Azalea

Forum for discussion of Flowering and fuiting bonsai - Azalea, Serissa, Apricot etc.
Post Reply
shibui
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 7653
Joined: August 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm
Favorite Species: trident maple
Bonsai Age: 41
Bonsai Club: Albury/Wodonga; BSV; Canberra; VNBC
Location: Yackandandah
Has thanked: 65 times
Been thanked: 1399 times
Contact:

Azalea

Post by shibui »

I think this azalea has a little potential so it has been reserved for the Shibui Bonsai collection.
It was collected from a garden before the builders started work on an extension. It has had about 3 years to recover and establish in the box. You can see some preliminary shaping has already been done. That was a demo at Canberra Bonsai show 12 months ago. You can see that it has sprouted back well after that initial pruning and flowered profusely. Now it is time to take it a bit further.
large pink azalea 2017 10 1.JPG
Not only does it have a good chunky trunk, it also has nice small flowers.

There's no hard rules about when to cut back your azaleas. I could have left this for another few weeks but as Sir Theodore said at our last club meeting the flowers are only delaying the development. The sooner I cut it the sooner it will shoot and start to ramify so off with all the flowers so I can see what's there.
large pink azalea 2017 10 2.JPG
After a few distractions with visitors and work I got down to details. I could see a strong left leaning tree in the bones of this azalea so that's how I'm attempting to style it. you may be able to pick out the stumps where I've sawn off some large trunks that were going against the flow and the twine I put on last year to pull another trunk around further to the left. Even though it was quite thick and stiff that branch has set in position after 12 months.
I've tried to remove most of the shoots that grow against the flow of the trunks but I still need some to hang flowers on. I've shortened all the remaining shoots to promote plenty of density in the branches I've chosen to leave. Hope it will be enough to give a good show of flowers while still showing the bones of the tree.
large pink azalea 2017 10 3.JPG
There's still work to be done. The back branch growing from the left trunk is quite thick and straight. I'm hoping to be able to shorten it substantially at some stage. Also the large stump on the right side of the base will need to be reduced. I'm taking that slowly to reduce the possibility of losing roots after removing such a large branch.

Now I really need a pot to put it in. Any suggestions for style, colour or shape?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
User avatar
Keep Calm and Ramify
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 944
Joined: April 1st, 2017, 11:50 am
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: Newcastle NSW
Has thanked: 397 times
Been thanked: 445 times

Re: Azalea

Post by Keep Calm and Ramify »

:wave: Shibui
I've just done something similar to an old pot grown Azalea here last week, so seeing this post from you has put my mind at ease that I chose the right time at least!
Thanks for posting - with those pink flowers I'm seeing the obvious blue or cream glazed pot - but the pot shape has me "stumped" ????
User avatar
kcpoole
Perpetual Learner
Perpetual Learner
Posts: 12272
Joined: November 12th, 2008, 4:02 pm
Favorite Species: Maple
Bonsai Age: 15
Bonsai Club: the School Of Bonsai
Location: Western Sydney, NSW, Australia
Has thanked: 17 times
Been thanked: 84 times
Contact:

Re: Azalea

Post by kcpoole »

NIce work Neil :yes:
I love seeing old azaleas get a new life and direction.
Now is definitely the right time of year to tackle these.

Ken
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
User avatar
Keep Calm and Ramify
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 944
Joined: April 1st, 2017, 11:50 am
Bonsai Age: 0
Location: Newcastle NSW
Has thanked: 397 times
Been thanked: 445 times

Re: Azalea

Post by Keep Calm and Ramify »

shibui wrote:
Now I really need a pot to put it in. Any suggestions for style, colour or shape?
Maybe a pot consideration courtesy of Hong Kong's Man Lung?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Post Reply

Return to “Flowering and fruiting”