Bunjin's 2020-2025 Azalea Contest Entry

[bunjin]

Sorry I am a little late posting this. The cultivar is Gumpo White. Purchased August '20. It has one branch with very small foliage. Maybe it is a reversion to a parent? It was repotted in Feb. '21 along with some branch reduction and wiring. I am hoping to achieve a cascade style. I will not do any more trimming until it recovers and has a solid root ball. Normally I would start with a long whip, but nursery plants with a long thin trunk are very rare to find.

 

[penumbra]

The dwarf branch is awitches broom. I have seen them many times on azalea. Tried to root them a couple times without luck.

 

[bunjin]

The dwarf branch is awitches broom. I have seen them many times on azalea. Tried to root them a couple times without luck.

Thanks for the comment. I have not seen this on an azalea before. It will be pruned off when I begin shaping the upper apex.

 

[penumbra]

Thanks for the comment. I have not seen this on an azalea before. It will be pruned off when I begin shaping the upper apex.

If I had they plant in my possession, as you do, I would try to air layer it. The times I ran across witches brooms on azaleas I was not the owner of the plants and could only hope cuttings would take. Twice I tried and twice I failed but the timing was terrible as it was springtime.

 

[bunjin]

If I had they plant in my possession, as you do, I would try to air layer it. The times I ran across witches brooms on azaleas I was not the owner of the plants and could only hope cuttings would take. Twice I tried and twice I failed but the timing was terrible as it was springtime.

I will try to air layer it after I do some more pruning. I am guessing it would not work as a cutting.

 

[penumbra]

I am guessing it would not work as a cutting.

Probably not. Late summer is when azaleas are normally rooted.

 

[Pitoon]

Spring is here and your azalea could be blooming (depending on your location) or starting to leaf out with this season’s flush……it’s time for updates!

I would also like to add at this time we have 3 prizes to award. Many thanks to @Forsoothe! and @Deep Sea Diver for donating. I am also donating a prize as well.

If you are no longer interested in continuing in the Azalea Contest, please let me know so we can close your thread, thanks.

 

[stu929]

Spring is here and your azalea could be blooming (depending on your location) or starting to leaf out with this season’s flush……it’s time for updates!

I would also like to add at this time we have 3 prizes to award. Many thanks to @Forsoothe! and @Deep Sea Diver for donating. I am also donating a prize as well.

If you are no longer interested in continuing in the Azalea Contest, please let me know so we can close your thread, thanks.

can one still join? I also have a gumpo white and a wakebisu I think I would like to try my hand at this. I know I'm behind, Im new to bonsai anyway.

 

[Pitoon]

can one still join? I also have a gumpo white and a wakebisu I think I would like to try my hand at this. I know I'm behind, Im new to bonsai anyway.

Sure, just follow the rules in the sticky thread and start your own thread for your entry.

 

[bunjin]

August Update: Dealing with air layering the witches broom has really slowed down progress this summer with the cascade shaping, particularly the upper crown which I am still a little undecided on what the final approach will beW. It got a little too wet for a period and the leaves on the latest. photo are a little yellow as a result. Hoping for our usual long fall in order to lengthen the lower apex.

Earlier photos from May:

 

[bunjin]

Here are the May photos - inserting photos on Bonsainut is a challenge to my patience!

 

[bunjin]

About two years ago I broke off the cascade leader while trying to bend it. Wasn't sure I could save it, but with the warm winters it is doing well and may make a decent bonsai. It probably will need another 5 years to justify putting it in a show container!