Root over Rock, Exposed Root, Hard Pruning..

[KevinSpK]

I was given an Azalea, it wasn't a bonsai but being somebody who has always wanted to get into the hobby I thought I would give it a shot. Final result, disappointment.

The tree is still alive but looks terrible. Questions are, can I hard prune an Azalea back to the trunk, the red lines and leave the small branch between the two cuts. Should I take that little branch right out. Just take everything off and hold thumbs it grows back. I have read this is done a lot with great success. My worry comes in with the fact that it has been about five seasons and it hasn't really grown many new leaves or thickened up. I had read that taking off all the leaves but two per branch would get it to focus on growing bushier. I don't know anything about that, but did it anyway as it gave me something new to do with the tree. I am now at the point that I just want it potted cut back and stable so I can just leave it to do its own thing for a while and when its nice and thick I will try shaping again.

I take it out each day and put it under the shade cloth because I was told that they aren't fond of direct sunlight. On a possibly important side note we don't get snow or even frost in our winters. It gets watered when the top soil seems a bit dry. That is normally every second or third day. How often should I be watering it and how much water at a time.

The tree is in a normal deep pot. I thought it would thicken up if I left it there as apposed to putting it into a thin bonsai pot. It did have some exposed roots so i put some stones in there to keep them separated and over time have cleaned out the ones that didn't thicken up. So I was thinking when i re pot it to go with either an exposed root or root over rock style. the exposed root style will be easy enough I assume. Take tree out....Put in new pot....Leave alone. But then with the root over rock style things seem to get a bit confusing. I have read that the tree needs to be planted over the rock then the roots and rock are all planted under soil and in a few years the rock starts to show, when its out I clean up the roots and there it is. But others have taken a plant that has been growing already without a rock and just place it on the rock and hold thumbs. As a newbie to the hobby, still with only the one tree I figured instead of trying and failing I would ask for help and hope somebody takes my hand and guides me through. So please, hold my hand and guide me through.

On a side note to all other newbies. Start with more than one tree. I got real impatient and the tree suffered for it. I just wanted to play and play and there just wasn't that much to play with. And now I am embarrassed to even say I have the tree. Help me please.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I would say certainly get a couple more to experiment with. I have a few years experience on you, and I am far from a master, but what I would recommend is to focus on keeping trees nice and healthy before you worry about styling them.
This particular tree is in no condition for pruning at all much less a big chop. I would leave it outside. Especially with no risk of frost, there is no reason to bring it in, and quite a few reasons not to bring it in
As far as keeping them healthy, first you need to work on your soil composition. There are a lot of different options and debates about soil, but the consensuses is generally that you need a soil that is more granular that can freely drain water and also breath well. Azaleas in particular like acidic soil, so some orchid sphagnum in your mix as your organic component might help out.

Hope this helps and is not too discouraging. Bonsai can be a lot of fun, but I think you have some reading to do. Here is a link to start withttp://www.evergreengardenworks.com/earthpot.htm. there are a bunch of other great articles there too.

Good Luck,
David

 

[coppice]

I was given an Azalea, it wasn't a bonsai but being somebody who has always wanted to get into the hobby I thought I would give it a shot. Final result, disappointment.

Its a baby. let him grow for a year and prune out the longest and strongest branches every other year for the next dozen years.

I take it out each day and put it under the shade cloth because I was told that they aren't fond of direct sunlight.

You can shade it from some afternoon sun, but azalea is tougher than you credit it for.

The tree is in a normal deep pot. I thought it would thicken up if I left it there as apposed to putting it into a thin bonsai pot. It did have some exposed roots so i put some stones in there to keep them separated and over time have cleaned out the ones that didn't thicken up. So I was thinking when i re pot it to go with either an exposed root or root over rock style. the exposed root style will be easy enough I assume. Take tree out....Put in new pot....Leave alone. But then with the root over rock style things seem to get a bit confusing. I have read that the tree needs to be planted over the rock then the roots and rock are all planted under soil and in a few years the rock starts to show, when its out I clean up the roots and there it is. But others have taken a plant that has been growing already without a rock and just place it on the rock and hold thumbs. As a newbie to the hobby, still with only the one tree I figured instead of trying and failing I would ask for help and hope somebody takes my hand and guides me through. So please, hold my hand and guide me through.

OK you've set this one up bare-footed. if you want a try another RoR thats fine too. But pick one trial for one tree. No tree is going to succeed at both.

. And now I am embarrassed to even say I have the tree. Help me please.

It looks like a young azalea after a chop. Mix up the beverage of your choice and sit with your tree and relax.

Neither of you (or the tree) are going anywhere. Don't be in a rush.

 

[KevinSpK]

It is indeed a baby. By my rough calculations of it being with me for almost a year and at my mothers place for two years and a few months that its about three. To me it should really be a lot thicker tho. Ust just be a super slow growing tree. The other azalea she had is in a pot and its about 5, not a bonsai, and its thicker than a Pepsi bottle cap. I'm scared to leave it outside where it can get rained on, I worry about over watering. If its hardy enough to deal with the rain drenching it then I have an idea to repot it back in the pot it is currently in. Just. With better soil. And then leaving it to go wild and when its thicker and older I will hard prune it back to that point in the photo. I don't like how small the trunk is and how long and lanky the top section is. So that raises another question. When I repot it now should I take the stones out of the roots or leave them there to keep the roots seperated, it looks bad in the photo, but when you look at it its actually verry interesting. And secondly should I repot it deep enough that the exposed roots are covered or keep them exposed. I will be going to a nursary sooner or latter to find some new material. So that I have somethng to do while this one gets back to its bushy glory it had as a normal pot plant. And when the bug bites to play with the tree, I will just go get a new tree to start. Got to learn to be patient I suppose.

 

[coppice]

It is indeed a baby. By my rough calculations of it being with me for almost a year and at my mothers place for two years and a few months that its about three.

It looks its age.

To me it should really be a lot thicker tho. Ust just be a super slow growing tree. The other azalea she had is in a pot and its about 5, not a bonsai, and its thicker than a Pepsi bottle cap.

If size is your only concern; plant it back to field (without added rocks).

I'm scared to leave it outside where it can get rained on, I worry about over watering.

If you have it potted with proper very fast draining soil, unless your keeping it immersed, it can't get over watered.

If its hardy enough to deal with the rain drenching it then I have an idea to repot it back in the pot it is currently in. Just. With better soil. And then leaving it to go wild and when its thicker and older I will hard prune it back to that point in the photo. I don't like how small the trunk is and how long and lanky the top section is. So that raises another question. When I repot it now should I take the stones out of the roots or leave them there to keep the roots seperated, it looks bad in the photo, but when you look at it its actually verry interesting. And secondly should I repot it deep enough that the exposed roots are covered or keep them exposed.

Pick one. Either it is to be; 1. bare-footed and have exposed roots (ditch the rocks). 2. A root over rock specimen (keep rocks). or 3. an informal tree. Pick one.

I expect the soil you are using may be too dense. Bonsai and "potting" or other loess based soils are almost always a bad mix.

I will be going to a nursary sooner or latter to find some new material. So that I have somethng to do while this one gets back to its bushy glory it had as a normal pot plant. And when the bug bites to play with the tree, I will just go get a new tree to start. Got to learn to be patient I suppose.

Your three year old azalea is just about the right size its supposed to be. if you persist in trying to train your tree(s) three different ways at the same time, your gonna go away from our endeavor unhappy.

If you want a museum quality collection you can either wallow with your trees, or win powerball.