A little Azalea

[DavidWilloughby]

Hi all,

This is a little Azalea a good friend of mine gave to me last year, it was a rescue plant where he salvaged it from a Garden makeover in Jan 2012. I hacked it back in August last year and from then it has grown quite well, apart from a decent lacebug attack but its bounced back since. Its covered in flower buds at the moment and will be looking forward to seeing it flower. I am under no illusion that there is a few more years needed to get it where I want it (I haven't had it for even a year yet lol a blink of an eye in Bonsai terms), but think it now has some positive direction now.

Azalea 20 August 2013.jpg

*20 August 2013 - it was put into this pot when I got it home as it was the only thing I had lying about, not even a nursery tub.

Azalea 25 November 2013.jpg

*25 November 2013

Azalea 11 March 2014 A.jpg

*11 March 2014 - The before shot

Azalea 11 March 2014 D front view.jpg

*11 March 2014 - After (Front view)

Azalea 11 March 2014 E side view.jpg

*11 March 2014 - After (left side view)

Azalea 26 June 2014.jpg

*26 June 2014 - where it sits today.

When it starts to flower I will update it again then. I know that the strong root on the right will not be to everyones cup of tea and I am interested to hear your thoughts on it.

All comments are welcomed.

Cheers

David

[Laurie J]

I love it! Looking forward to seeing it in flower.

[GavinG]

For me, the big root is the thing that gives it character and impact. It also balances with the angle of the trunk and the mass of the foliage, in a way I can see but can't explain. Good result in such a short time!

Gavin

[lackhand]

Big root =

Very nice character.

[Raymond]

I like the big root. Not every tree in nature has a well balanced base...

[Jason]

+1 I think the large root works with the overall composition, very nice tree mate!

[time8theuniverse]

It looks good in a short space of time. It should develop well with even more time.

The style is more like a tropical fig with a strong base than other Azaleas but the proportions are working for this tree.

[rodm]

Jealous! Love it,any idea colour of the flowers. Just love azaleas, tried some in the past but going to keep trying. Lovely plant, love all of it, large root and all
Cheers Rod

[anthonyW]

Ah-ha is that a closet azalea grower revealing?I have a few myself David in the vault,not as powerful as that trunk but,well done mate,especially in a short time.
Anthony

[Mount Nasura]

Agreed, great development in short time frame. I'm a little indifferent about the weighty root/s I just thought it looks like a sea lion on the beach...sorry! Can you carve the top out of it so it's more concave? I notice most folks like it so maybe it is a good aspect...

[DavidWilloughby]

Thank you adabelbengals, Gavin, Karl, Raymond, Jason, time8theuniverse, Rod, Anthony and Mount Nasura for your thoughts as its appreciated.

As for the flower colour, I have a couple of others that I am holding for a friend that came from the same batch and they were white so I think this is white too but until it flowers, I am unsure.

Mount Nasura, I thank you for your honesty and you should never have to be sorry for that mate, I genuinely appreciate it. Some people can only take sugar coated comments and completely ignore ones that are being critical (even if its being constructive), but those people know everything anyways.....

I know that not everyone will like the root and for me, that is a good thing because If we all liked the same thing, Bonsai would be a very static and boring art.

Thanks again for the comments folks, I will update it once its flowering.

Cheers

David

[JDC]

Hi David

For me the Left Side View would make a nice front?

JC

[marleey73]

Beautiful tree. Will love to see it in flower. Thank you for sharing

[Bush bunny]

It is lovely, and well done. Just be wary, they don't like alkaline water or soils. Obviously you haven't or it wouldn't have grown so well. Surprise, surprise when flowers start to show up, so don't trim the branches too much, as you may cut off the flower buds.

Although some masters do recommend you don't let it flower?

Cheers again

[hugh grant]

looking great David. love this tree and then base including the root