First Attempt At Styling Azalea

Justin

Hello people!

I'm still very much a newbie and would appreciate some comments on my first attempt at styling an azalea. I got it as nursery stock for $5 and $8 for the pot. What do you guys think about it?

Thanks!

Attached Images

azalea01.jpg (54.0 KB, 139 views)

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Rene_Voortwist

Hi Justin,

In my opinion there are two things that should be improved with your tree :

- The trunk is much to thin for the length of the tree. It will thicken very slowly if you keep it in its present pot. Maybe you should consider growing it in the ground or a large growing box for a few years to thicken it. You could also choose to make a shohin (small size) bonsai but then you should reduce the length considerably.
- The foliage is growing too far from the trunk. The only way to get it growing closer to the trunk is to cut the branches back. You can do that with azaleas. It will make new shoots on the old wood that you can train into new branches.

Maybe you should do both at the same time.

I know that your tree will not look good for a while, but the end result will be a much better tree.

Of course this is only my opinion. Anyone else ??

regards, René

Justin

Rene,

Thanks for your feedback. This azalea was a bushy fella before I pruned all the thinner branches. I guess I over did it on this one.

I appreciate your suggestions and I think they will look better too after I have done more work on it. As for now, I think i'll have to let it rest for some time. Hopefully I will get a nice display of flowers when spring arrives in a few months.

Keep the suggestions coming in! Thanks guys!

Tiny-Plant

Hi, are those rocks glued on? Or are they just wet making them look like that... If they are you should remove the stones/glue. And then put it in a grow box.

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fern

i would imagine that the rocks are not glued on. He said that he bought the plant and the pot seperately, and I find it hard to believe that he would glue them on himself. Glued on rocks are usually a sign of a tree bought at K-Mart intended for a person who doesn't know better. That said, from a stylistic point of view I would remove the rocks even if they aren't glued on. I don't think it looks natural, or adds anything positive to the composition.

I also agree with Renee, you should cut the branches back when you feel it won't stress your tree out too much (usually right after flowering with azaleas). It will help your tree's limbs look more in proportion to the trunk as well as encourage the tree to back bud.

Best of Luck!
Fern.