Satsuki Azalea Opinion

mushashi

Hi,

I am about to receive a 25 year old imported satsuki azalea Kozan. To me in my neophyte knowledge, it looks like it has potential.

The only thing I am wondering about plus or minus. Is at the base of it's pretty thick trunk 3" is a semi- circular scar. At first glance to me I said cool it adds to the age look of the tree. Then after thinking about it, I was wondering if it might negative affect it's value/appeal?

Being fairly new to this I was unsure. It is a done deal so either way I will live with it but thought I could get some opinions.

I will try to include a few pics so you can get an idea. Thanks....

Attached Images

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Aurelius

The lighting in the first two photos aren't very revealing.
The third picture won't enlarge for some reason.

mushashi

Yes, I know unfortunately they are the only pix I have right now. The area I am talking about is in the very low right on the first two photos.


Hopefully, I can provide more when I can take more pix.....

Thanks anyway.......

Oh, any comments on possible styling for this guy, right now?

mushashi

Anything?

zube

Mushashi,
Stone Lantern has a book on satsuki that's quite good "The Floral Treasures of Japan" by Kennedy. I assume they also still have a video on satsuki pruning and styling. It's 30 minutes long. I think they were $29.95. You will learn more from these two items than 100 back-and-forth questions here in this forum. Especially so when your questions are "Any ideas on styling?" Of course, your best bet would be a bonsai club in your area, and a member that has satsuki. I saw your tree on eBay, it seemed like a reasonable buy, at least what I could tell from the pictures.
Good luck,
zube

mushashi

Thanks for the tips zube! I will check it out. Yes you are correct where I got it.
I kinda know the person and it was a very good deal. I don't usually like to do long distance buying though.


Hopefully, it will turn into a beaut! Thanks......

zoot

Hi Mushashi,


I too can recommend the Kennedy book. It's very thorough and helpful. I went to his satsuki classes but unfortunately he moved way down to the West Country too far for me to go. He's very experienced and knowledgeable.

Another good book is 'Japanese Satsuki Bonsai - How to Grow Satsuki Bonsai and an Introduction to their Varieties'. It is written by Shogo Watanabe. Published in English by Tochinoha Shobou Co Ltd. Mail Address: info@tochinoha-shobo.com

I expect they would be able to tell you where you could get a copy. Great picture essays - pruning, styling, re-potting etc. Very comprehensive.

__________________
Best regards

Zoot

'You got to be original, man...' Lester Young 1909-1959

mushashi

Hey great tips. I love reading about this stuff, so maybe I can learn something and enjoy at the same time!


Thanks.....

arthurob

G'day,

Yes, from 'down under'.

I specialise in growing Satsuki Bonsai and if you have done nothing yet I would recommend you put some good sealer on the bare wood of the wound to stop any rot getting in. Azaleas rot very easily so I would give the tree a good spray of fungicide first, let it dry and then apply sealant. Features of this sort are not commonly shown on Satsuki as the wood is not hard like Juniper and you cannot really make a nice feature of it.

In most cases people use a nice little rock that will fit in and use a shape that will enhance the shape of the base of the tree.

What you have is a nice piece of material which should do well in zine 9 as Kozan comes from a fairly cold part of Japan as far as winters go. Do give it frost protection but don't let it get so warm that the buds start to swell.

Make sure you use a very open mix. If you can't get Kanuma soil in the USA then something like Redwood saw dust, cat litter or calcined clay and some fairly coarse gravel will make a good mix. Add some trace elements.
Importantly do not let it stand in water. you will kill it very quickly but it does require plenty of regular water.

When you train the branches make sure you wire plenty of curves side to side and up and down to create interesting lines.

There are a million things I could tell you about it but this might help you a little.

Arthurob