Satsuki from Whip Development

[Deep Sea Diver]

Good work.

Looks like you are up for experimenting. I haven’t seen someone do half bare root on an azalea for awhile. This is normally a conifer/yamadori etc techniques.

The issue it presents with azalea is having two media with dissimilar draining characteristics, which can cause root rot. That’s because folks water when the media gets dry, but one half will be wet still. So the water holding side will get overwatered... and the roots get rot.

So be aware of this as a potential issue. I forget what media Riverbend uses, but I know it is more a bit more water holding then 95/5 Kanuma pumice…. at least for the dozen azalea he sent me. Definately Not as bad as some folks that try to HBR peat based nursery mix and Kanuma though. One thing you could try if you notice a difference is prop up the most water holding media side of the pot with a small stone. This will help drain it into the Kanuma, which might just do the trick.

The reason why HBR works good with yamadori conifers is these trees are found in fast draining media… similar to the bonsai media we use.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[AnutterBonsai]

Good work.

Looks like you are up for experimenting. I haven’t seen someone do half bare root on an azalea for awhile. This is normally a conifer/yamadori etc techniques.

The issue it presents with azalea is having two media with dissimilar draining characteristics, which can cause root rot. That’s because folks water when the media gets dry, but one half will be wet still. So the water holding side will get overwatered... and the roots get rot.

So be aware of this as a potential issue. I forget what media Riverbend uses, but I know it is more a bit more water holding then 95/5 Kanuma pumice…. at least for the dozen azalea he sent me. Definately Not as bad as some folks that try to HBR peat based nursery mix and Kanuma though. One thing you could try if you notice a difference is prop up the most water holding media side of the pot with a small stone. This will help drain it into the Kanuma, which might just do the trick.

The reason why HBR works good with yamadori conifers is these trees are found in fast draining media… similar to the bonsai media we use.

cheers
DSD sends

Yeah that’s totally a good tip. Honestly, I called it a HBR but technically I basically removed like in total 85% of old media on the not bare root side. And his mix is free draining already. So I will definitely be watching carefully . These are all meant as long term projects but also experiments. Time to get freaky!

 

[AnutterBonsai]

A few updates:
Kimi Maru has shown its colors and bloom! Lovely little flower with great subtle pattern.

Took wire off on all of them and now to let them grow. I may do some pruning through the year on the bottom to provide better top growth.

Thinking of re-wiring in the fall again.
so far they’re pretty healthy and have responded well to the repots done to them.

 

[Sputnik 184]

A few updates:
Kimi Maru has shown its colors and bloom! Lovely little flower with great subtle pattern.

Took wire off on all of them and now to let them grow. I may do some pruning through the year on the bottom to provide better top growth.

Thinking of re-wiring in the fall again.
so far they’re pretty healthy and have responded well to the repots done to them.

Really enjoying this thread as I am also developing some satsukis from whips. Different varieties to you. I too have been using a Kanuma/ pumice mix after years of poor growth and dead trees from 100% Kanuma soils.

 

[Carol 83]

Kimi Maru has shown its colors and bloom! Lovely little flower with great subtle pattern.

Mine is blooming also, they are really pretty.

 

[AnutterBonsai]

Really enjoying this thread as I am also developing some satsukis from whips. Different varieties to you. I too have been using a Kanuma/ pumice mix after years of poor growth and dead trees from 100% Kanuma soils.

Hoping for success on your journey! It's really fun watching them grow. Definitely kanuma/pumice combo is the way to go. The sphagnum has definitely been very beneficial for me, on hot days it will keep the surface moist enough by the time I come back from work.

 

[AnutterBonsai]

Mine is blooming also, they are really pretty.

They truly are.
Sidenote, I see you're from Illinois.. I am going to Chicago this weekend and we are stopping by the botanical gardens. Can't wait! Have you been?

 

[Carol 83]

They truly are.
Sidenote, I see you're from Illinois.. I am going to Chicago this weekend and we are stopping by the botanical gardens. Can't wait! Have you been?

No, I haven't been there. I am far south from Chicago. Half hour or so from St. Louis. BTW St. Louis has a really nice botanical garden. They have a Japanese festival every Labor Day weekend.

 

[AnutterBonsai]

No, I haven't been there. I am far south from Chicago. Half hour or so from St. Louis. BTW St. Louis has a really nice botanical garden. They have a Japanese festival every Labor Day weekend.

That sounds like a fun event to attend. If I ever have time to make it or be in the area, I will make a trip of it. thanks for the tip

 

[pandacular]

hey @AnutterBonsai , I’d love to see your azaleas a few more years along, do you still have them?

I just picked up a half dozen whips from DSD himself, so I’m doing my homework.