AusBonsai

Hi all,

Got a few azalea. This is Rukizon to us in Oz and Kazan in Japan. I cut one back conservatively, just removing half the major branches to let some light in but it just kept on bleeding from the wound so I decided to go hard on the next. Hope it comes through ok, the only other time I tried this the tree died but I think my after care has improved since then. I've seen worse in the mags and the time is right so...fingers crossed.

The original stock - 250mm pot i think The top cut back. It had lots of low growth so I managed to leave a bit of green above the main roots and at the end of most branches. The roots chopped too Potted up, three different views

Nice neal

I assume that is chapped Spagnum moss on top of the Kanuma?

Ken

Great work! I really look forward to it leafing out!

I recently repotted all of the rest of my Satsuki into Kanuma, including about 100 cuttings that are growing into whips! I love the stuff!

The sphagnum really helps keep the tree cooler and the new growth is amazing in Kanuma.

Us 'east siders' are extremely envious of you 'westies' access to great all that great Satsuki stock!

hi mate

very nice, I havent seen to many azalea with bases like that! if i found one like that i might be spurred into trying to get one. a lot are multiple trunks like yours was minus the solid base usually.

this is going to be a really nice tree in a couple years! keep up the good work

JAmie

kcpoole wrote:Nice neal

I assume that is chapped Spagnum moss on top of the Kanuma?

Ken

G'day Ken, yes sphagnum rubbed through a sieve as a mulch on top and also 10% added to the kanuma.

Scott Roxburgh wrote:Great work! I really look forward to it leafing out!

I recently repotted all of the rest of my Satsuki into Kanuma, including about 100 cuttings that are growing into whips! I love the stuff!

The sphagnum really helps keep the tree cooler and the new growth is amazing in Kanuma.

Us 'east siders' are extremely envious of you 'westies' access to great all that great Satsuki stock!

G'day Scott. Yes all mine are in or going into kanuma now, its particularly good to strike cuttings in too (the superfine) and we are adding sphagnum to the mix (approx 10%), using it on top and also stuffing it loosely into gaps in the nebari to encourage roots to grow.

We do get some stock, you need to search it out though.

I'll update the thread in a while, it is a fairly slow grower though.

Cheers,

neal.

Jamie wrote:hi mate

very nice, I havent seen to many azalea with bases like that! if i found one like that i might be spurred into trying to get one. a lot are multiple trunks like yours was minus the solid base usually.

this is going to be a really nice tree in a couple years! keep up the good work

JAmie

Hey Jamie, thanks, nice to be noticed by the sumo man himself!
You have to find the oldest stock you can to get any sort of a decent base. I got lucky with this one

cheers,

neal.

Thats the way Neal chop it up and let it shoot back That will turn into a nice Satsuki with time.

Scott Roxburgh wrote:
Us 'east siders' are extremely envious of you 'westies' access to great all that great Satsuki stock!

I cant agree with you more Scott. I cant even buy Kanuma in Qld

AndrewM wrote: I cant even buy Kanuma in Qld

That save that question then I guess.

Might have to look for a freight deal Perth to Hervey Bay me thinks.

gday mate

credit where credits due stock like this in my area of australia wouldnt exist, I dont even think the bonsai nurseries in bris or the gold coast would have something like that, I havent checked them out for about a year now though.

keen to see the progression

Jamie wrote:gday mate

credit where credits due stock like this in my area of australia wouldnt exist, I dont even think the bonsai nurseries in bris or the gold coast would have something like that, I havent checked them out for about a year now though.

keen to see the progression

Yeah we are lucky I guess. These were from John Cole nursey, Lindsey knows it. Maybe azalea's aren't so much in demand by the general gardening public up in tropical queensland?? Here's another, no name tags but a decent base again...

very nice mate,

that one has a nice trunk too, i can see some good lines to come out when you take it back!

im not sure of the demand for them up here, I know they grow well here but i have just never been into them really, i can appreciated a good tree though and your gonna have a couple of crackers!

jamie

Azalea seems to grow incredibly well up here, not just well Jamie. It is suprising how many really large ones there are in gardens around town. I am just now starting to gather a few trees together. Helps B**nings getting in so many different ones at the present, at such a good price
Who knows, in 10 or 20 years I might even have a good one.
(Doubt they will take over from the Olive as my favorite Bonsai material tho' , they are to blood slow. )

Graeme wrote:

AndrewM wrote: I cant even buy Kanuma in Qld

That save that question then I guess.

Might have to look for a freight deal Perth to Hervey Bay me thinks.

Is Kanuma better than diatomite for azaleas? A few Ausbonsaiers told me they use diatomite on azaleas and they respond really well.

Glenda

Now - there is an interesting question Glenda. Wonder what the answer will be? From all the photo's of root systems put up by Forum members of those Diatomite grown trees I am guessing it will suit the Azalea type root system. Might have to look at acidity/alkaline issues as not sure of the "D' PH.