AusBonsai

Hey folks,

Just looking for some info.....

I want to buy a large trunk Azalea topiary tree to make a pre bonsai.

Will this Azalea survive a chop half way down the trunk? I will be removing it from the ground tomorrow.

Yep Azalea will back bud from bare wood and
Here is a link to my progression thread which shows a severe trunk chop at collection
viewtopic.php?f=132&t=9913

Ken

Probably want to cut it below half way. I'm don't know wether azaleas will bud all along a trunk like that, down low or only at the top of the cut, but either way I'ld cut lower as otherwise you'll have a straight talerless trunk.

I saw these on gumtree the other day. How much did you end up getting them for?
Make sure you get plenty of the root ball


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My guess is that the straight trunk is not a small leafed azalea but rather a rododendron or something similar. You might get a surprise as to what grows back after the cut.

Honest newby question. I imagine you would cover the chop with paste or something?

Island Breeze wrote:Honest newby question. I imagine you would cover the chop with paste or something?

Being an Azalea, most definitely.

Regards Ray

Island Breeze wrote:Honest newby question. I imagine you would cover the chop with paste or something?

I use cut paste on all my cuts above about 5 mm and many smaller.
I use the Japanese tube stuff.

Re the cut down. I would cut back to 1/2 way or whatever to make in manageable, and when it shoots out, cut back again to the new shoots to use a leader.

Jow wrote:My guess is that the straight trunk is not a small leafed azalea but rather a rododendron or something similar. You might get a surprise as to what grows back after the cut.

I assume you are implying that is an azalea grafted onto other stock?

@ Homer, please Check whether it is grafted before you chop the tops off. If they are grafted then you will have to collect the entire plant and then layer the top off to use it only.

Ken

They are standard Azalea ''Indica''. They will grow from a chop but they don't make very good bonsai.

Yep thought so. Thanks!

treeman wrote:They are standard Azalea ''Indica''. They will grow from a chop but they don't make very good bonsai.

Even if it is an Indica, I think it would make a great bonsai.

OK.

I picked up the Azalea tree late today. There wasn't enough time to plant it because it got dark. I gave it a good soaking to it will hopefully last through the night.

So, I am thinking about cutting it in half and planting both top and bottom in the ground...... Any advice? I have bought some peat and some sand and I will mix this with some potting compost. The top section will be mostly pruned back to the bare trunk leaving a few leaves and dipped in rooting hormone. I will also have some dynamic lifter in the soil to give it a helping hand.

The root ball will just be placed in the ground with dynamic lifter and a good watering.

I think I will take some smaller cuttings from the head of the tree also and plant them in small pots.

Would love some feedback before I jump in tomorrow morning.

Thanks
Steven

Oh yeah, I paid $30 for the tree.

If it were mine I would "trunk chop" I would air layer. Why run this risk of the "cutting" failing?


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Azalea transplant very easily. I have had quite a few now and can't remember losing any. I have cut roots back very hard when transplanting- no problem. I got some from a renovation via a builder friend. They had been dug and left on the nature strip with the rest of the building waste for a couple of days in the sun - still grew when potted up.
The ones I have had can be cut back as far as you like. They will sprout from whatever stump you leave behind. Does not seem to matter how old the trunk is. I have not sealed cuts on azalea so far and have not noticed any dieback. This may relate to climate zone or maybe time of year? Not sure.

I would air layer. Why run this risk of the "cutting" failing?

Not sure I would agree Angus. Layering just takes more time when the base could be putting out new shoots and starting to develop as a bonsai. Depends which is the best part for bonsai
In actual fact the straight vertical trunk is going to be quite difficult to train as bonsai I would say but good luck anyway

Valid points guys.

If I do plant the upper section of the tree how would you reccommend supporting it?