Satsuki Azalea pruning question .

[steve27]

I have many different cultivars and most of them are shaped like bushers rather then Bonsai , my question is when would me the best time to do
heavy pruning. I had one bad experience years back and did a couple of big cuts on my azalea ,( not a Satsuki) and it died on me. this was done sometime in the summer.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

I have many different cultivars and most of them are shaped like bushers rather then Bonsai , my question is when would me the best time to do
heavy pruning. I had one bad experience years back and did a couple of big cuts on my azalea ,( not a Satsuki) and it died on me. this was done sometime in the summer.

Yep.

This situation occurs to many azaleas that are either not pruned, pruned improperly or pruned using only the fish tail method for years. These azaleas become long, often with sparse backbudding, sometimes with quite a number of cartwheel branch sites.

Can you please post some images of at least 3 of these azaleas so we can determine the solution more precisely? There are a couple methods that can be used separately, or together, depending upon the situation.

Hard cutbacks would be for early next year, however, there is a way to induce backbudding now that may solve the situation or help down the line.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[Glaucus]

For bonsai, if you need to ask, you should never ever do heavy pruning during the growing the season. You should do this pruning in late winter, and do it in a more conservative way, until you get good results & have more experience.

Note, heavy pruning can both mean cutting back into old wood on most branches. Or it can mean to remove a lot of growing tips to reduce the number of branches an create empty space in-between the branch shelves.

Pruning at this time of year, and you are kinda a few weeks late, is usually done to trigger a growth response to the pruning. To create more ramification and better, tighter, branch shelves.

Late summer pruning would usually be done for very strong growth that gets way out of hand. This is not often required because it requires the right management, the right climate, and maybe even the right cultivar.
Imagine your bonsai pushing several shoots that get 20 cm long and almost a pinky thick.

Just removing some twigs because they are not needed in a more of an autumn cleanup way could also be carried out at this time of year.

Unshaded woody branches will backbud without pruning at this time of the year. But that usually only happens on satsuki or satsuki-like varieties, and it requires good health. But it can be used to fill out a bonsai more.

Sounds like your first job is to select proper branch shelves and create empty space. Many bonsai hobbyists that have satsuki have trees that have very little empty space and have branch shelves that got too big.

 

[steve27]

Yep.

This situation occurs to many azaleas that are either not pruned, pruned improperly or pruned using only the fish tail method for years. These azaleas become long, often with sparse backbudding, sometimes with quite a number of cartwheel branch sites.

Can you please post some images of at least 3 of these azaleas so we can determine the solution more precisely? There are a couple methods that can be used separately, or together, depending upon the situation.

Hard cutbacks would be for early next year, however, there is a way to induce backbudding now that may solve the situation or help down the line.

Cheers
DSD sends

 

[steve27]

I know these pictures are not conducive to see the branching. I will take better pictures when I get home tonight, but most of them are bushy, but they are in good health.

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

Really nice azaleas!

That would be best. Try an overhead light or perhaps better backlight.

I think I got the gist but would like detail.

Best DSD sends

 

[steve27]

Really nice azaleas!

That would be best. Try an overhead light or perhaps better backlight.

I think I got the gist but would like detail.

Best DSD sends

will do thank you!