My three azaleas, need id for two.

[Bush bunny]

Three azaleas.jpg

These pics highlight why sometimes Bunnings is short on descriptions etc. The one on the right I saved after paying $14.00 for it. It was in a double pot, about the size of the one standing in front. I noted that the water was staying put on the surface after a few months, some leaves turning yellow, so removed the inner pot NO drainage hole at all! So I re-potted and it is recovering slowly.

I bought another like it that was potted properly but like the first just had azalea on it.

But the middle one, was labelled correctly. I liked it and didn't mind paying $14.00. 2010, and full description. Rhododendrom obtusum, saolome azalea, 4 year old. I haven't re-potted it yet, it has flower buds galore, so I'll leave it in its pot until it flowers.

You would think they would label them better for beginners wouldn't you? And the double pot with no drainage holes? I complained about that, they said they were just promotions but still for sale. But got full credit as I had lost a ficus too, and I bought others with it. They have a 1 year happy plant guarantee. But I don't know the two with just azalea on the label. Are Japanese azaleas?

[Bush bunny]

Small azalea no genus..jpg

For some reason I couldn't attach the one I bought that is a similar genus by its leaves to the one I saved.

Any ideas of what genus these azaleas are?

Thanks in advance.

Pat

[kcpoole]

The only way to tell is to wait until flowering

Ken

[Bush bunny]

I should have looked at the small print! I take back what I said about mis-labeling. It reads Serissa bloom on and off all year, small pink or white flowers. There we are. Thanks though Ken.

[Bush bunny]

Serissa ain't an azalea is it? Just as well I kept them in the aquarium as they are tropicals.

Just as well I checked on the internet.

[kcpoole]

I am confused Where did serissa come from?

The photos you posted all look like azaleas to me by the leaves, though it is hard to tell.

Ken

[Bush bunny]

Sorry Ken. On two labels it had azalea in black ink, it has removed the original title. So I didn't look any further. Then I read the label again, and there it was Underneath the hand written black ink. '... Serissa are a nice addition .... for their ability to bloom on and off throughout the year with a mass of small pink or white flowers. They like to dry out between waterings, but never let your bonsai go totally dry for extended periods.... etc." The little one that I saved was in two pots and the inside one had no drainage hole, no wonder it was floundering with yellowing leaves.

When I did my research, it plainly says, this is a difficult bonsai, (meaning it is sensitive to moving it, etc and watering) it is tropical etc., and can be grown by a bright window in temperate climates and summered out in the shade. Like's humidity in winter (indoors). It doesn't like or will die in even temps lower than 5C outdoors. But I have either kept it indoors, or in the aquarium and I tested the temps last night with the lids on and it was 15 C, the average temp in my house is the same where I keep it. And there was some condensation on the glass this morning. I take them out on a fine day until dusk if it is not too cold but under protection.

Just by luck more than judgement I treated it like an azalea and knowing it came from Sydney I know I have had a few that didn't like the environmental and altitude change. But when I go to Bunnings next I will tell them, and if that bloke is rude again, he'll get flea in the ear. So I didn't shop there today preferring the Native tree chaps who will give me oodles of moss, liver wort type, and Mitre 10. Who give me free plants for $1 if they are in the throw away tray.

Cheers again.

Pat

[Bush bunny]

Ken, Just a little of my background. In Sydney I was a founding member of MARIA (The Marine Aquarium Research institute of Australia. (It held meetings at the Uni NSW). I showed gold fish. Yes they do show fish. But studying aquaculture is a bit scientific like bonsai culture. But I was one of the first, to keep native invertibrates (common sea anemones) in a tank. I noted a strange thing. The room faced where the moon rose and on a full moon, the little guys and girls would open their tentacles that usually are closed when the light was off, and bore babies. Moon bathing etc. Also I have a degree and post graduate degree in Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology, and a diploma in organic agriculture production. So I was interested in rocks and also soil chemistry. I also when young got an pass to attend Hornsey Art College in London, and won small prizes for my art work. Then I took to writing, and published several short stories, and a book in 2008, that got good reviews, about my culture shock coming from Woolooware in Sydney, to Currabubula (that I had difficulty in pronouncing at first) to run a country pub. It was of course amusing as I became slowly Australianized, after living in Bermuda and Cyprus and a nice waterfront suburb. And being a snotty nosed Pom. The pub water wouldn't lather even with salt water soap. So combine all these traits, getting older of course, can't ride horses anymore, bonsai suits me down to the ground, provided I get the right genus. I'll bend over backwards to keep it happy.

[Bush bunny]

The 'blow my own trumpet' was embarrassing, I was so mad with Bunnings. But see my post,
Ken was right, Bunnings wrong, me confused' to explain more. All will come clearer, Ken.

[kcpoole]

No worries Pat.
We all assume that the vendor has it correct as the should know what they are selling

its good when confusiion Reigns supreme