oddirt
Mame
This entry is late to the party but I was breech-born and came into the world late, so it's just how I roll 
. This little one in a 1 gallon can is a western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale), a native from the California Floristic Province that grows nearby. Category is Leggy-Shrubby Realness.
There's a post on deciduous azalea techniques where some notes on this species were posted. Check out the pics of the species growing in one of its diverse native habitats alongside carnivorous plants in a sphagnum bog. This one is from up the coast, a park called Stagecoach Hill, and grown out at California Flora Nursery. The flowers are sublime. Here's one planted in my garden but from a different locale, so the flowers on my entry will end up looking different.
I've scoured the web and haven't seen that anyone has worked with this species for bonsai before. Given its unique natural conditions, some of the usual horticultural techniques may not apply. These aren't as vigorous as ones in the horticultural trade, so I'm going to go slowly and steadily with any work. I made a first cut on the larger branch above a leaf just to be safe. If I get more buds further down, then I'll cut the straight section shorter. The tiny bit of wire is there to hold a sacrifice branch in a position to get better light.
It's been slip potted up into a 3 gallon for the next couple years of growth. Even though they've grown slowly in my landscape, I'll be experimenting with soils and fertilizing regimens on other plants I have to see if they respond vigorously to bonsai culture. Notes on those experiments will be posted in the deciduous azalea techniques thread.
Design-wise, I'll be drawing from what I've seen of them in nature, working with its natural habit and not forcing it into a form that doesn't fit. Not sure how just yet, but maybe the design will keep presenting itself. General comments are welcome but I'd be especially happy for design feedback from folks who've seen these in nature or have cultivated these.
. This little one in a 1 gallon can is a western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale), a native from the California Floristic Province that grows nearby. Category is Leggy-Shrubby Realness.There's a post on deciduous azalea techniques where some notes on this species were posted. Check out the pics of the species growing in one of its diverse native habitats alongside carnivorous plants in a sphagnum bog. This one is from up the coast, a park called Stagecoach Hill, and grown out at California Flora Nursery. The flowers are sublime. Here's one planted in my garden but from a different locale, so the flowers on my entry will end up looking different.
I've scoured the web and haven't seen that anyone has worked with this species for bonsai before. Given its unique natural conditions, some of the usual horticultural techniques may not apply. These aren't as vigorous as ones in the horticultural trade, so I'm going to go slowly and steadily with any work. I made a first cut on the larger branch above a leaf just to be safe. If I get more buds further down, then I'll cut the straight section shorter. The tiny bit of wire is there to hold a sacrifice branch in a position to get better light.
It's been slip potted up into a 3 gallon for the next couple years of growth. Even though they've grown slowly in my landscape, I'll be experimenting with soils and fertilizing regimens on other plants I have to see if they respond vigorously to bonsai culture. Notes on those experiments will be posted in the deciduous azalea techniques thread.
Design-wise, I'll be drawing from what I've seen of them in nature, working with its natural habit and not forcing it into a form that doesn't fit. Not sure how just yet, but maybe the design will keep presenting itself. General comments are welcome but I'd be especially happy for design feedback from folks who've seen these in nature or have cultivated these.
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