Unwanted Azalea Cuttings?

[Dan W.]

Azalea growers,

If anyone has extra cuttings this spring or summer would you be willing to share any of them?

I hope this isn't asking too much, and I'm not entirely sure whether or not they would survive shipping. But if any of you would be interested in working with me I'm willing to pay for shipping and possibly a small purchase price. -- I'm thinking that if they were warped in a wet paper towel, then placed in a plastic bag, then envelope?...they just might survive the trip... Let me know what you think?

I have a couple of pink flowering varieties and am looking mostly for some of the striped, speckled or multi colored varieties.

Thanks for your time. And I look forward to hearing from you all

 

[Harunobu]

Unrooted cuttings can be transported across the world. I don't know what exactly the best method is. Putting them in a ziplock bag seems to work. Packing the ends in sphagnum moss and covering it with plastic seems to work. The leaves themselves shouldn't be wet or they will rot.

The postage rollers will flatten them if there is not enough bubble wrap. Flattening them won't kill them, but be aware that those rollers can do some damage.

I think your state will have harsh winters for evergreen azalea. The multicoloured ones usually have satsuki genes and are less hardy. You can buy mature plants in the southern and coastal areas. You have Nuccio's, Sonoma and Monrovia in California, Rarefind in New Jersey.

Im in Europe and all my plants are small so I can't help you atm.

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks for the ideas on shipping Harunobu. And I agree the winters here are too harsh for satsukis. I use an unheated garage and I'm building cold frames and a greenhouse to help controll temperature/humidity issues here in WY. The ones I have now are satsuki's, and I'm still learning how to meet their needs properly.

Thanks again for the suggestions

 

[Ang3lfir3]

Thanks for the ideas on shipping Harunobu. And I agree the winters here are too harsh for satsukis. I use an unheated garage and I'm building cold frames and a greenhouse to help controll temperature/humidity issues here in WY. The ones I have now are satsuki's, and I'm still learning how to meet their needs properly.

Thanks again for the suggestions

Dan.... WOW satsuki in WY.... that's kinda crazy.... you have the heat they will enjoy (too much really) but they also need humidity (something you don't have without special care ... [reminds me that no one knows what a swamp cooler is up here...] ) they are really fickle species and I am not sure you will have the success you really want... they take many years in the ground to gain any real size and that is simply something you can't do.

I'll see what we can do if I remember when we get into the satsuki's this year (Vic directs ... I just do as I am told) we have several varieties.

 

[Harunobu]

There's satsuki type azalea that were hybridized in California, Maryland and New Jersey. Maybe they will do better in your continental climate. The Japanese satsuki are of course very accustomed to their temperate climate.

There's also some multicoloured azalea that aren't related to satsuki. Western hybridizers and those hybridizing for landscape plants saw sporting as a flaw and selected against that.
'Al's Picotee' is a multicoloured azalea I know does well in continental places even in Canada. But that's generally around the Great Lakes,I think.
Are the usual evergreen azalea grown in your area? Do garden nurseries carry them?

 

[Ang3lfir3]

I wouldn't call WY continental US... its the Rockies... and temperature in the winter is usually measure in the single digits and teens... and usually as a measure of how far below zero the temperature is (I've been out when it was -20F and 40mph winds and that day was nothing special)

I don't believe anyone is growing azalea there at all... I don't remember ever seeing one until I moved to the Midwest

I'll let Dan respond to give us the real low down but I am pretty sure no one is growing them...

There's satsuki type azalea that were hybridized in California, Maryland and New Jersey. Maybe they will do better in your continental climate. The Japanese satsuki are of course very accustomed to their temperate climate.

There's also some multicoloured azalea that aren't related to satsuki. Western hybridizers and those hybridizing for landscape plants saw sporting as a flaw and selected against that.
'Al's Picotee' is a multicoloured azalea I know does well in continental places even in Canada. But that's generally around the Great Lakes,I think.
Are the usual evergreen azalea grown in your area? Do garden nurseries carry them?

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks guys for your input. You are correct...NoOne is growing azaleas in WY. Well not until recently. I'm working on ways to solve the issues of keeping some here as bonsai that you've mentioned. It's certainly not easy but I'm determined to give it my best shot.

I have one cutting that has been developing over the past couple of years and one nicer one that is new this year.

Development in the ground is not an option as you pointed out; so I plan to use boxes or styrofoam crates to attempt developing larger trunks as many of the Japanese do.

BTW, there is one strain of azaleas developed in Minnesota that is hardy here (I think it's the "lights" series). The humidity is still an issue though and the leaves have been quite large on everything I've seen.

Temps were much warmer this winter...but if we don't get significant rain I'm afraid it will get even drier here.

 

[edprocoat]

It would seem easier to buy them online as small starters in the little peat pots.

ed

 

[Dan W.]

That's true Ed, but all of the starters I've seen online are about $15-30 plus shipping for a small twig. I'd rather put my money toward nicer trees, and stay as cheap as possible for starter material to play with. Besides...it's fun to start some things out from the very beginning

 

[Harunobu]

Those 'Lights' azalea are decidious. It seems that you should get some other species for bonsai and get those for the flowers. Or you'll have to invest as much in greenhouse stuff as orchid enthusiasts in temperate climates have to.

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks Harunobu, I have plenty of other species being used for bonsai. Much of what I have is hardy in WY. I'm just wanting to play with the satsuki's. If I can play with some cheap cuttings that someone else may have been throwing away anyway then nobody is really out anything. And I have some ideas that may keep me from having to invest so much in greenhouse supplies. I'll be sure to post what I figure out.

 

[Harunobu]

Sure, no harm in that. When you see satsuki type flowers on the net, it's hard not to be charmed by them.

 

[Dan W.]

Nor in person I've seen the specimens at Brussels in full bloom...stunning!

 

[Ang3lfir3]

just to brighten your day..... this is Vic's Kaho (one of seven different satsukis we have) ... and one of the ones any cuttings we have this summer will come from ...

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks! I actually just saw this on your blog (which I'm really enjoying BTW). This is an absolutely gorgeous specimen. Very elegant...especially with those two small dashes of color

 

[Ang3lfir3]

glad you are enjoying it as much as we enjoy creating it .... ... looks like this year will be a good one for blooms all around... tho i believe that particular tree is getting a break this year... (an important task in maintaining their health as bonsai)

 

[Dan W.]

Thanks for the tip I really like the small dead branch to the bottom left as well. It adds subtle character to a very elegant tree.

 

[Joedes3]

All I can say is WOW!!!!! Thanks for posting that great picture.