Azalea......I think it's time for some work!

[Theodore]

Hello fellow bonsai enthusiasts.

Thought I would post an update on this azalea. I'm not sure whether to cut it back again or leave it to ensure it flowers in October.

Here it is in flower. Nothing had been done to it at this stage.



The first pic was taken on December 24, 2015 and the then one taken today (March 13, 2016). It has grown really well with some back budding.





There are a few larger branches that need to be removed and I'm not sure if now is a good time to do them or if I should wait a few more weeks.

Thanks and I look forward to your responses.

Theo

Sent from somewhere on planet earth using an iPad!

[zimzallabim]

Love this tree! I've been looking for a sad old azalea to bonsai yet to find one though

[Theodore]

Took some pics of this one in flower so thought I would share them. Still lots to do with this one, next in line is sorting out the deadwood. That is after the pruning it will get following flowering.





Theo

[kcpoole]

Lovely flower colour there,
looks nice and healthy too

Ken

[melbrackstone]

Great colour!! It's a fab project, looking forward to watching the progression!

[Theodore]

A little update on this one.

So I took all the flower heads off today and gave it a hair cut, initially it was going to be a light trim. It turned into quite a serious one which is exactly what it needed once you look at the growth habit of these things.

Will probably put some wire on it tomorrow to straighten it out in a few spots. I really need to get into the deadwood as well.

Comments always welcome.

Theo

Before taking spent flowers off


After taking flowers off


Not much left!

[Watto]

You do have a lovely tree, with a really good size trunk for an Azalea and some nice movement in the trunks. The dead wood will not last forever so action now is probably appropriate. The standard lime sulphur will suffice but be careful not to spill it on the soil.
Please keep us up-dated as it is a good story so far.