AusBonsai

Purchased - "Three Bears" nursery, before they closed down a few months ago
Cost $10
Size - about 300mm or so

I repotted into Kanuma a few weeks ago and will not keep in a warm spot over winter and feed hard. Cut back hard in spring to get the trunk shape i need.
It has a nice little base on it and maybe might get a little more on it in 18 months
I am not sure of the flower type or size yet, so that will have to be a surprise

edit just found it here http://www.gardenexpress.com.au/product/azalea-ostali/
Violet flowers.

Ken

After repotting into Kanuma a few weeks ago, he has been showing some new shoots, so decided today is as good as any to get stuck in

Removed all the unnecessary branches and shoots and wired the rest.
Bent into shape with only a few cracks so should now be ready to shoot back and start to build the branches and ramification.

The shape will set about 1/2 into spring so the wire can be removed then, before scarring the bark and ruining the appearance.

I left a lot of the foliage on as it has lots of flower buds on it and i would like to get some pictures of them as i have no idea what they look like if they are ginormous then that might change my plans for the tree

Enjoy

Ken

No new growth as yet, but have let 1 flower bud remain so that I can identify what it looks like. Happy to say it has a small double flower in a bright dark pink colour

When bending the top originally it as happens with Azaleas, a crack was heard and yep the top looks like it did not survive, Ahh well but I have a spare to use instead, but just a bit smaller
The plan from here, Once I start getting new growth I will cut back the lanky branches and develop ramification, and to now regrow a new apex structure.

Ken

Hi Ken, I noticed on the earlier pics you have signs of Lace Bug. I suggest you give it a few sprays of confidor make sure to spray under the leaves. Then liquid feed you will see a noticable improvement to your growth rate.
Cheers
Kirky

KIRKY wrote:Hi Ken, I noticed on the earlier pics you have signs of Lace Bug. I suggest you give it a few sprays of confidor make sure to spray under the leaves. Then liquid feed you will see a noticable improvement to your growth rate.
Cheers
Kirky

Yep already sprayed all my Azalease with confidor.
I do all my benches about 3 times a year, to control the bugs ( Sorry Squizz ) but these were already affected when I got them.
Once Back shooting starts in the spring the damaged leaves will all be removed. Fertilising will start soon too as they are all still on Seasol after repotting them thru winter. I use Powerfeed and Charlie carp alternating fortnightly and spread a handful off Neutrog Pellets on the surface as well

Ken

Sad to say, this one for some reason decided to turn up its toes and cark it!

just never recovered after repotting for some weird reason. I had purchase about 10 different varieties from this seller and 4 have not survived after winter 2 had been repotted and 2 had not, All 10 are in the same location in the garden and subject to the same environment so I have no explanation!

Bummer as this will have been very nice I think

Ken

That is sad news! I also lost most of the azaleas I had bought before Winter... mustn't have been a good Winter for them... pffft.