Two shohin Satsuki

[Dav4]

These are two satsukis I picked up last year as pre-bonsai. The first is 'Shuho No Hikari'. It was repotted this spring and had all obviously unnecessary foliage/branches removed...it hasn't been wired yet. It's got a great nebari which is not readily seen because of the soil.

The second satsuki is 'Hakurei'. It got it's first styling with wire last summer. It was repotted this spring, and will get a second wiring after flowering. Again the nebari is awesome, but the pic isn't.

Dave

 

[Bill S]

Nice finds again, I'm going to have to take a ride, members day this week end I think, maybe it'll be my turn to make you drool.

 

[Dav4]

Thanks Bill. These were purchased last year at the beginning of the summer sell down sale...40% off. If you go to NEBG, say hi to Teddi and Hitoshi for me.

Dave

 

[Victrinia Ensor]

Nice!!! I love satsuki.... The semi-cascade is going to be particularly lovely very quickly.

V

 

[Dav4]

Thanks Vic. I'm new to satsuki...traded in some Ponderosas and Yews for some Satsukis that might appreciate the warmer weather in GA (I moved from MA last summer). Your lucky to live where both Satsuki and Ponderosa do well. By the way, congrats on your own Satsukis' apparent success, and good luck,

Dave

 

[R_F]

Nice start. Thanks for sharing

 

[Victrinia Ensor]

Thanks Dave! And yes... our climate here is ideal for most species... only tropicals baulk, and even then only in the winter/early spring.

I had to make the agonizing choice to remove all my blossoms. I decided that since there was no way the tree would be in bloom for the show, that I was not willing to use up it's energy for no purpose... so I removed almost 400 blossoms/flower buds yesterday. The carnage on the garage floor broke my heart.

V

 

[Dav4]

update

Some pics from today. I finally got around to wiring the Shuho No Hikari. Despite being quite wind burned over the winter, it has grown vigorously this spring.

 

[Dav4]

My Hakurei continues to fill in and flowers profusely. I need to work on thickening the cascading branch, as well as the density of the foliage.

 

[Mojosan]

Hmmm. Those don't look like azalea flowers to me. I know there are numerous types, but every one that that I've seen look different than those.

 

[Dav4]

Mojosan, these are , without a doubt, two dwarf varieties of satsuki azalea.

 

[Harunobu]

The Japanese and the westerners bred for totally differnt aesthetics.

This is how satsuki azalea look though there's great variation among them as well. I don't know why you think those don't look like the azalea flowers you are used to.

Azalea flowers can be very different.

I send you a list of images in a PM showing the flower variaty among decidious and evergreen azalea.
If anyone else wants to see the list, PM me.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Thanks Dave! And yes... our climate here is ideal for most species... only tropicals baulk, and even then only in the winter/early spring.

I had to make the agonizing choice to remove all my blossoms. I decided that since there was no way the tree would be in bloom for the show, that I was not willing to use up it's energy for no purpose... so I removed almost 400 blossoms/flower buds yesterday. The carnage on the garage floor broke my heart.

V

Not to break your heart further, but last month Peter Warren mentioned that removing the flower buds this late in the year really isn't saving the tree any energy. All the energy is expended forming them, and opening the buds requires relatively little energy. FWIW for next time.

 

[Harunobu]

Considering it's now a year later. I think she will be ok.

 

[Mojosan]

Mojosan, these are , without a doubt, two dwarf varieties of satsuki azalea.

No doubts......

 

[Dav4]

No doubts......

None at all

 

[Cadillactaste]

update

Some pics from today. I finally got around to wiring the Shuho No Hikari. Despite being quite wind burned over the winter, it has grown vigorously this spring.

Hey Dave...my Negari is this cultivar...how cold hardy is it? May need to bump my temps in the greenhouse to 30F for low...it currently is 27F for low alarm to go off. But maybe not...you mentioned wind burned...so thinking yours isn't tucked away completely...in winter. Would appreciate picking your brain. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dav4]

Hey Dave...my Negari is this cultivar...how cold hardy is it? May need to bump my temps in the greenhouse to 30F for low...it currently is 27F for low alarm to go off. But maybe not...you mentioned wind burned...so thinking yours isn't tucked away completely...in winter. Would appreciate picking your brain. Thanks in advance.

I'm honestly not sure. Unfortunately, these two were the first of all but one of my imported azaleas to go belly up. As far as hardiness is concerned, I'd assume they would need lots of protection in your locale. Frosts and light freezes would be tolerated, but I'd be very cautious letting them see temps below the mid 20's for more then a short time.

 

[Cadillactaste]

I'm honestly not sure. Unfortunately, these two were the first of all but one of my imported azaleas to go belly up. As far as hardiness is concerned, I'd assume they would need lots of protection in your locale. Frosts and light freezes would be tolerated, but I'd be very cautious letting them see temps below the mid 20's for more then a short time.

I've the cold greenhouse...Scott said to keep it around 29F/30F. Was curious if they could handle 27F...will not allow that with his advice...and reading your reply. Sorry to hear you lost yours...off to reset my thermometer alarm.