AusBonsai

Hi, I potted this in summer and I have just added some fresh moss. Any suggestions as to how I should prune this as I am a bit of a novice. Thanks.

Firstly if you potted this up last summer your lucky it survived. It is planted to high you should bury more of the roots.
Also having such a hill in your pot does not allow for good watering. This will also explain why it is lacking foliage at this time of year. It should be full of new growth and lush at this time. That aside when you say how to trim what is it you are trying to achieve? A light trim just cut back the tips.
To ramify then look for any branches/blanchlets that have more than two branches/twigs growing from the same point and remove the middle one or any growing down under branches or the longest growth.
If you are removing larger branches make sure to seal the cuts.
Cheers
Kirky

Thanks for that, when I potted this I realised that it didn't quite fit. Do you recommend repotting it and when would be the best time to do this?

I do recommend you repot it. And you can do it now, plant it deeper. Season after repotting.
Cheers
Kirky

Season after repotting.

I can just see the Troll out there with the salt and pepper Kirky
(I assume you mean seasol?)

Quite frankly I have repotted azaleas any time of year and they have no problem. I have dug several in mid summer and cut roots really hard with no obvious ill effects on the plants. You can also cut back the top as hard as you like and new shoots will sprout from the bare stems, including right down the trunk.
I don't think the shape is too bad. There are some long thin branches that could be cut back hard and maybe prune a bit more in a few spots to define several different foliage areas rather than a single rounded canopy?

You may need a slightly larger pot to balance this tree and give it better moisture access in summer but I think it would fit into the existing pot OK if you are game to cut off some more roots and can water well enough to keep it happy over summer.

Yes I think I will repot it tomorrow and I'll go easy on the seasoning.

As te OP is in Katoomba, root pruning Azalea shdodu be fine in summer so long as you watch to hot days

Prune, Repot and root prune Azalaes after flowering is what I do.
I have just got home after being at the School show all day,a dn I did a Demo on My large one this arvo. It finishe flower a week or so ago and need a hard going over and as had not been repotted for 2 years, needed a repot as well.

Took about 1/3 - 1/2 the roots off and cut back hard all the new growth.
I have waterd in well now and back on the bench in full sun, It will get seasol for the next few weeks.

Ken

That's perfect, gives me an idea of just how far I can prune it back. Thanks a lot.

mountain troll wrote:That's perfect, gives me an idea of just how far I can prune it back. Thanks a lot.

Azalea readily backbud onto old wood, so i have cut back all the lanky new growth to get better ramification close in growth.
I will agaiin prune the new growth from this inbetween Chrissy and new year, then leave again until next Spring after flowering.

Ken

Nice Azalea Ken, very healthy, should bud back very quickly.
Thanks Neil, you had me chuckling.... Don't you season after repotting?
Cheers
Kirky

Agreed..Too high and it is starving.
Bury it to where those front roots cross and pack some 'azalea' store brought potting mix into the gaps.
You may even be able to undercut the soil from the root ball a bit and with a deft hand wire down hard into remaining undercut without disturbing out rigger feeders.
You would be amazed at just how quick azaleas respond to getting the roots down and a little new soil and light fertilizing.
Water well and keep 'wet'...But well drained.
Find a hidden branch and defoliate all leaves as a 'test'.
Plenty of defoliation advice here.
Watch how quick back budding take place and then once your tree survival indicator has started to bud do the rest of the tree.
I have 'no' Azaleas in the garden but have many in small pots as Bonsai or so I tell myself.
A sick Azalea is only a re pot away from good health.

Steve.