Korean Azalea? Worth messing with?

Stickroot

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I have some Korean Azalea in one gallon Rootmaker bags. I started checking them out the other day and found one that is pretty neat, but don't know anything about them. Anyone ever make good Bonsai from one?
 

sorce

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There is a Korean Bonsai Student on Owens blog.

She has made that a bonsai.

But even if she hasn't.

Who cares!

Sorce
 

Stickroot

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Sawgrass created an outstanding exposed root Azalea (not Korean) for the Spring Box Store Challenge. Looks like an excellent candidate to me.

View attachment 86344
Thanks! Very inspiring. The flower color is Lavender on this Korean.
 
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Andrew Robson

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I have some Korean Azalea in one gallon Rootmaker bags. I started checking them out the other day and found one that is pretty neat, but don't know anything about them. Anyone ever make good Bonsai from one?
The more important question you should be asking is do they have a good flower? If yes, go for it. If no, don't waste your time unless you have an incredible trunk already.
 

GrimLore

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I have some Korean Azalea in one gallon Rootmaker bags.

Is there any ID on them? Asking because they could be Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense Korean Azalea or Rhododendron yedoense var. poukhanense 'Compacta' Korean Azalea. I am pretty certain the 'Compacta' is a little less cold tolerant at Zone 5 and the other handles 4 ok. Either way they can be a darn nice Bonsai.

Grimmy
 

Stickroot

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image.jpeg Cut it back tonight, did 23 cuttings.
Probably repot and wire tomorrow.
 
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armetisius

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Sorry; didn't see this til now.
They do differ in their growth habit a little bit.
Tend to be more "up reaching" in their growth.
Usually twigs join the branch with a more
acute angle in relation to the branch axis.
 

Stickroot

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Sorry; didn't see this til now.
They do differ in their growth habit a little bit.
Tend to be more "up reaching" in their growth.
Usually twigs join the branch with a more
acute angle in relation to the branch axis.
It is very limber compared to others.
So wire it low, or don't waste time on it?
It was free.
 

armetisius

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It is early on and the growth is very limber;
however, because of the growth habit it is
one of the azaleas I would grow more up
and outward kind of like you see Stewartia
grown more often than not. Just seems so much
easier to work with the plant than to constantly
fight it for the life of the plant or the extent of
your patience/sanity. Whichever runs out first.
 

Stickroot

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Here is an update on this mess, I found it behind the old pots under the bench this morning. I think I put it there to rest in the shade after chopping it up and down, or it fell. Anyway it's still alive.image.jpeg
 

GrimLore

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Growing well.

Sure seems to be ok. I would not lean it over that far, slightly but not as much. Not because of any other reasons except it will be far easier to train, shape, style, and pot. The base is real nice but I would not want it to steal the show when it blooms. Happy to see it is doing good ;)

Grimmy
 
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