Teach me how to Fish. Azalea

@Deep Sea Diver @Glaucus I spent a few hours going over the Nuccio's catalog and using this resource & this database to see all the growth habits and hardiness. A few of the species mentioned in this thread had the * by them meaning N/A
View attachment 476240

I've narrowed my list down to these four. Based on foliage, flower, & noobness.

1. SHIRYU-NO-HOMARE —Purple. Medium, single with pointed and narrow spider petals. Unusual slender, twisted, dark green foliage (Rinpu). L-VL
2. KAZAN —This is a true dwarf. Very slow, tight, compact growth. The small, glossy, dark green foliage The small flower is salmon with five very noticeable, very dark anthers.
3. NUCCIO'S PLUM PURTY—Compact growth. Small hose-in-hose, purple. (Can someone tell me what hose-in-hose is? I'm not googling that. )
4. CHOJUHO —A most unusual Azalea. Blossoms first come out red then age to orange, then light green, and finally light brown, and remain so until winter. (-20F on this one.)

I’d say these are some of the very most popular cultivars. Good luck!

You can usually order now and ship a bit later.

cheers
DSD sends
 
Sounds like the wife didn't take the bait of Italian food?

I kinda gave my recommendations already. I guess those were marked as 'not available' on the 2018 stock list?
I don't know Plum Purty at all, but it seems DSD liked it. Kazan is very slow growing, which may be an issue if you want to bonsai it.
The other two are very popular bonsai subjects in Japan. And their hardiness helps, given your zone 6.

Hose in Hose means that the sepals turned into petals. The sepal is a tiny leaf that sits at the base of the flower. So it is like there are two flower stacked on top of each other.
 
Wait, they also have Haru no Sono? That one is also very nice. And a Czech Republic nursery claims it is hardy to -23C/-9F.
If they can sell you that, I would also recommend it.
 
Sounds like the wife didn't take the bait of Italian food?

I kinda gave my recommendations already. I guess those were marked as 'not available' on the 2018 stock list?
I don't know Plum Purty at all, but it seems DSD liked it. Kazan is very slow growing, which may be an issue if you want to bonsai it.
The other two are very popular bonsai subjects in Japan. And their hardiness helps, given your zone 6.

Hose in Hose means that the sepals turned into petals. The sepal is a tiny leaf that sits at the base of the flower. So it is like there are two flower stacked on top of each other.
Ha! If I did that to her and didn't have some cheese ravioli, wine and garlic bread on hand there'd be hell to pay. ;)

Yes, a couple of the ones you mentioned were n/a in 2018. I'm going to call them on Monday, and find out if what I want is in stock. I'll ask about the Nikko & Kogetsu which looked interesting.

Glaucus is that the Greek god or the plant?
 
I’d say these are some of the very most popular cultivars. Good luck!

You can usually order now and ship a bit later.

cheers
DSD sends
I'm going to call like you said. Between the carrier pigeon ordering system and looking at inventory from five years ago, on top of being a noob, they sure make this confusing. :)
 
Yes, call and see what's available, it's an old catalog. Jim called me yesterday and asked how our weather was and is shipping Tuesday. They will ship whenever you want them to, great guys to deal with, for sure.
 
Has anyone purchased the 4 y.o. Kazan offered by Brussel’s Bonsai? They are $50 shipped. It appears they come in an inexpensive production pot. It also looks as though they have at least had some initial styling towards bonsai. how would this compare to Nuccio‘s offerings? I have personally purchased from neither of these places so I have no experience with either.I have my heart set on adding a kazan to my collection and I considered starting my own thread but I thought that this information could possibly help OP as well, so forgive me for the minor hijack.

 
That’s funny… so sorry… this is actually kinda sad. Brussels is selling what are reportedly 5 yoa for 34.44 on Amazon. Doesn’t really look to me like they were worked much if at all. Kazan pretty much look like that if they are trimmed a little. I like Brussel’s for some things, yet little azaleas are not one of these.

Personally I’d stick with Nuccios. They may only be 3-4 yoa, but you will get these direct from the grower. Price wise you could buy at least 4 for the cost of the one advertised.

Another couple sources I use are Bloom River and Singing Tree Nursery if Nuccios is out of stock.

Many folks buy Kazan with the expectations they will be of size and are disappointed. These are dwarfs with tight compacted foliage. Also it takes a long time to shape the branches as Kazan branches can be springy, very un azalea like! They are all on the ten year plan!

Here are a couple I’ve been working on for a couple years. If I recall correctly, were given to me by @HamburgerTrain. Both are kind of unlovely after a hard winter, but very healthy!

image.jpg

cheers
DSD sends
 
Last edited:
Well that settles it then😅@Deep Sea Diver you haven’t steered me wrong yet! Honestly I was just being suckered in by the ease of purchase. Looks like I’ll be reaching out to Nuccio’s as well.

I have no problem with little plants. Most of my satsuki have come from Wayne at Riverbend and came in 3 to 4 inch containers.
 
I have no problem with little plants. Most of my satsuki have come from Wayne at Riverbend and came in 3 to 4 inch containers.
Nuccio's azaleas aren't that little, I think you'll be very pleased with anything you purchase from them.
 
That’s funny… so sorry… this is actually kinda sad. Brussels is selling what are reportedly 5 yoa for 34.44 on Amazon. Doesn’t really look to me like they were worked much if at all. Kazan pretty much look like that if they are trimmed a little. I like Brussel’s for some things, yet little azaleas are not one of these.


cheers
DSD sends
I've seen azalea for $20 from Brussels on Amazon. Also the "top Gin" (Jin) is on the way and it's still snowing in MI so no chops yet. :)

Has anyone purchased the 4 y.o. Kazan offered by Brussel’s Bonsai? They are $50 shipped. It appears they come in an inexpensive production pot. It also looks as though they have at least had some initial styling towards bonsai. how would this compare to Nuccio‘s offerings? I have personally purchased from neither of these places so I have no experience with either.I have my heart set on adding a kazan to my collection and I considered starting my own thread but I thought that this information could possibly help OP as well, so forgive me for the minor hijack.

Trying to do one from "scratch" as they say. My problem is not being artistic, I use the other side of my brain.

Nuccio's azaleas aren't that little, I think you'll be very pleased with anything you purchase from them.
If everyone who reads this could send me their best Nuccio's azalea so I can compare them that would be great. ;) You've had it long enough. :)
 
@Michigan Tree Murderer , have you put your order in yet? I’m curious what shipping looks like. @Carol 83 , maybe you can chime in? I’m just trying to figure how many plants I can fit into my budget before I call. Does anyone know if they charge per plant or per 6 pack of plants? I guess I could just call and find out as well. 😅
 
Back
Top Bottom