My Azalea and a question!

[dizza]

So i have this azalea for more than a few years and i am really happy with it.



i want to prune it back in shape but it is autumn now here in the Netherlands and it has a lot of flower buds. Usually i prune back in august when all the flowers are gone. If i prune it back into shape and remove some buds, does it still flower next year?

 

[Rivian]

Yes, the removed flower buds will bloom next year. Just keep them in a fridge until April so they stay fresh.

lol

 

[ShimpakuBonsai]

I have one azalea and I prune it when ever I think it is time to do so.
I don't think about flower buds as long as the tree is in development.
Maybe in a few years time it is better to selectively prune my azalea.

Please add your location and USDA zone to your user profile so members can give you better advice.

 

[queenofsheba52]

Hi @dizza , glad you found this great bonsai site!

I love azaleas and have quite a few in bonsai training. If you prune now, you will not get flowers next spring. I like to enjoy the flowers, and then prune after peak flowering just before the new leaves start coming in. I would recommend that you wait until just after peak bloom next spring to prune.

A couple of things to remember with azaleas: they are prone to dieback after pruning, so be sure to use cut paste and leave enough 'stub' to allow for dieback; their roots are more fine than other trees and need extra care when root pruning to avoid ripping the roots; they like their roots to be near the surface of the growing medium so I try to use pots that are wider than I might otherwise select.

Good luck and enjoy the journey!

 

[roberthu]

Now is likely too late to prune if you want to see flower next year. Heavy pruning is usually best done after flowering.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Wouldn’t prune an azalea now.

Generally speaking azaleas can be thinned and pruned in the spring pre bloom , especially big cuts (Yet not the really big cuts).

…And again post flowering.

…Late fall/winter pruning can be done, especially if the cuts are sealed properly given the azalea has really good storage. But the tree will not respond until spring.

Any buds not pruned will flower.

Looking at the azalea it could stand to grow out into a bit heftier style, this will also have the effect of helping the trunk thicken faster.

Glad to see the pot is deep. Many azaleas I see are planted in a shallower pot and will this may look better, it’s not good for the tree,

PS Please double click your icon and then account details, then scroll down and enter your approximate location in the Netherlands and the USDA zone. This helps us help you and you won’t have write it in your threads… info that is often missed on larger threads

btw There are a good amount of folks on BN from your area.

Good Luck
DSD sends