Underdogs Azalea 2020-2025" entry

[Underdog]

 

[Underdog]

Glad my fertilizer helped, good reds in leaves are a sign nitrogen levels are good.

All of my azalea are extra red this year and loving the fall color!

 

[Underdog]

Wakin up slowly.

 

[Underdog]

Karens Kurume getting started now.


just for fun is the original one from the first post.

 

[Carol 83]

Karens Kurume getting started now.
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just for fun is the original one from the first post.
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that purple one.

 

[Underdog]

that purple one.

cuttings for you I have these plastic tubes that came w/your satsuki cuttings to send back.

 

[Pitoon]

That purple one is really nice.

 

[Underdog]

It's kickin in now. About tomorrow or next should be peak. I'll post pics

 

[Carol 83]

That purple one is really nice.

Because everyone know purple is the best color!

 

[Underdog]

 

[Underdog]

Fall color. Pretty good season.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Good read/info DSD. You 2 guys are full of good Azalea info and I value your input here and in other's threads I've read. Now that I'm back on my PC with coffee in hand I can read...

I've always used the Mirical Grow acid mix until this year. I have 8 different Azalea which make up about 20% of my collection and we seem to get along very well. Probably one of my favorites. They seem to be loving the @Leo in N E Illinois ferts. All my Azalea are looking better than ever this year. Thanks Leo.

It was unwired and cut back quite a bit for the second time since flowering about 3-4 weeks ago. Most of these leaves are new accounting for some of the lighter color but the majority of what you saw as yellowing was the sunshine in the impromptu pics. Of course there is always room for improvement

I'm also noticing much better healing of the scares from branch removal between the new ferts and the new to me orange Japanese wound sealant. Callousing seems twice as fast this year.

Thanks for the great info.

I've been reading quite a few of these contest entry threads, over the last few days, and was wondering if you could share the Leo Azalea fertilizer, advice?

 

[Carol 83]

and was wondering if you could share the Leo Azalea fertilizer, advice?

@Leo in N E Illinois sells fertilizer he makes himself. I have both the regular and the acid loving ones.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

@Leo in N E Illinois sells fertilizer he makes himself. I have both the regular and the acid loving ones.

Secret recipe! Brilliant!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Secret recipe! Brilliant!

Not really "secret" both formulas have been published, and are in public domain, as Michigan State University fertilizer formulations. But I "know a guy" and have them make up 500 pounds at a time for me. I then drive to their factory, load up the mini-van with 25 pound bags. Then over the next 2 or 3 years I repackage it from 25 pound bags to 1 pound containers. I sell at the orchid talks I give and the bonsai society meetings. Been doing this for near 20 years, it surprises me how much fertilizer I've moved one pound at a time. Fertilizer for trees in pots in artificial substrate (meaning not connected to the "living soil" of "ground growing" the nutrient requirements are pretty much the same, whether it is for "propagation plugs" in the landscape industry, or orchids in potted plant industry, houseplants, or just about anything living full time in a pot of man made "synthetic soil". The same laundry list of nutrients are needed.

Typical MSU formulations include the normal N-P-K with calcium, magnesium, and a 12 or more laundry list of micronutrients. The "acid plant formulation" is similar N-P-K but acidic salts of the minors, and less calcium and magnesium. The acid formulation was developed for the blueberry industry in Michigan.

So PM me.

 

[Underdog]

Not really "secret" both formulas have been published, and are in public domain, as Michigan State University fertilizer formulations. But I "know a guy" and have them make up 500 pounds at a time for me. I then drive to their factory, load up the mini-van with 25 pound bags. Then over the next 2 or 3 years I repackage it from 25 pound bags to 1 pound containers. I sell at the orchid talks I give and the bonsai society meetings. Been doing this for near 20 years, it surprises me how much fertilizer I've moved one pound at a time. Fertilizer for trees in pots in artificial substrate (meaning not connected to the "living soil" of "ground growing" the nutrient requirements are pretty much the same, whether it is for "propagation plugs" in the landscape industry, or orchids in potted plant industry, houseplants, or just about anything living full time in a pot of man made "synthetic soil". The same laundry list of nutrients are needed.

Typical MSU formulations include the normal N-P-K with calcium, magnesium, and a 12 or more laundry list of micronutrients. The "acid plant formulation" is similar N-P-K but acidic salts of the minors, and less calcium and magnesium. The acid formulation was developed for the blueberry industry in Michigan.

So PM me.

The Professor​

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Have just received several PMs from several Bnuts, I'll get the fertilizer out beginning of next week. Monday is the plan. I have to travel this week, leaving Thursday. But thank you one and all for the votes of confidence. Thanks Mark. @Underdog

 

[Underdog]

 

[Underdog]

Peak Blooms for these two. The rest of my azalea are just starting.

 

[Underdog]

That little one is florescent. Almost blurs the camera. The purple one it the contest tree. Soon to be cut back hard and planted in Kanuma. I'm trying the magic Pixi dust this year on a few.