Mellow Mullet
Masterpiece
This is how I handle Kurume
Repot (if needed) in Feb/March. It has usually flowered by then.
Remove spent flowers/ seed pods after flowering and thin out the canopy. Removing anything that doesn't add to the design and trimming tridents (three branches at a split) back to forks (just two).
Trim the new flush of spring growth to shape, usually happens in April
Continue pruning for shape until the end of June/ first of July.
Leave alone until October, unless it puts out really long shoots and I prune them off or wire it into place if I can use it.
In January, I can see the buds for the flowers, and I will adjust the canopy (shape it up by pruning and wiring) so it will look good when it blooms.
You may have to adjust your timing due to your climate (I think your spring is a lot later than mine).
I usually put a handful of osmocoat on them in the spring, and fertilize with Miracle grow for acid loving plants monthly - all year long. If I get a touch of chlorosis, I will throw in a spoonful of Ironite. I don't use kanuma, akadama, or any other kind of magical soil from Japan, just a mixture of lava, pumice or DE (whichever one I can get), and pine or fir bark; 40/40/20 ratio. They seem to like it and grow like weeds. I have never seen anything grow roots like pumice does, especially on azaleas, they love it.
Repot (if needed) in Feb/March. It has usually flowered by then.
Remove spent flowers/ seed pods after flowering and thin out the canopy. Removing anything that doesn't add to the design and trimming tridents (three branches at a split) back to forks (just two).
Trim the new flush of spring growth to shape, usually happens in April
Continue pruning for shape until the end of June/ first of July.
Leave alone until October, unless it puts out really long shoots and I prune them off or wire it into place if I can use it.
In January, I can see the buds for the flowers, and I will adjust the canopy (shape it up by pruning and wiring) so it will look good when it blooms.
You may have to adjust your timing due to your climate (I think your spring is a lot later than mine).
I usually put a handful of osmocoat on them in the spring, and fertilize with Miracle grow for acid loving plants monthly - all year long. If I get a touch of chlorosis, I will throw in a spoonful of Ironite. I don't use kanuma, akadama, or any other kind of magical soil from Japan, just a mixture of lava, pumice or DE (whichever one I can get), and pine or fir bark; 40/40/20 ratio. They seem to like it and grow like weeds. I have never seen anything grow roots like pumice does, especially on azaleas, they love it.