Azalea Bonsai - Common Beauty
Azalea bonsai are some of the more common bonsai traditionally introduced when bonsai was brought over from China to Japan. It is one of the more dramatic plants to use as a bonsai. The Azalea bonsai is a member of the genus Rhododendron. Which means the Azalea bonsai is an evergreen, which actually grows as a small shrub. Small shrubs usually sit less than 6 feet in height. The Rhododendron of which the Azalea bonsai belongs has between 500-900 species and because they flower in larger flowers, they can be truly stunning as a bonsai. It is one of the reasons why Azalea bonsai are so popular.
Care And Details Of The Azalea Bonsai
This plant loves filtered or partial sun light. It is important to avoid exposing this plant to direct sun during the spring and summer months. The plant can do well outdoors even in winter climes but does need to be protected. Do this with some glass. It does not need to be brought indoors during the winter. Watering should be done with rainwater if possible, and keep soil damp. This plant does not like to have dry roots. It is important to repot every year in order to insure that the soil acidity remains high.
If you are, using fertilizers feed every 20-30 days if using a slow acting organic formula during early spring to late autumn. Micronutrients should be added using a schedule and chelated iron should be added a couple times a year. If you are using chemical fertilizers feed every 2 weeks with half strength solution for acid loving plants. Also, if you repot in spring do not feed until autumn and do not feed during the hottest month of the summer in order to protect the plant.
Pruning should be done in late summer, seal the wounds. This plant will grow shoots from old wood so keep this in mind. Also shoots grow in groups of 5 so reduce that to 2 then remove all the leaves but 2 sets on the 2 remaining shoots. Older branches are brittle so be careful while wiring, the day before you wire skip watering to help soften the branches. Repotting should be in spring after the flowers have died, every year for young trees, and 2-3 years for older trees. PH balance needs to be 4.5 to 5.5. It is best to use a soil specifically designed for Azaleas. Because of how root mass grows do not use a soil with particles because these can form mats and make water and feeding difficult.
