Yard collected azalea suggestions

[Brim Gribley]

This azalea was in poor shape a few years ago, pruned it while it was still in the ground and dug a circle around the roots and filled with good soil. I collected it recently, looks like it could potentially become a decent raft but I’m having problems coming up with a plan. I figured I’d put it to the forum for ideas, you guys have never let me down before! Thanks for taking a look.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Nice dig! More of a clump, but what the hey. It looks like a windswept candidate, something rare in azalea world.

Well, if you just dug the azalea, it might be wise to lay off anything big until next summer and try to get it to survive a NYC winter. That’s a big step. Once you can learn to properly winter over an azalea without damage to the roots and top hamper, the rest is easier.

Long term I’d bring down the top hamper a bit. to lower green foliage, to try to spur growth below. Also wire the smaller branches consistent with the windswept style.

Hmm…. Let me see if I have an example buried away…. here’s one to show you the basic style


cheers
DSD sends

 

[Brim Gribley]

Wow! Yeah, that one you posted in the pic looks great! Is that yours? Thanks for the advice, I will definitely leave it alone until spring, provided it makes it through and research as much as possible on overwintering it. Fingers crossed

 

[Brim Gribley]

Wow! Yeah, that one you posted in the pic looks great! Is that yours? Thanks for the advice, I will definitely leave it alone until spring, provided it makes it through and research as much as possible on overwintering it. Fingers crossed

Oh I forgot to mention that most of that growth on the bottom is from backbudding after pruning

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Not not yours, but a famous bonsai.

What I was referring to was getting backbudding down those two long bare trunks.

That will take some work by pushing the apex growth down to the lower growth up top to try to force backbudding down the trunks so these can be possibly be grown into pads to support the design.

btw I will be posting an overwintering resource in a week or two.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Themilkyway]

Hi I am wondering when is a good time to dig up an azalea yardadori like this? I am in zone 8b. Thank you

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Greetings and welcome aboard BonsaiNut!

Right now is fine as long as you can properly take care of the tree afterwards, especially through the winter.

btw: It’s a good idea to post your approximate location and USDA zone in your profile so folks can help give you their best advice. Tap your icon, then account details, scroll down and enter the data.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[Shibui]

Oh I forgot to mention that most of that growth on the bottom is from backbudding after pruning

Azaleas generally sprout new shoots easily, even from really old bare stems after chopping. You can see that where you made the earlier chops.

Looks like a great trunk running along the ground so I'd try to incorporate that in the design. Something between the windswept that @Deep Sea Diver posted and a traditional raft should look good.
From the pics best front appears to be the first 2 pics for depth and flow.
Definitely leave it to recover from repot. Some breeze through and are ready the following year, some take a few years to replace roots.

 

[Japonicus]

I will be posting an overwintering resource in a week or two.

Please tag me when you do if you can remember

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Sure. Its out to reviewers.
Better still, how about I shoot you a copy to look over and comment on?
PM me if interested.
cheers
DSD sends

 

[Brim Gribley]

Not not yours, but a famous bonsai.

What I was referring to was getting backbudding down those two long bare trunks.

That will take some work by pushing the apex growth down to the lower growth up top to try to force backbudding down the trunks so these can be possibly be grown into pads to support the design.

btw I will be posting an overwintering resource in a week or two.

Cheers
DSD sends

Amazing, Like you said it getting through the winter is a main concern, Definitely gonna be on the lookout for upcoming post! Thanks DSD

 

[Brim Gribley]

Azaleas generally sprout new shoots easily, even from really old bare stems after chopping. You can see that where you made the earlier chops.

Looks like a great trunk running along the ground so I'd try to incorporate that in the design. Something between the windswept that @Deep Sea Diver posted and a traditional raft should look good.
From the pics best front appears to be the first 2 pics for depth and flow.
Definitely leave it to recover from repot. Some breeze through and are ready the following year, some take a few years to replace roots.

Thanks Shibui! I was undecided about the front. Going with your recommendation

 

[Japonicus]

Love the nebari here.
The back side not so much, but this side looks fantastic.
Next potting, I would give this feature more real estate to develop and show off.

 

[Brim Gribley]

View attachment 456919
Love the nebari here.
The back side not so much, but this side looks fantastic.
Next potting, I would give this feature more real estate to develop and show off.

Thanks Japonicus! I'll do that, it was a wonderful surprise when I unearthed it. Ill update!

 

[Brim Gribley]

Wanted to post an update on the azalea, I built a cold frame on the suggestions of the thread, and it made it through the winter! Here’s some pics.

 

[Brim Gribley]

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Great job! Should start in fertilizing now.

What’s with all the little balls? LECA?

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Brim Gribley]

Great job! Should start in fertilizing now.

What’s with all the little balls? LECA?

Cheers
DSD sends

Yeah Leca, usually wouldn’t use it but had to make do, Thanks so much!

 

[Brim Gribley]

I started the cannazym