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Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 16th, 2014, 6:45 pm
by Raymond
I have permission to dig up 3 good sized Azaleas from my boo's mums house which he is putting on the market. Problem is, it is June 16... I have approx. 2 weeks before the signs go up. Is it possible to dig these up at this time of year WITHOUT killing them?

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 16th, 2014, 6:58 pm
by Jason
Probably not ideal, but if they'll be gone in two weeks, then you may as well :fc: The Wiki suggests that spring and autumn are the 'best' times :)

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 16th, 2014, 7:07 pm
by fae
Well it is worth a try

If possible place each plant in a Polly box, keep in the shade and water daily with a light solution of Seasol for a few weeks.

Would also seal any cuts larger than the thickness of a chopstick. Azaleas can dry out causing dieback.

Have dug out a few and followed the above and they have survived.

Fiona :fc:

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 16th, 2014, 7:57 pm
by lakepipes
I have dug large azaleas from the garden at the start of July and had no problems, but as said...
seal your cuts and provide the best aftercare you can.

Regards, Mike.

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 16th, 2014, 8:16 pm
by shibui
I have dug azaleas in spring, summer and winter. 99% survival without any special care or sealing.

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 16th, 2014, 11:05 pm
by bouquet
I also posted this in another thread

viewtopic.php?f=132&t=18077&p=183095#p183095

Ok so I have taken the plunge and purchased a couple of Azaleas and Camellias from the big green shed. A couple 100mm and 200mm pots. Nothing special and the trunks wouldn't even be 1cm.

So a couple questions:
1. Can I bare root the nursery stock now removing all the soil so I can get them into an open mix.
2. If the trees can be bare rooted, when would be the best time to get them into growing pots in an open mix.
3. Would I be correct in thinking just fertilize heaving and give it time to fatten the trunks.
4. Let it grow free for a couple years then prune hard, repeat every year.

Again thanks for any advice.

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 16th, 2014, 11:41 pm
by kcpoole
Yep did them now and keep in a sunny spot.

Ken

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 18th, 2014, 6:03 pm
by Raymond
so I am going to have to get these on Sunday or next week at the latest. What soil should I put them into? I have the foam boxes ready and waiting...

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 18th, 2014, 6:13 pm
by kcpoole
Raymond wrote:so I am going to have to get these on Sunday or next week at the latest. What soil should I put them into? I have the foam boxes ready and waiting...
Any Good Bonsai mix will do. Do not take off more than 1/3 the roots if you do not have too.
I have all my Azaleas in Kanuma. but is not readily available for most.

Ken

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 18th, 2014, 6:15 pm
by Laurie J
kcpoole wrote:
Raymond wrote:so I am going to have to get these on Sunday or next week at the latest. What soil should I put them into? I have the foam boxes ready and waiting...
Any Good Bonsai mix will do.
I have all my Azaleas in Kanuma. but is not readily available for most.
Sorry to steal the thread here, Bek and I learnt that last night! Glad to hear that the info was correct and Kanuma is a good one for the Azalea's!

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 18th, 2014, 8:47 pm
by Raymond
kcpoole wrote:
Raymond wrote:so I am going to have to get these on Sunday or next week at the latest. What soil should I put them into? I have the foam boxes ready and waiting...
Any Good Bonsai mix will do. Do not take off more than 1/3 the roots if you do not have too.
I have all my Azaleas in Kanuma. but is not readily available for most.

Ken
I get my soil from Bonsai Emporium. Peter mixes his own and I buy it from him and put it in 55 litre bin. I have no knowledge of Kanuma. Do you use it on its own, or mix it with other soil :?: Sorry for sounding vague, but I REALLY want these Azaleas to survive. The trunks and branching are awesome.

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 18th, 2014, 8:49 pm
by kcpoole
Raymond wrote:
kcpoole wrote:
Raymond wrote:so I am going to have to get these on Sunday or next week at the latest. What soil should I put them into? I have the foam boxes ready and waiting...
Any Good Bonsai mix will do. Do not take off more than 1/3 the roots if you do not have too.
I have all my Azaleas in Kanuma. but is not readily available for most.

Ken
I get my soil from Bonsai Emporium. Peter mixes his own and I buy it from him and put it in 55 litre bin. I have no knowledge of Kanuma. Do you use it on its own, or mix it with other soil :?: Sorry for sounding vague, but I REALLY want these Azaleas to survive. The trunks and branching are awesome.
Kanuma comes from the same mine as Akadama in Japan.
https://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Kanuma
if you have no idea about it, then just use your normal mix and you will be fine.

Ken

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 19th, 2014, 11:34 am
by Jason
Raymond wrote:
kcpoole wrote:
Raymond wrote:so I am going to have to get these on Sunday or next week at the latest. What soil should I put them into? I have the foam boxes ready and waiting...
Any Good Bonsai mix will do. Do not take off more than 1/3 the roots if you do not have too.
I have all my Azaleas in Kanuma. but is not readily available for most.

Ken
I get my soil from Bonsai Emporium. Peter mixes his own and I buy it from him and put it in 55 litre bin. I have no knowledge of Kanuma. Do you use it on its own, or mix it with other soil :?: Sorry for sounding vague, but I REALLY want these Azaleas to survive. The trunks and branching are awesome.
Pretty sure Peter stocks Kanuma too :tu2: Or he did, I would call and confirm first :)

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 19th, 2014, 1:23 pm
by Pup
It is available to members of the Satsuki club, and members of Bonsai workshop though a member.

Cheers Pup

Re: Azalea advice needed...

Posted: June 19th, 2014, 1:41 pm
by Raymond
Thanks for the advice everyone, really appreciate it. Looks like Sunday is going to be the day. I will post pics on Monday, before, during and after shots. I have the foam mboxes ready as well as some sheep manure that I have put through a blender. I'll mix it into my soil before transplanting.