

Thanks so much for the wonderful advice. I will absolutely keep you guys updated about this beautiful, shohin! I'm planning on repotting it next year around March. I'm making sure to have the materials for repotting (i.e. Kanuma and yamagoke) ready for it when the time comes. As of now, I just want to let it adjust in this NYC weather.

Btw, do you have any suggestions about organic fertilizers? I've heard more than once that it is best to feed them organic fertilizers vs. inorganic? Also, when do you think is a good time to start pruning most of the leaves to show its structure? I've seen quite a lot of posts here with people doing drastic pruning on their azaleas right after the growing season and feel like I should ask about that.

Thanks!

 

[sorce]

Fatty trunk!

Wicked!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

 

[きれいSatsuki]

Fatty trunk!

Wicked!

Welcome to Crazy!

Sorce

Thanks sorce. Part of the reason why I had to get it was because of the trunk. I just couldn't say no! I believe it has the qualities of a wonderful (moyogi-style) shohin one day.

 

[JoeR]

Hi JoeR,

What Facebook group is that? I recall joining two actually, one is a bonsai auction group, the other a bonsai sale group.

I currently have a Cotoneaster and a Lavender Grewia. My Cotoneaster is about 6 yrs old and my Lavender Grewia is 12. I wanted to join the group specifically to learn more about satsuki, considering that they are pretty "unique" when it comes to care and maintenance

There's the auctions page, .99 can't bonsai, bonsai sales, and one more I can't think of now.

This tree was on one of them wasn't it? I recall seeing a very similar import on there and it may have been this one!

 

[Cadillactaste]

Bonsai Auctions , bonsai classifieds are two more I can think of. Though I got a really nice shimpaku from contacting Scott Lee with BlueRiver bonsai via messenger. He sells on the auctions. But if your looking for something particular drop him a line and a figure your wishing to spend. And he might be able to hook you up. Love my tree I got from him. He sent me several trees to choose from in the price range I was shooting for.

 

[きれいSatsuki]

There's the auctions page, .99 can't bonsai, bonsai sales, and one more I can't think of now.

This tree was on one of them wasn't it? I recall seeing a very similar import on there and it may have been this one!

I actually bought this tree from Soh-Ju-En, a satsuki azalea bonsai nursery based in California. This was one of the trees that they weren't able to post on their website yet, as it was newly imported. I never actually saw them post anything on the Bonsai Auctions Facebook page. Regardless, it is definitely a beautiful little tree

 

[きれいSatsuki]

Bonsai Auctions , bonsai classifieds are two more I can think of. Though I got a really nice shimpaku from contacting Scott Lee with BlueRiver bonsai via messenger. He sells on the auctions. But if your looking for something particular drop him a line and a figure your wishing to spend. And he might be able to hook you up. Love my tree I got from him. He sent me several trees to choose from in the price range I was shooting for.

It is super helpful to have vendors guide you to the right direction! I am currently looking into getting another shohin azalea, maybe more so in the lower price range as I want to be able to compare and contrast both azaleas as they progress during my care.

 

[Cadillactaste]

Well I found his pricing to be very fare. Not sure if he would have what your looking for. But you could ask. I personally...have my one Satsuki Azalea going to see if I get through winter with it. I love it's movement so much that I don't think at this time I want another. I want it to stand out alone on the shelf. (Wrong of me I know.) When I have three bougainvillea. I say go with what makes you happy. You might want to hold off until you feel more confident on this ones care though. That's strictly up to you. I like finding my ground on one...before adding to it. But that's just how I roll. If I found the right azalea...I might be persuaded to change my mind.

 

[きれいSatsuki]

Well I found his pricing to be very fare. Not sure if he would have what your looking for. But you could ask. I personally...have my one Satsuki Azalea going to see if I get through winter with it. I love it's movement so much that I don't think at this time I want another. I want it to stand out alone on the shelf. (Wrong of me I know.) When I have three bougainvillea. I say go with what makes you happy. You might want to hold off until you feel more confident on this ones care though. That's strictly up to you. I like finding my ground on one...before adding to it. But that's just how I roll. If I found the right azalea...I might be persuaded to change my mind.

I completely understand. It's hard to constrain myself from getting more esp. when I'm very excited about this particular specie. I'll try to hold off on getting another one and save it for when I have found the niche for it--but no promises