Cascade Azalea attempt

[banksia]

I thought I'd post this Azalea as there has been alot of discussion recently on the species. Two things I'd like to know are, can anyone put a name to this type and any info on their likes/dislikes when it comes to pot culture, and second, how have I done (honestly ) at the cascade style?.
It is the only tree I own that is remotely like a cascade and I don't read up enough (as I should) on the technicalities (sp.?) of design specifics. I've enclosed a pic of the flower in the hope that someone can I.D it. Incidently, it has atleast 30-40 buds that look just weeks away from opening so I'll post an update when the majority have opened. Yes Neil, I bought it from John Coles

Cheers!
Anthony

[hugh grant]

looks very nice, i like it
sorry but i dont know what species it is

hugh

[kvan64]

Very nice and healthy looking. I love the timber cascade pot
Edit: About the style, I think it is definitely not an upright cascade but still not quite distinguishable semi-cascade/full cascade. What do other people think?

[Hutch11]

I absolutely love it.. it may not conform to all the technicalities/rules of cascade bit it is very well balanced.. nice tree

[nealweb]

Maaate there must be thousands of azaleas with a plain pink flower. 'Pink Lace' is one common one. You would probably have to take it into John and ask him or compare it to ones with names on them. The tree looks great though! Beautiful flower, healthy tree, great trunk! and nice style i reckon.
They grow well in pots. They don't like to dry out but hate wet feet even more, this will cause root rot so perfect drainage is essential. Winter sun helps flowering but some protection in the hight of summer is good. Protection from strong winds too. They don't need alot of fertilising. Some people just use slow release after flowering. Others do liquid feed every fortnight or so. but not excessive unless you are really trying to push growth.
Watch out for thrips that cause the leaves to go pale and silvery and mottled looking. Confidor deals with them.

Looks awesome, can't wait for the full flower pics

[bodhidharma]

G'day Banksia, Indica.."Temperance" i am fairly sure. I have one and that is very similar. I am sorry, not rare but very common. A profuse flowerer. Nice trunk, this has lots of potential.

[Amanda]

Pretty!

Blutty!

Jealous!

Oh I love it. Nice pot too

[Tenka]

How old is your Azalea and what kind of challenge are they to style? I have a 2 year old plant just growing for now but I'm unsure how to develop any character in it.

[Gerard]

Two weeks ago I purchased a new azalea, I wanted to have one that looked like a bonsai as all my others are works in progress.

IMG_0160.jpg

The species is Alphonse Anderson which looks to be the same as yours.

Alphonse Anderson.jpg

Alphonse Anderson 002.jpg

[Greth]

Lovely plant. Im just playing with my first Azalea, it is in a growbox over a tile, soon moving to ground growing in the new shadehouse. Three cuttings are nearly ready to pot up tho, so will have more to play with.
Love the flower colour too, some of them are so garish. Maybe try a specialist Azalea forum for an ID?

[Bretts]

and second, how have I done (honestly ) at the cascade style?.

Bloody well I reckon The trunk looks very good. Maybe moving the tail slightly up at the end and also out at a 45 degree angle from the pot front to break up the line at the end. Also maybe reduce the top right branch a bit to excentuate that trunk.
As to if it is technically a cascade the best guide is that the tail is at least a 45 deg angle down from the base of the tree

[kcpoole]

Nice and I love the pot

I would shorten the branch out to the right so it feels more like a cascade.
With that branch there I feel it cannot decide whether it is a cascade or not
Maybe also develop the cascade foliage into more defined Pads so we see a little of the trunk between them,a ndthis will provide some platforms for the flowers do be displayed on

Ken

[Greth]

Can understand if he doesn't want to prune just now with all those flowers coming! Time enough after flowering, perhaps?

[Bretts]

Not a bad piont Greth and don't know if it makes much horticultural difference but I reckon the flowers will look better with that right reduced

[banksia]

Thanks for all the replies people. Before I start...I've knocked up a 1/2 dozen pots exactly the same and will post them in the FOR SALE section ...I'll even sign 'em....once the glue dries!
The plant itself, I've had for about 4 years. Going on what Pup & Neil say about this nurseries stock, it makes it about 9-10 years old. I've treated it pretty rough in that time though. 2 years ago I chopped it's roots by about 2/3rds and forced it into this makeshift cascade cube....and it's thrived ever since
Bretts!!. That's exactly what it needs come to think of it and will do that right away...Cheers!! Gerard I think that's a dead-ringer.....Thanks!!
Any pruning will be held off untill Spring and then I plan on putting it into it's first ceramic pot.
As said before, I'll post a pic of it in bloom...and then in it's new pot. Until then...thanks for the kind words guys.

P.S On the repot should I use Kanuma or a mix of Akadama/Kanuma?

Cheers!
Anthony