Collected Azalea Indica "Alba Magna" progression

[kcpoole]

On the weekend, I did my first Bonsai demo at the School of Bonsai annual Show (see this thread here viewtopic.php?f=25&t=9680 ), and the subject I chose was a large Azalea I collected Several years ago from a Neighbour that was having a garden clean up. I offered to dig it for them and they agreed
I decided it was time to put into a Bonsai pot and then continue it development there.

That was back in 2007 and the tree has been recovering and for the last few years being trained in its large Foam box, and as can bee seen for the progression that Azalea can be cut back hard and recover well

Enjoy

Ken

[kcpoole]

I just watered a fed it and the only work done was to decide on what trunk to leave and what one to remove.

[kcpoole]

After 2 years of recovery and rampant growth, the tree was bare rooted and potted into Kanuma, from the original Nesci bonsai soil.

It has not looked back since and finally decided it was time to pot up this tree into a Bonsai Pot adn as Clinmton asked me to do a repotting Demo at the show, I thought I might do the demo with this showing how we take a "Stock" tree and Pot up into a nice pot to make a Bonsai.

The tree now need to develop the remaining 3 young branches ( one of which is an approach graft), and in the next 2 years will develop into a nice tree I think

Ground to Bonsai pot in just 5 years Much I have learnt in that time, and the main thing is not to rush it.

Ken

[kcpoole]

Final pic here is one of the flowers
I believe is is Azalea kurume, - "Alba Magna" and the original tree woud have been in the ground at least 50 years before collecting

Ken

[deepeetee]

Great progression Ken!

Got two very similar to this, gives me some confidence that im progressing the right way.

Cheers

[LLK]

Excellent job, Ken. I hope you keep showing this tree over the coming years!

Lisa

[kcpoole]

Great progression Ken!

Got two very similar to this, gives me some confidence that im progressing the right way.

Cheers

Top stuff Deep
that's why I showed the progressions so others can learn at least what does work

at each repot i too off more of the large roots and about 1/3 the fin roots and then, I gave weekly waterings with Seasol for at least a month till they showed signs of regrowth. the normal Neutrog pellets and Charlie carp / miracle grow.

Lisa I certainly intend to update this one as time goes. I consider it one of my best trees that I made it makes it real special

Ken

[bodhidharma]

Bloody good job Ken. That will be a stunner. I would love to see it more clearly so you have to work on ..backdrop skills

[kcpoole]

Bloody good job Ken. That will be a stunner. I would love to see it more clearly so you have to work on ..backdrop skills

I agree Bodhi
I need to build a Tokonoma for photographing My trees

I have a large dark blue velvet cloth I rescued from work so maybe a summer Job, Just do not know where to put it yet. Either way I need a good spot to photo my comp trees next year.

Ken

[bodhidharma]

I agree Bodhi
I need to build a Tokonoma for photographing My trees

As do i Ken. I am planning on building a mobile one that disassembles easily and i can assemble it around the tree instead of bringing the tree to it. My head hurts thinking about how to do it though

[nealweb]

Awesome job Ken!!!!! That is a stunning tee and to see the tangled mess you started with and where it came to is great. I'll never frown at a piece of stock just because it has so m,any messy trunks again. Looks like you reduced them in stages and you can't even see big scars on the final pic though they must be there i guess, must have healed up well. Thanks Ken, I enjoyed seeing this. Keep updating please

[kcpoole]

Awesome job Ken!!!!! That is a stunning tee and to see the tangled mess you started with and where it came to is great. I'll never frown at a piece of stock just because it has so m,any messy trunks again. Looks like you reduced them in stages and you can't even see big scars on the final pic though they must be there i guess, must have healed up well. Thanks Ken, I enjoyed seeing this. Keep updating please

Correct Neal, the scars are still there, but just pointing away from the front. They will take many years to roll over and are protected with a smear of Japanese cut paste ( in the tube), which darkens and disguses them as well.

Ken

[rawhide]

top job Ken , you should put some kind of link to this progression on wiki as i have always struggled to see the tree within on clumped trees
and i am sure a lot of new members would get a great deal from the link .
as most azaleas that you come across are clumps as are many more species .
top work Ken, keep it up

[anthonyW]

Nice work Ken, very informative progression.
Anthony

[Andrew F]

Masterpiece.