Developing Azalea Material through Drastic Pruning

[drew33998]

John, based on your instructions, I reduced the root ball on this kurume hybrid last spring by a good 75%, and pruned back to the nubbins. First photo is of new growth coming in, second photo is how it looked at the end of the season. Plan for this year is to trim the roots back a little more, and get it into a smaller pot. Wondering if I should cut back the foliage again, or wait until next year?
View attachment 92849 View attachment 92850

Nubbins. I like that word

 

[johng]

Is the best time to prune just before bud break? Obviously we're not concerned about flowers at this point.

It is hard to say what the BEST time is exactly...too many factors. I have done drastic pruning successfully during the first half of the growing season.