Hack's Chinzan #1

Hack Yeah!

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I recently purchased my first prebonsai azalea. I'm looking for advice on how best and when to transplant into bonsai soil? General care advice would also be appreciated. The plant also had a wound on the trunk which I thought gave it character, turns out the bark has more rot around the edges than I assessed and needs some type of treatment to harden and preserve it as quickly as possible. 20180803_181845.jpg20180803_181910.jpg20180803_181958.jpg
 

Stan Kengai

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Looking at the close up of the trunk, I see a couple of issues that need to be addressed. First, there appears to be a fair number of brown, unopened flower buds on the soil surface. CLean those out, bag them, and thow in the trash. It likely had/has bud blast, so be sure to treat with a fungicide several times over the fall and winter. This isn't a serious problem, more of an aesthetic issue, but it can spread to other plants.

Second, the splotchy, white patches on the leaves means you have azalea lace bugs. Again, not a serious danger, but if left untreated can weaken the plant. Treat with a systemic insecticide.

As far as repotting goes, you can repot in early spring as the plant starts to grow or wait until after it flowers. I prefer to do major root work, like first repot, early spring. Once the plant is a little more developed, you can repot after flowering to get the best flower display.

Regarding the trunk, you'll want to take care of that sooner rather than later this season, and let the plant grow freely next year to help it heal.
 

Hack Yeah!

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Thanks Stan, I'll take care of each of those issues this weekend. I certainly appreciate your time in replying and have enjoyed your advice on other posts.
 

Hack Yeah!

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I didn't get to repotting this one until now. It had a fairly small rootball to begin with. I've been told that it probably isn't chinzan, due to leaf shape and flower size, so will just call it satsuki x. The pot was chosen because it was the closest in size I wanted, will do for a few years. 20190510_194547.jpg20190517_143650.jpg20190517_152450.jpg20190510_194547.jpg20190517_143650.jpg20190517_152450.jpg
 
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