Azalea #2 - Glenn Dale 'Violetta'

[Pitoon]

This thread will be a progression thread on the conversion of a nursery plant to a bonsai.

Azalea Group: Glenn Dale
Cultivar: 'Violetta'
Height: 3-4'
Spread: 3-4'
Growth rate: Medium
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8
Color of flower: Intense purplish pink
Size of flower: 2”- 2¼" (Truss has 2-3 flowers)
Bloom time: Early
Parentage: Malvaticum (SP) x Satsuki azalea (PP)

History of the Glenn Dale Group of Azaleas


List of Glenn Dale azaleas: Glenn Dale Azaleas


Here is the azalea as is in bloom, flowers were removed to make it easier to cut back - 11MAY20




Twin trunk style was decided based on the existing branches. The azalea was cut back fairly hard leaving key branches as future branches for the design. Leaves were left at the ends of the branches if it was possible. All cuts were sealed and key branches were wired to set their placement - 28MAY20







The azalea has responded well to the pruning and root reduction. Adventitious buds emerged in extremely well locations - 22JUN20

 

[Pitoon]

Growth continues and the azalea is showing vigor - 08JUL20



Growth continues - 16JUL20



Growth has exploded and branches are now ready to be cut back and rewired, wire has already begun to slightly bite in. Wire has been removed, minimal scarring from the wire can be seen - 23JUL20




A nice unglazed shohin pot has been selected for the repotting - 24JUL20

 

[hinmo24t]

i dig it

 

[Carol 83]

Nice progression. Three out of the 4 I separated and planted the end of May are still kicking.

 

[Pitoon]

Nice progression. Three out of the 4 I separated and planted the end of May are still kicking.

That's a month and a half already. That's great!

 

[Clorgan]

Growth continues and the azalea is showing vigor - 08JUL20
View attachment 318094


Growth continues - 16JUL20
View attachment 318097


Growth has exploded and branches are now ready to be cut back and rewired, wire has already begun to slightly bite in. Wire has been removed, minimal scarring from the wire can be seen - 23JUL20
View attachment 318098
View attachment 318100


A nice unglazed shohin pot has been selected for the repotting - 24JUL20
View attachment 318101
View attachment 318102

Very nice - so much growth!

It's a similar sort of trunk structure to mine I entered into the contest. Both your trunks look pretty straight like mine, just wondered if you have any thoughts on this?

 

[Pitoon]

Over the course of several days time permitted I pruned back unwanted branches and cut the tips of branches kept to promote back budding. I have a few new branches wired up to set their location - 26JUL20



The roots had to be trimmed slightly to get it to fit within the pot in a presentable manner - 26JUL20



The tree now secured to it's new pot - 26JUL20

 

[Pitoon]

UPDATE: I thought it was time to post a quick update on how this one is coming along. It has filled in nicely. Sometime this month I will lightly wire the new growth.

 

[shinmai]

Wow, that’s really coming along very nicely! The only observation I would suggest is that the more slender of the two trunks has that long straight section, but if it keeps pushing growth like this, you’ll easily be able to break that up visually with new branches. Love the flowers, too.

 

[Pitoon]

Wow, that’s really coming along very nicely! The only observation I would suggest is that the more slender of the two trunks has that long straight section, but if it keeps pushing growth like this, you’ll easily be able to break that up visually with new branches. Love the flowers, too.

Yes, my plan is to hide that trunk with the branches and foliage.

 

[Pitoon]

Quick picture update....

 

[Pitoon]

Just finished rewiring and adding some fertilizer. It's starting to fill in now. Hopefully it will set some buds this summer/fall.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Nicely done @Pitoon! I love the thorough systematic progression you’ve done.

My only observation is that you might want to relook at restyling the straight section as @shinmai mentioned earlier. You’ve good growth and branching there, so getting it cut up a bit and rewiring up a lower side branch to take its place should be a snap.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Forsoothe!]

I'll third that.

 

[Pitoon]

Nicely done @Pitoon! I love the thorough systematic progression you’ve done.

My only observation is that you might want to relook at restyling the straight section as @shinmai mentioned earlier. You’ve good growth and branching there, so getting it cut up a bit and rewiring up a lower side branch to take its place should be a snap.

Cheers
DSD sends

I need to find a small branch bender to put in a slight bend about midway up the trunk. It's funny that picture doesn't really show how the tree looks in person. Once these branches set then I'll focus on the trunk.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

It would be interesting to see you use a branch bender.

Honestly I’ve never seen one used on an azalea, so it would be nice to know this is possible on bigger branches.

Cheers
DSD sends