AusBonsai

I picked up an Azalea today with a decent sized trunk.

I'm not sure where to go with it and am looking for ideas.

Please help!!

Look at the trunk from all sides and see if you can find te nice trunkline in there.
Look for taper and changes of movement.

Does anything jump out as say Hi ? If so look to build the tree on that trunk and in spring cut everything back that is not needed.
If not, Put on the bench and look at it often as see what it looks like in time.

with size of the flowers and leaves, I would not be looking at mame or shohin size

Ken

Still looking and thinking...

No need to rush it. Bonsai isn't a race mate.

Can you see a tree in it?

I was thinking broom. The problem is the outer side branches are way thicker than the middle one. For broom to work I'd need to heavily manipulate the outer branches and think they would snap. I'd have to cut down the centre branch too. Thoughts?

I think you have too many trunks. It divides too low and would look a little odd unless you're going for a shohin broom/dome top.

The only problem with azaleas is that they are slow growers. The best thing about azaleas is that they back bud from everywhere.

You may have to wait a lot while for the branches to develop, but it will be better for it in the long run.

Well I looked and looked. Then cut and waited.

It back budded well.

I wired it up last night with this being the outcome.

Wiring is a bit rough, but it's hard given the fact it was hard to find suitable anchors.

Luke

Sweet!
Cheers

that will work.
Just let of grow mad and make sure the wire does not cut in and or scar,

Ken

I'd also tilt it to the left a little.

Please tell me you have kept the cuttings...