Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
Most likely summer 2025, since there's such a variance in blooming time everyone will be able to take pics of their tree at its best in spring.
Azalea contest 2020-2025
- Thread starter Pitoon
- Start date
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
I have never done a bonsai from stock, only from seed or from buying one in the store- so this seems like an excellent opportunity to start! I have a few indoor bonsais that I've rescued and rehabbed from back corners of the garden center. For this azalea one, I've watched a few YouTube videos to try and figure out what I'm doing, but if anyone has pointers for a person just getting started who has the ability to keep most indoor plants alive - I'm all ears. I feel like I got a pretty good general understanding from the YouTube videos and understand that it will be a long term and interesting project.
I'm going to start stalking some of our local nurseries for a nice trunk shape Jan 1
I'm new here and excited about the wealth of info!
Welcome to the forum.
If you don't want to spend much wait till Home Depot or Lowe's gets their new arrival of azaleas in. I've found several with stellar trunks. I would also avoid the Encore varieties, the leaves on those are double to triple in size.
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
Here's a video to get everyone hyped up.....
Sunwyrm
Mame
I have never done a bonsai from stock, only from seed or from buying one in the store- so this seems like an excellent opportunity to start! I have a few indoor bonsais that I've rescued and rehabbed from back corners of the garden center. For this azalea one, I've watched a few YouTube videos to try and figure out what I'm doing, but if anyone has pointers for a person just getting started who has the ability to keep most indoor plants alive - I'm all ears. I feel like I got a pretty good general understanding from the YouTube videos and understand that it will be a long term and interesting project.
I'm going to start stalking some of our local nurseries for a nice trunk shape Jan 1
I'm new here and excited about the wealth of info!
Welcome! Idk where you are specifically in NoVA, but we have a TON of nurseries with nice azaleas still out. Any of the Merrifields ($$) or Meadows Farms (clearance sales now!) locations are pretty fantastic. And azaleas do great in our area.
Sunwyrm
Mame
I got my trees! How do we participate? Do we need to start a new thread like the Little Christmas tree contest? Sorry if I missed it posted already.
EricainDC
Seedling
Those are my go-to spots! I like the Meadows Farms out on Route 7 (not the one at Reston Parkway, the one like a mile past that). I live really close to Wolf Trap (and therefore Wolf Trap Nursery), so might check there too. Are you a member of any bonsai clubs here? I want to find some hands on workshops that can help me figure out how to style things. I just have a bunch of interesting baby plants and a 10 yr old ficus that I've tried to style with moderate success by my standards and probably no success by actual bonsai standards
eryk2kartman
Chumono
Bad luck guys, ive checked my local GC and couple more and no sign of Christmas trees anymore 
also azaleas are not around yet this year, will have to wait till spring to get one
also azaleas are not around yet this year, will have to wait till spring to get one 
Vasyl
Mame
I'd like to try, but I know nothing about azaleas. What are you starting with? Maybe I will copy your steps since we are in the same area? And if I win you can keep the prize
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
@Vasyl I was thinking of trying, but I kill azalea like they were grown for it!
I can't (refuse to) protect one well enough and winter kills the roots every time for me.
Just remember....
The winner doesn't start earliest.
The winner starts with the best material earliest.
Sorce
I can't (refuse to) protect one well enough and winter kills the roots every time for me.
I won't be able to get one till like March.
Just remember....
The winner doesn't start earliest.
The winner starts with the best material earliest.
Sorce
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
Yes, start of the new year post your thread with your tree you plan to enter (fresh untouched - no pre-bonsai). Just one tree for this contest that you need to document everything you do to it...….if it dies you can start over with a new tree.
Vasyl
Mame
Thank you
Sunwyrm
Mame
Those are my go-to spots! I like the Meadows Farms out on Route 7 (not the one at Reston Parkway, the one like a mile past that). I live really close to Wolf Trap (and therefore Wolf Trap Nursery), so might check there too. Are you a member of any bonsai clubs here? I want to find some hands on workshops that can help me figure out how to style things. I just have a bunch of interesting baby plants and a 10 yr old ficus that I've tried to style with moderate success by my standards and probably no success by actual bonsai standards
I'm not a part of any clubs since I have a toddler and enough trees to keep me busy
I just read here and bother Jerry on Reddit's /r/bonsai Weekly Beginner threads with my silly questions. Just go grab some healthy clearance plants to practice on, do a quick google before you buy to make sure it's an appropriate species, and work on it at the right times for that species. Get a good number so you don't focus too much on one, but not so many you can't take care of them all when they need it. I'll grab things from Lowes or Walmart for a few bucks because I can't help myself, but Meadows Farms has some of the best value, especially on their clearance items. I just grabbed 3 azaleas for this contest for under $25!If I have 3 untouched azaleas now, and I pick one for the contest and theoretically keep two as backups, if I work on the other two concurrently will they be disqualified, and I'll need to buy/find a new untouched for my entry replacement?
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
We all need to start with "one" untouched tree. If you are working with 2 other trees on the side and your initial entry dies.........you can re-enter with "one" untouched tree not with the pre-bonsai you already started.
Those are the rules for the contest, they are pretty simple.
Sunwyrm
Mame
Thanks - they are, just getting my contests crossed and wanted to verify. Excited and thanks for coming up with this contest!
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
You have anything in mind with what you already have? I have one I bought earlier this year with I would say 1.5" trunk, still need to figure out what line to use for the trunk though.
Sunwyrm
Mame
I do, I bought 3 for 3 completely different styles, but now I need to go take a much closer look to see which one I really want to go with. They're all small trunk nursery finds, but it'll be fun nonetheless. I had some nicer stock earlier in the year, but pruned them all back in June
Oh well! Contests are great excuses for more trees, especially one of my favorites.
I'm amazed that you all can find azalea's this time of the year. Probably won't be any available around here until at least April. Not that I'll be joining the contest. As much as I love them, they do not return the sentiment.
Pitoon
Imperial Masterpiece
There's several nurseries in my area that have them, although not the best condition nor selection. New stock comes in right before they bloom here. Only negative is that's when they ask top dollar for them becuase people want instant flowers in their yard.I'm amazed that you all can find azalea's this time of the year. Probably won't be any available around here until at least April. Not that I'll be joining the contest. As much as I love them, they do not return the sentiment.
Yamabudoudanshi
Shohin
I'm not too well read on taxonomy, but would my Cape Jasmine count? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gardenia_jasminoides Have a bush of it here on my balcony. It is the single petal Japanese variety. They're called クチナシ (kuchinashi) mouth pear? and quite popular for shohin bonsai here in Japan.
I've been planing on trying to take an air layer off of mine and trying a shohin myself? Thoughts?
I've been planing on trying to take an air layer off of mine and trying a shohin myself? Thoughts?
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