azaleas - when is a good time to train

[makro]

Hi,

I am pretty new to bonsai and this is my first post here. I have a few Azaleas that are in flower at the moment and was wondering when is a good time to start training them and where should I start (pruning, feeding etC). They are small al the moment (no larger that a pencil width in thickness)

Thanks
Cheers
Mak

[kcpoole]

Put wire on the tree wile the branches are young and supple. One they are set you cannot bend them

Wire at any time, but watch for cutting in.

If you are growing for flowers then do not trim after the start of winter as you will cut off the flower buds. Trim any other time of year to shape as needed. If Growing on for girth and size then don't trim it at all as you will slow it down. Like wise if you are trying to grow it on the do not let it flower as they energy put into them is wasted

I fertilise mine year round as in sydney they never stop growing
Ken

[stymie]

I fertilise mine year round as in sydney they never stop growing
Ken

With an ericaceous formula of course.

[anttal63]

the first 3 to 5 yrs it should be grown as a clump, so as to fatten the base. then gradually reduce to 1 trunk. flowering is going to take the energy from the growing so your choice there. you want to enjoy the flowering, you are slowing the developement considerably. osmocote for azalea works well by the hand full

[makro]

hmm.. I do love the flowers, but I think I am going to let the flowering finish and then train for girth

[IS2SXC]

hey im minh i just registered 5 secs ago HAHHAHA
anyways i recently collect 2 huge azelea stumps and i was wondering if anyone can give me a few ideas i have chosen clump for the smaller one n the big one .......still thinkin ill post the fotos on later today gotta find where i left that damn camera






MINH

[IS2SXC]

this is the azelea was goin to do informal upright or maybe twin trunk but not clump

[IS2SXC]

i fink its a pink one how do u put multiple fotos in one msg lol

[IS2SXC]

yeah from far with my ciggies =]

[sreeve]

Hi IS2,
I saw your other post about free plants in Liverpool. Did you get this Azalea from there - if so, count me in if there are any more, because it has a really nice base - plenty for you to make a top class Bonsai in a few years
Regards
Steve

[IS2SXC]

no unfortunately i had to ask my gf parents to look in there backyard lol they have a HUGE camelia with a fern in it and a few other azelea stumps but i dont think its as nice as mine =]
LOVE HORNSBY the area is so old and everyone there loves their azeleas and flowering plants all which are huge i got another azelea which i dug up from the front of my house if u r interested =] lolz its a bit smaller with 4 trunk lines U CAN pm me =] cheers


.minh

[IS2SXC]

[Hi IS2,
I saw your other post about free plants in Liverpool. Did you get this Azalea from there - if so, count me in if there are any more, because it has a really nice base - plenty for you to make a top class Bonsai in a few years
Regards
Steve]

LOL unfortunately i hope i can bring the best out of this nice azelea dont think i can make it like the other experienced bonsai enthusiasts =/ well if anything i go to rays workshop and ask him hahahahhah but appreciate the comment =] CHEERS


.minh

[IS2SXC]

i found this nice azelea in the back corner of my gfs backyard it took an hour in 31 degree weather but it was worth it =] thinkin of doin clump unless anyone can give me a better style for it any comments wuld be great i m a noob after all =p

[IS2SXC]

here it is

[IS2SXC]

here it is