| Azalea bonsai are some of the more common | | | | maintain appropriate space for full root |
| bonsai adaptations that were introduced when | | | | development and you should monitor the soil to |
| bonsai was first imported over from China to | | | | ensure the slightly higher acidity level preferred by |
| Japan. It is one of the more beautiful plants to | | | | the azalea. PH balance needs to be 4.5 to 5.5. It is |
| adapted to bonsai style gardening. The Azalea | | | | best to use a soil specifically designed for Azaleas. |
| bonsai is a member of the genus Rhododendron. | | | | Repotting should be undertaken in spring after the |
| This simply indicates that the Azalea bonsai is an | | | | flowers have died. Repotting is required annually |
| evergreen that adapts itself to a shrub type | | | | for the first couple of years, and every two or |
| formation. Small shrubs typically grow to less than | | | | three years for more mature azalea bonsai. |
| 6 feet in height. The Azalea Rhododendron | | | | Fertilize your azalea at about every other week in |
| actually can be divided into between 500-900 | | | | the spring time until flowering diminishes. |
| species. Since they display very large beautiful | | | | Thereafter, monthly feedings will satisfy nutrition |
| flowers they present a very stunning and elegant | | | | requirements. You should use an acid based |
| style of bonsai plant. This is the primary reason | | | | fertilizer such as you would find available by |
| that the Azalea bonsai has become very popular | | | | Miracle Gro. In the late summer or early fall, |
| with Bonsai gardeners. | | | | reduce nitrogen from the fertilizer mixture and |
| Care of the Azalea Bonsai | | | | begin increasing the amounts of phosphorus and |
| It is critical to peak condition that you avoid | | | | potassium. This will assist your azalea bonsai to |
| exposing this plant to direct sun during the spring | | | | set buds and blossoms for next season. |
| and summer months. This plant will reward for | | | | Also, if you repot with an amended, peat based |
| your efforts on being placed in an area of filtered | | | | soil in spring you may not be required to fertilize |
| or indirect sun light. The plant does not need to be | | | | until autumn. It is recommended that you |
| brought indoors during the winter and in fact can | | | | discontinue fertilizing your azalea bonsai during the |
| perform well outdoors even in winter climates | | | | hottest months of the summer in order guard |
| although it will require some protection from | | | | against burning your plants. |
| severe conditions. An outdoor greenhouse can | | | | Pruning should be practiced in late summer taking |
| provide beautiful results. | | | | care to seal significant wounds. This plant will |
| For those who want to keep their bonsai indoors | | | | produce shoots from old wood. These often |
| year-round, the azalea is quite suitable to that | | | | occur in clumps of 5 or 6. Proper pruning will |
| application. A cool window and plenty of light is | | | | reduce the number of new shoots to one or two. |
| considered optimum for keeping an azalea indoors | | | | The number of leaves on these new shoots |
| during the winter months as is the necessity for | | | | should also be reduced. This will ensure that these |
| frequent misting and maintain a higher level of | | | | newly formed branches will receive more that |
| humidity. | | | | adequate nutrition and light to develop in to |
| When considering watering options you will find | | | | strong, healthy new branches. |
| that the plants respond very well to rainwater. | | | | The weakest trait may be that the branches are |
| Collection of rainwater to a storage container will | | | | relatively brittle and the bark thin and tender. For |
| reward you with healthier plants. The azalea | | | | this reason, great care must be taken when |
| bonsai plant will deteriorate quickly if the roots are | | | | wiring and shaping branches. Softer aluminum wire |
| allowed to dry out so moisture should be | | | | is recommended, accompanied by the liberal use |
| maintained in the soil at all times. | | | | of such as raffia to protect the delicate surfaces. |
| You will benefit from repotting as required to | | | | |