Azaleas and rhodies both only appear to be evergreen. Both of these shrubs produce both spring and summer leaves
Developing two different leaf types throughout the year is called ‘Dimorphic’. This phenomenon happens in many of the members of the Ericaceae Family.
Spring leaves tend to be larger and grow along the branches, while summer leaves tend to cluster at the end of branches and branchlets. When putting azaleas in storage it is good to strip off the spring leaves as these can cause fungus.
The colors of the spring leaves on Azaleas can vary from bright red to yellow… sometimes tinged in red. Haven’t noticed and Rhodies with red, but wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
Examples:
R. kiusianum (Mountain azalea)
Juko - A satsuki
Good news. Actually one might want to completely cover the surface with presoaked spagnum
btw: There is another shrub in the in the family Kalmia latifolia, mountain laurel that may actually also turn out to be a decent bonsai specimen.
….. worked some chopped sphag and pumice (since I just picked up 10 cubic feet…) into the exposed roots. I quite like how this looks, as I feel pike the roots look stronger now, and it will encourage more fine rooting near the surface. This angle shows my tentative front.
Many of the branches have a humber of small branchlets growing along them, which is encourage for a cut back. It seems that it has the capacity to backbud heavily, so I’ll try to be patient and only cut back to new growth in the spring.
Actually one might want to work even more presoaked sphagnum into the top of the media. Thicker the better.
Looks and even front really don’t matter at this stage.… esp. going into the winter. But will in a couple years once one figures out how the rhodo actually responds to your horticultural practice and environmen.
cheers
DSD sends
