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Satsuki Azalea: Bonsai or Shrub?

View Poll Results: Suitable for bonsai or plant it in the flower bed?
Go for Bonsai 24 85.71%
Forget it! Put it in the flower bed 4 14.29%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 11-Jun-2006   #1
Schiavo
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Question Suggestions needed: Nursery Stock Satsuki Azalea
Hi All,

I just got this Satsuki Azalea (at least I think it's a Satsuki - the tag says Impeditum Rhododendron). It is nursery stock purchased from a local garden center. I have never done a bonsai from scratch before, so your suggestions on styling/shaping would be greatly appreciated. I have no idea where to go with it

My first question...does this particular specimen have potential to go into bonsai or should I forget it as a candidate for bonsai and just plant it my flower bed to enjoy it as a shrub?

Secondly - if it is indeed suitable for bonsai training, what style should I go for? How hard should I prune it - all the way to the trunk, leaving major structural branches only, or not as aggressive? Any ideas on shaping?

Again this is something new to me - Any help, suggestions or even sketches/visual aids would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help!
Adam
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UPDATE:

I pruned it a little, but I'm still not sure where I want to go with it...Maybe something like an African Acacia Tree?

I would like an informal upright but I don't think this little guy is suited for it? I have posted a new pic of the possible trunk line for an informal upright - would this be correct?

Also - the last two pics are new - this is what it looks like after I gave it a haircut.

PLEASE HELP!!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Image2.jpg (61.9 KB, 84 views)
File Type: jpg Image3.jpg (71.4 KB, 77 views)
File Type: jpg Image1.jpg (66.3 KB, 52 views)
File Type: jpg Image6.jpg (64.1 KB, 41 views)
File Type: jpg Image5.jpg (56.5 KB, 66 views)
File Type: jpg Image4.jpg (65.9 KB, 56 views)
Last edited by Schiavo : 11-Jun-2006 at 06:00 PM.
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Old 11-Jun-2006   #2
zube
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Impeditum is a dwarf rhododendron, not satsuki. Satsuki are R. Indica, I believe. Your plant looks good for bonsai though, it has a good single trunk, which aren't common in 'Impeditum'. You can prune it as hard as you want. New shoots come in groups of five, and should be reduced to two (usually one to the right and one to the left). It will have bluish-purple flowers in the spring. Pluck off all of them after they wilt.
Good luck,
zube
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File Type: jpg impeditum0001a.jpg (56.8 KB, 113 views)
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Old 11-Jun-2006   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zube
Impeditum is a dwarf rhododendron, not satsuki. Satsuki are R. Indica, I believe. Your plant looks good for bonsai though, it has a good single trunk, which aren't common in 'Impeditum'. You can prune it as hard as you want. New shoots come in groups of five, and should be reduced to two (usually one to the right and one to the left). It will have bluish-purple flowers in the spring. Pluck off all of them after they wilt.
Good luck,
zube
Zube... *SWEET* lil rhodie you have there. I like it very well indeed. I have two. One which of which I just bought. I may just have to style it with the vision of yours in my mind. You did well.

I personally prefer the dwarf rhodie to an azalea. The leaves are fantasticly small and more closely mimics it's big brother. I live surrounded by massive examples of wild rhodies... so that may be why I am so especially fond of them. Here's the one I have potted. I'll be styling my other one tomorrow most likely.

Kindest Regards,
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File Type: jpg rhodie.jpg (65.6 KB, 57 views)
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Last edited by Victrinia_Ensor : 12-Jun-2006 at 02:05 AM.
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Old 11-Jun-2006   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zube
Impeditum is a dwarf rhododendron, not satsuki. Satsuki are R. Indica, I believe. Your plant looks good for bonsai though, it has a good single trunk, which aren't common in 'Impeditum'. You can prune it as hard as you want. New shoots come in groups of five, and should be reduced to two (usually one to the right and one to the left). It will have bluish-purple flowers in the spring. Pluck off all of them after they wilt.
Good luck,
zube


Thanks Zube - I wasn't sure if Satsuki was the same thing....thanks for clearing that up and for giving your advice! This helps
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Old 11-Jun-2006   #5
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I have about a dozen of these in development. They are wonderful, because they have very small leaves and flowers. You can make a totally believable mame or shohin azalea. Go for it.

- bob
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Old 11-Jun-2006   #6
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Thanks, Ms. Vic! The fun thing with these is that they grow so fast. If you make a mistake, a new branch will be along pretty quick.
Take care,
zube

Here's my other 'Impeditum', a cascade. I don't have a good picture, but this is a year ago after a severe pruning.
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Old 12-Jun-2006   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zube
Impeditum is a dwarf rhododendron, not satsuki. Satsuki are R. Indica, I believe. Your plant looks good for bonsai though, it has a good single trunk, which aren't common in 'Impeditum'. You can prune it as hard as you want. New shoots come in groups of five, and should be reduced to two (usually one to the right and one to the left). It will have bluish-purple flowers in the spring. Pluck off all of them after they wilt.
Good luck,
zube

By the way Zube - I LOVE the styling you did to this tree - it is absolutely gorgeous, would my little Rhody be able to be trained this way? I pruned it lightly today (pictures posted) but i'm just not liking it....I want to style it similar to yours, but I don't no what the first step should be.

Something like what you've got would be too cool...
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Old 12-Jun-2006   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Victrinia_Ensor
Zube... *SWEET* lil rhodie you have there. I like it very well indeed. I have two. One which of which I just bought. I may just have to style it with the vision of yours in my mind. You did well.

I personally prefer the dwarf rhodie to an azalea. The leaves are fantasticly small and more closely mimics it's big brother. I live surrounded by massive examples of wild rhodies... so that may be why I am so especially fond of them. Here's the one I have potted. I'll by styling my other one tomorrow most likely.

Kindest Regards,

You're right Victrina - these leaves are Really small - that was what caught my eye. I can't wait until i have decided what route to go with this little rhody

Thanks for posting your pic - looks quite a bit like mine after today's pruning
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Old 12-Jun-2006   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zube
Thanks, Ms. Vic! The fun thing with these is that they grow so fast. If you make a mistake, a new branch will be along pretty quick.
Take care,
zube

Here's my other 'Impeditum', a cascade. I don't have a good picture, but this is a year ago after a severe pruning.

Oh my.... Zube I like that cascade so well, I really must insist you take an updated photograph. I would love to see how the structure developed over the last year..................please.

Don't make a girl beg... it's unbecoming..lol

Yours most kindly,
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Old 12-Jun-2006   #10
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A question for our friends who have more time in with these lil beauties...

How well do they back-bud on older wood? I was not to as extreme as I might of been with my first rhodie without really knowing. And frankly I didn't get a lot of back-budding on it I think, because there is enough crown that it didn't feel the need to...

However with my next one, the structure is suggestive of some fairly vigorus styling being appropriate. However I don't want to reduce a branch to a point where I will not get new growth off of it. Or do you just take your branches down to the last new growth. And if I missed a comment regarding back-budding, forgive me...

Kindest Regards,
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