Rhododendron complexum as bonsai

[mkg]

Hello,
While picking up cuttings of various azaleas yesterday I noticed a plant labeled "Rhododendron Complexum". I liked the leaves shape and color and took few cuttings to try to make them root.
Later I start looking around for posts about growing Complexum as a bonsai and coudn't find anything. Has any of you grown Complexum ?


At the forefront with tiny dark leaves

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Looks like a likely candidate… Chinese rhody.

We have several small leaved rhododendron in the collection and in the nursery.

These act similar to azaleas. Shouldn’t be an issue with bonsai. The cut point will be the growth habits of this particular species, response to pruning (usually not an issue) and the quantity and suitability of its flowers.

Almost all will back bud fine. Yet some just don’t like to back bud in the older growing areas.

Here’s one we have been testing as a cascade for three years. Bends well, flowers are nice. Good candidate.


Another testing for a couple years…. Note neither of these are root washed yet… testing growth characteristics. Next year the first one will be root washed if time permits.

This particular one has spindly, floppy young shoots. Like a Matsunami Satsuki type azalea, but worse. Dunno if it’s work the work. If one looks closely back buds incredibly well though.



The two following images are on ones in the landscape that have been frequently crafted into bonsai by other hobbyists I know.



Hope this helps.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[mkg]

It does, thank you for these informations. It's also good news as I really like the leaves shape of my cuttings, they look more to these on the third picture, they also make me think of Rosemary.
I hope they will root. Thank you

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Sure thing!

Shouldn’t be an issue. Also, these cuttings will grow faster the buds are carefully removed.

But, alas, they also will not bloom next year.

Good Luck
DSD sends