Azalea Bonsai help

Yes, I make sure to check it during the day and water when it starts getting dry. I have not fertilized the leaves or trunk tho so that I will get on right away!

Yea I make sure I don’t mist or water (unless the soil is really dry, then I will give it just a little bit to moisten the soil) after about 4pm.
 
You are most welcome! Most all of us remember what it felt like when we were a new hobbyist. Especially had a hard time getting information on best practices for azaleas.

Pease also ensure the media is moist….

Ensure the leaves and trunk are fertilized too.

Be sure when watering and fertilizing that the leaves dry before sundown to avoid fungal issues.

Best
DSD sends
Alright, so here is one month progress, I went with full strength fish fertilizer. Water with it and Jared it every 2 days and then almost everyday for this last week.
 

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A couple thoughts.

Two main things at this stage.
1. Prune to create taper and bifurcations
2. Bend the straight trunk. Below the foliage. Will need at least one low. Second bend can be created simply by pruning. Any bend will need double wire side by side. (Likely two 3.5 aluminum wires. Start with tighter spacing just at the media level, then increase to 45 degrees.). Get what you can without breaking the trunk. Then come back in 3 weeks and get a bit more. Be sure to support each side of the bend.

In spring if all is well the nebari should get started. Will need to gently root wash and position the roots to create a 360 nebari. Be sure to moss up well once repotted.

This thread can help you.

Cheers
DSD sends
 
Full strength fish emulsion fertilizer every two days seems like a lot. First off all, fertilizer dosage depends on the salt already in your (tap) water. Fertilizer added to tap water can be double strength when compared to the same dose of fertilizer added to rain water. Second, if you are going to use liquid fertilizer, I would use a chemical fertilizer. One that includes chelated metal ions like Fe2+.

It seems to do a bit better though. Fertilizer also depends on your soil or substrate, and your seems to be in substrate. Which likely means a very low dose regular fertilizer is probably good. But maybe it looks better now mostly because it gets more water?
I have some very good growing azaleas in horticulture pods and they can go limp in just 1 windy day because of a lack of water. I feel some people where that may have under-watered their azalea must have seen limp growth. But when I ask, they often say 'no'. I wonder if people recognize it properly when the turgor pressure of the leaves is too low.
 
A couple thoughts.

Two main things at this stage.
1. Prune to create taper and bifurcations
2. Bend the straight trunk. Below the foliage. Will need at least one low. Second bend can be created simply by pruning. Any bend will need double wire side by side. (Likely two 3.5 aluminum wires. Start with tighter spacing just at the media level, then increase to 45 degrees.). Get what you can without breaking the trunk. Then come back in 3 weeks and get a bit more. Be sure to support each side of the bend.

In spring if all is well the nebari should get started. Will need to gently root wash and position the roots to create a 360 nebari. Be sure to moss up well once repotted.

This thread can help you.

Cheers
DSD sends
Do I need to prune again even tho I did it back in June?
 
Full strength fish emulsion fertilizer every two days seems like a lot. First off all, fertilizer dosage depends on the salt already in your (tap) water. Fertilizer added to tap water can be double strength when compared to the same dose of fertilizer added to rain water. Second, if you are going to use liquid fertilizer, I would use a chemical fertilizer. One that includes chelated metal ions like Fe2+.

It seems to do a bit better though. Fertilizer also depends on your soil or substrate, and your seems to be in substrate. Which likely means a very low dose regular fertilizer is probably good. But maybe it looks better now mostly because it gets more water?
I have some very good growing azaleas in horticulture pods and they can go limp in just 1 windy day because of a lack of water. I feel some people where that may have under-watered their azalea must have seen limp growth. But when I ask, they often say 'no'. I wonder if people recognize it properly when the turgor pressure of the leaves is too low.
 
I pretty much used rain water with the fish fertilizer, but that is good to know since I have started using tap recently from the lack of rain. Watering wise, I have been really consistent in the amount of water it gets/when it needs it. I did already decide to switch to miracid after I use to fish fertilizer up. I appreciate the advice, still trying to learn all the ins and outs of how to make this flourish. It is my first one and the one I’ve spent the most time on so I am kind of attached to it
 
Do I need to prune again even tho I did it back in June?

It is a future cast of work to consider.

Doing it now depends on one’s need to see flowers. We pruned up to a week ago on plants we don’t care about seeing flowers. Will be doing only light pruning from here on, getting ready for winter.

In Alabama one can likely still prune. But if done, likely no flowers.

Cheers
DSD sends
 
OK good to know, not worried about flowers on this one for the near future, just want to set it up for success
 
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