[Michael T] - Azalea 'Saotome'

[Michael T]

Azalea 'Saotome'
Original height - 20 cm
Grown from cutting 5 years ago
No cost - it was my azalea

001aAzalea 'Saotome'.jpg

002aAzalea 'Saotome' (front).jpg

003aAzalea 'Saotome' (back).jpg

004aAzalea 'Saotome' (left).jpg

005aAzalea 'Saotome' (right).jpg

[Scott Roxburgh]

Great to see you involved Michael!

It looks like good material.

Scott.

[LLK]

Great material, Michael! I look forward to your work on it.

Lisa

[Michael T]

Great to see you involved Michael!

It looks like good material.

Scott.

Thanks Scott. To tell you the truth, I did not have a look at its structure since I progpagated it, but to my surprise it didn't look too bad. I decided to use it and have some fun with it.

[Michael T]

Great material, Michael! I look forward to your work on it.

Lisa

Thanks Lisa. You are very encouraging. I'll look forward to yours too.

[Michael T]

The plant was transplanted into a training pot and hopefully it will continue to grow well. It has to be fixed on to a training pot otherwise it will be difficult to wire. ( 010a to 13a) shows the wiring of the group. 'Front', 'Left', etc are all in relation to the plant and not to the observer.

006aAzalea Saotome.jpg

007aAzalea Saotome.jpg

008aAzalea Saotome.jpg

009aAzalea Saotome.jpg

010aAzalea Saotome(front).jpg

011aAzalea Saotome(left).jpg

012aAzalea Saotome(back).jpg

013aAzalea Saotome(right).jpg

[Craig]

Michael, i don't usually go for Azalea's ,however i do like this group, good work mate

[Michael T]

Michael, i don't usually go for Azalea's ,however i do like this group, good work mate

Thanks Craig.

Michael

[LLK]

It's looking more and more interesting!
I don't find the Saotome easy material, as I can't find out how it backbuds. I barely dare to touch mine!

Lisa

[nealweb]

Very nice group!! Graceful movement, I like it alot

[Michael T]

It's looking more and more interesting!
I don't find the Saotome easy material, as I can't find out how it backbuds. I barely dare to touch mine!

Lisa

Hi Lisa, if the plant is healthy, pruning it along the branch will encourage new shoots easily. However like all azaleas, it could have a tendency to die-back. This plant has alot of new shoots after pruning the tip of the branches, however, I sense that one of the trees isn't doing well. There is still a lot of work to do on this plant.

Michael

[Michael T]

Very nice group!! Graceful movement, I like it alot

Thanks nealweb. Hope the plants will continue to grow healthily. There is still more work to do on the bonsai.

Michael

[Michael T]

014Azalea Saotome(6-12-11).jpg

This is the first 3-monthly posting of the plant since August/September. It has grown quite a number of new shoots after being pruned to shorten the tips. You can see the new shoots at the tips of the 'trees' and also along some of the stems.I shall be letting it grow a bit more before I restyle it by spring next year (September). I may have to rewire some of the stems or branches before then.

You would have noticed the plastic mesh on top of the soil. This is to prevent a little black bird with a yellow beak from digging up the soil all over the place. This is not the first time and has happened regularly each year. The mesh worked quite well and so far it hasn't been up to its tricks again ..... not with this plant anyway.

[LLK]

Growing well and charming!

Lisa

[hbk13007]

Hey Michael,
Really like how this coming along. Has a lot of appeal,

Good luck!