Another Nursery Azalea Gets a Chop

[Mellow Mullet]

November update:

Here is what she looks like today, lots of branches to choose from and a few buds. Looking forward to seeing what color the flowers are. What do you think?

 

[sorce]

I want one with black flowers.

My neighbor down the street, has black sunflower. They are a really deep red I think. But black.

Black flowers would be dope.
With a glossy black pot!

Sorce

 

[sorce]

Oh, and Damn!

Nice!

Sorce

 

[Vin]

OH MY GOD! You're going to let it flower? It will never be the same. It's going to be ruined. The world is going to move off its axis. Please rethink

Looking forward to seeing a few of mine in flower as well.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Yeah, I am gonna "roll the bones", lol, and let her bloom. I don't know the name or flower color of this one so it will be fun.

John

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Threw a little wire on it and got rid of some unwanted growth. For better or worse, here she is:

 

[Mellow Mullet]

update and mystery solved:

I did not know what I was getting when I purchased this one. It appears now to be and indica, like the ones planted in landscapes everywhere here in Mobile. Light purple/pink flowers.

 

[GrimLore]

mystery solved

Although common it is still nice. Seems to have a nice chunky base as well.

Grimmy

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Thanks, she is a chunky monkey.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Update:

Since it has finished blooming and the wires were ready to come off, I decided to give it a trim. Here is the start:

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Here is the finished product. I know it looks a little harsh, but in a couple of weeks she'll be full again.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

These updates really help me get my head around what you need to do with azaleas, Thanks for posting these. They are all pretty nice.

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Thanks, Leo. When I started on azaleas years ago, there wasn't much info on chopping nursery stock back and eventually turning it into a bonsai, other than Johng's videos on youtube, which are inspiring and awesome. So I started these threads to share what I have found to work and not work. Glad they help.

John

 

[MattE]

it blows my mind how trees adapt , and how they live through that. The will some of them have to live after taking all those roots and chopping it right down. Truly is remarkable

 

[BonsaiButler]

Looks really good. I would love to find an azalea like that at a nursery around here.
Is that pure oil dry you have it potted in?

 

[BunjaeKorea]

Must say its looking awesome! Lol are you gonna charge 300 bucks for it? Just kidding. But seriously looks great

 

[Mellow Mullet]

Looks really good. I would love to find an azalea like that at a nursery around here.
Is that pure oil dry you have it potted in?

No, I just have a top dressing of Turface on it. It is potted in a mixture of pumice, lava, and fir bark.

 

[GrimLore]

update and mystery solved:

Those are pretty common around here too but what I noticed they are almost always in very sunny locations. Could be why they are popular. If you see others here including rhododendron they are usually in shaded areas. Still, a nice plant though and of course just my "theory" on popularity

Grimmy

 

[MattE]

so quick question, i was at my nursery and they have Azeleas are all Azeleas made equally or are some better for bonsai more then others ?

 

[GrimLore]

so quick question, i was at my nursery and they have Azeleas are all Azeleas made equally or are some better for bonsai more then others ?

Yes indeed! Just as in other plants and trees you will want a cultivar that has both small leaf and smaller flowers for a nicely balanced look. Azalea - there are hundreds if not thousands so take a picture of the tag and research what it grows to before purchase. If you happen to come across Satsuki Azalea most any are suitable but you would need to Winter them in a shed or garage in your climate. Azalea are closely related to Rhododendron and they both can have huge leaf and flower depending on the variety.

Grimmy