I haven't figured that out yet, does anybody have a recommendation? Right now I'm just enjoying the blooms.When you plan to cut back?
Sorry to see and hear that. If this one doesn't make it you have a back up to replace it?...and now not looking good. I left it out in full sun over two days over 90 degrees and even though I watered it 2-3x per day, I think the young leaves couldn’t handle it. Crispified
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I’ve got it in the shade now, but I’m afraid it may not make it. All the leaves are brown and crisp to the touch. Any tips to help it pull through?
I think you're right about the substrate being at least part of the problem. It's a mix of about 45% pumice / 45% kiryu / 10% lava. My supplier was out of Akadama when I ordered soil components, so I thought the Kiryu would be similar. This year is also the first year that I'm mixing up my own soils from components (and I'm only 11 months into attempting bonsai in total) - so a lot to learn still. The kiryu is probably ok for my pines and junipers, but perhaps doesn't retain enough water for more thirsty plants.Yeah, that looks pretty crisp. Does your substrate retain less water than say kanuma? Or are the brown pieces you do have kanuma? I don't know how continental your weather is, but I would think this wouldn't have happened if the substrate retained more water. With a pot that large and watering 2 to 3 times, it getting fried in early June, sounds like this is not the right substrate mix for an azalea. If the roots still have water, I wouldn't expect the leaves to go limp, then crisp, because of the intense sun. Unless of of course you move it from a moist shade immediately to a hot exposed spot.
Thanks, Leo. I can feel that you are rooting for my little plant to pull through . I definitely appreciate you taking the time to give advice and encouragement!Sorry to see this, things were looking pretty good back on May 28. I know your area's weather. Full sun in St. Louis is pretty hot. Hotter than in Japan or Netherlands, where Harunobu posts from. In the future, afternoon shade is best for your evergreen azaleas - the satsuki and kurume types used for bonsai. You can try setting the crispy one in full shade, give it 2 months, if it has not releafed out by then it truly is toast.
Your potting mix sounds too dry for Saint Louis heat. I would try to get Kanuma, rather than Akadama for your azaleas. If you are also growing maples or hornbeams or beech, Kanuma is acceptable for them. If most of your bonsai require Akadama, and you only have Akadama, you can use akadama. You don't have to go 100% of the Japanese "dirt", but you should get closer to 50%. IF I remember correctly Kiryu is a coarse river sand, so does not hold much water either.
You can also use a 25 to 50% bark & 50% pumice mix, or if you can find a peat that is not milled to a fine powder, you can use a sifted peat & pumice mix. IF you can get a hold of David Kreutz, he should have a good stock of Kanuma. He lives in the Saint Louis area, but he may be difficult to get a hold of.
I believe Pitoon will allow you to substitute another entry for the contest, if you are still excited about the contest. Hope you stick with trying to learn azaleas, they are a rewarding group. They have a few quirks and demands that you have to learn, but all in all they are pretty easy to take care of once you figure out their quirks. Three azaleas are part of the 10 longest in my care trees. They are easy to keep going once you get the hang of them.