Creating Azalea bonsai from nursery stock

[@cheffjeffB]

Nice clear instructions. I am comfortable with the drastic pruning but what I find is often unstated in most bonsai videos is how the identify that basic structure and what to keep of it. This is important in Step 1 and throughout the life of the plant. It is difficult to describe this most artistic and aesthetic aspect of bonsai but it would be very informative to try. Just a suggestion, thanks for the vid. They just got some new azalea stock at a place near me (inexpensive, too) so I plan to use your suggestions today!

[@wildboystv3013]

go to bonsai mirai and sign up for mirai live, youll find all the answers there and more.

[@fificorina]

You are almost left with nothing :) Some growers will think this is brutal but I followed your advice and I have great result with two of my plants, I will post that video soon. Thank you Chris! And I forgot, I love this plant, the flowers are so dark red and blooms so early in the spring.

[@growingthings6232]

fifi corina hey Corina how are you doing its so nice to hear from you ! Yea I know this seems brutal but its really ok these plants will be ok

[@davidbercher9927]

Thanks for the video! Very helpful for a beginner like me.

[@growingthings6232]

Your welcome

[@malagabee]

Hope it survives. Pretty drastic cuts for sure. I would have left some growth up top until I'm sure its actively growing again

[@growingthings6232]

malagabee Thank you it is activley growing now as long as the squirrels leave it alone

[@drewmadenew3000]

I just bought two new Azaleas. I was looking for inspiration when I found you. Not what I was looking for exactly, but I am going to do ONE like this and experiment. The other I will do far less drastic, but I just want something to work with Now. But I'm excited to have a very long term project! I'm pretty new to Bonsai. I just picked up a Chinese elm, and can't wait to see it develop!

[@growingthings6232]

Christopher Snider thank you for watching and good luck with your bonsai trees!

[@juniperpashoo]

I was honestly so glad when you took out the saw and started hacking away a huge chunk of the rootball. I've been doing that when I start on new stock just to save time, and I was never sure if it was 'good' to do, just that it worked. Seeing someone else do it is a huge relief.

[@juniperpashoo]

This video also helps because I've been very conservative with how much rootmass and branches I save, because I've been worried about killing my azaleas. Getting to dig in this hard means I can save a lot more time and get my ideas shaped out much faster.

[@frankwilson7146]

I am fairly new to bonsai and I have some azaleas I want to use. I am very glad I came across your video. it was exactly what I needed to see. I was very scared of such drastic cutting, it's bad enough just reducing root balls for bonsai. ( It's always like, "God please help me not to kill this plant", lol.) thank you for the info.

[@growingthings6232]

thank you Im glad you were able to take information form this video. Its always difficult when starting being hesitant to cut and drastically prune. Keep me posted on your success would love to know!

[@frankwilson7146]

+Growing Things, I used this video and that John guys video, the one where he draws it all out. I did four plants right around the time I posted above, so a month and a half-ish? one has twelve or fifteen little buds poking out, but the other three look marvelous. you can barely see the tips of the cuts I had made do to the new foliage growth. I bought one more recently and want to know if it's too late in the season to do this process? (I live in Ohio and it is beginning to cool off for the year) thanks again

[@growingthings6232]

Frank im glad things worked out with the Azaelas ! Thats great to here and it is such an accomplishment to see them take off!!! I would not do a severe pruning this time if year especially given your growing zone.

[@frankwilson7146]

+Growing Things would early spring be a good time to do the hard cut back, before the buds begin to show? just after they show, maybe?

[@growingthings6232]

after flowering

[@jimmymagee7433]

I love johns video on this and having been trying to find someone else trying this again, thanks for the video i love it I've been trying it myself as well.

[@growingthings6232]

Jimmy Magee no problem Jim yeah I was really inspired by Johns Video so I wanted to try it my self

[@raina2311]

Can we grow the cuttings using rooting hormone?

[@growingthings6232]

Yes however they take quite awhile to root. Best to start cuttings in late spring early summer right after flowering

[@raina2311]

@@growingthings6232 thank you so much for your reply. i just got a pot with a decent trunk from home Depot this morning. Can't wait to see how this one is going to turn out! Love the tip on cutting the pot in half btw

[@growingthings6232]

@@raina2311 good luck with it ! The one in the video died a while ago ...a looooong time ago. I have a newer one not as thick but I think will live alot longer

[@jeffwatts4264]

Great video, what time of year would you do this?

[@growingthings6232]

I was doing it at the wrong time , during the plants blooming period. You would want to it after its done blooming

[@ayeshanoor2182]

please sir make an update video on this bonsai

[@bidbaron5496]

Good video. Only recommendation is to dig down and find the top of the surface roots before cutting to bottom of the root ball off.

[@growingthings6232]

Bid Baron thanks Im just trying to get to start growing into a smaller pot then I will really work on roots later after it is established in a smaller pot

[@bsfbestshortfilmsonyoutube]

Hi how long after this hard cutting does it take to flower again ? I had one for 3 years. I had to go away and left it too long. all the leaves dried and crumbled. I cut it back the same as you did. wondering how long before it flowers again ?

[@growingthings6232]

I didn't have this plant long enough after I did plant it in a bonsai pot. I moved into a condo & it was chewed by a squirrel.

[@KrookedOrchids]

Awesome!!!!!! Very cool ! I will have to try this looks doable for me. I'll probably say sorry to the plant as I destroy it lol Good director lol

[@growingthings6232]

KrookedOrchids don't say sorry to the plant it will be okay and you reduce the amount of foliage the plant needs and has to sustain

[@21gonza21]

Water hose will excavate the roots with minimal damage

[@johnboyles4101]

good option to keep in mind especially if root bound or in heavy soil...

[@neilhamilton2621]

Do they like loads of water when they been butchered

[@growingthings6232]

It moistened the soil bone dry soil will cause more root die back

[@PapaOsmubal.OscarBalajadia]

Any update on this tree since it was pruned 3 years ago?

[@jkdortch2308]

i just did one a month ago or so.its now growing alittle

[@teddykgb89]

It died

[@colorguppies]

What do you think about leaving a sacrafice branch.

[@desertplantsofavalon]

Such a FANTASTIC and informative vid :-) thanks so much for sharing Chris and have a MEGA day ahead XXXXX

[@growingthings6232]

heartfullofhappiness thanks Lyn I appreciate it and start your succulent bonsai!

[@johnhetherington1253]

How long before new growth appearing?

[@growingthings6232]

Hey John thanks for watching yea I took the idea from your video series on azaleas.

[@hauweiguy9587]

Very interesting, thanks for the video.

[@JohnGeanangelTIS]

looks familiar:)

[@LizMcNamara47]

John Geanangel at least he gave you the credit!

[@ninadillard5212]

Could you maybe move the camera so you don't get in the way of the shot and reduce the shadow issue? Thanks for the bus though. I've been thinking about making a bonsai but not sure. I'd have to move some of my orchids and violets. I hate apartment living sometimes;-)

[@growingthings6232]

Nina Dillard thanks for watching Nina I apologize for the bad camera angles , ill try it at a different angle next time. I will probably be feeling your pain soon enough

[@frankpagan1294]

What time of year do you do this?

[@growingthings6232]

Spring right after flowering is done. I did it too early

[@thaiquocviet2581]

So so beautiful, thanks for sharing, waiting for new videos, I also subscribed ur channel, have fun, from Vietnam.

[@SolidGoldShows]

Does this method work with Rhododendron as well?

[@growingthings6232]

I would think it would especially smaller leaf varieties

[@kolapyellow7631]

Can u soak that root ball in water and wash it off ??

[@growingthings6232]

Yes you can wash the roots off if you like

[@mikecipriani7792]

So I cut back 5 plants back hard, and so far no budback what so ever.

[@growingthings6232]

How long have you waited for them to back bud? Did you leave them in their original pots or transplanted them into bonsai pots?

[@mikecipriani7792]

@@growingthings6232 I did cut the root down and put them in flower pots, not bonsai pots. One I didn't cut back as far and left it in the original plastic pot. I do see some bud back on it. Thanks for the reply.

[@growingthings6232]

Mike thanks for checking in again. Its not an exact science but it will work eventually. Let me know how things progress

[@SolidGoldShows]

Any updates?

[@stainedangle70]

what is the best months to do a drastic prune on Azaleas?

[@growingthings6232]

+Jerry White Hey Jerry thanks for the comment , the best time I have found to Prune them is after they are done flowering that's when they are growing hard and producing branches and leaves

[@stainedangle70]

Thanks I keep killing um .

[@keune82]

can you immediately repot and root prune at that time? or is it better to do the hard branch pruning and let it continue to grow in its container until early next spring?

[@growingthings6232]

When I was watching Jons videos to reference what I was doing he was pruning and repotting into a training pot, I did this as well and the tree did well and reduced nicely ..that is until a squirrel ate it during a cold spell last year Ill link to his videos if you would like?

[@growingthings6232]

heres the link to his channel and videos all the Azalea videos are catergorized

[@bradb.4570]

Any update on if it lived or not haha

[@growingthings6232]

This plant died I moved to an apartment with no good lighting.

[@jsmith3980]

wow..severe pruning!

[@growingthings6232]

Yeah it is sever but the results are worth it

[@jsmith3980]

@@growingthings6232 Ok good to know,thanks.

[@fredgarvin4482]

why didnt you just say cut off every single branch?

[@growingthings6232]

I would have but as you can see I didn't cut off all the branches I did leave some branches on although cut short but not off. I wanted to leave some for new branch growth

[@fredgarvin4482]

@@growingthings6232 thanks for reply. i am not knowledgeable enough to see the difference at first. is this how normal trees are miniaturized to make bonsai? i dont quite get the beginning process.

[@growingthings6232]

@@fredgarvin4482 the simplest way to explain it is constant and calculated pruning both root and branch. The more you prune the tree will compensate by growing new growth. Over time the tree stays small.

[@fredgarvin4482]

@@growingthings6232 ok. and then makes miniature leaves and etc.

[@fredgarvin4482]

for example a miniature or bonsai apple tree seeds wouldnt make another small tree if planted. in theory it would make full size tree

[@bonsaituongda]

rất đẹp

[@growingthings6232]

cảm ơn bạn

[@mc3newsmcocconcierge504]

What was your aftercare for the weeks following the hard prune?

[@growingthings6232]

MC3 News MCOC Concierge I keep them in a shady spot and keep them moist for a few weeks then gradually move them into brighter sun light

[@mc3newsmcocconcierge504]

Growing Things got it. Digging up 8-10 15 year old azaleas I've had in the front yard. I've only been able maintain 60-70% of the azaleas I've made in the past unfortunately.

[@neilhamilton2621]

Sweeney Todd

[@growingthings6232]

Snip snip

[@dianasim1876]

My azalea leave dropping.why go dead

[@growingthings6232]

Diana Sim check the root system that is usually where issues start. If they are rotting maybe the potting mix is staying too too wet

[@growingthings6232]

[@CarmenSanchez-mu9cz]

me gustaría que los vídeos fueran en español

[@wildboystv3013]

Bonsai

[@GardeningatDouentza]

A bit brutal for my liking!

[@growingthings6232]

Gardening at Douentza ehhh not really the plant will be okay Rachel , you should try it

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Growing Things I don't think bonsai is for me - too labour intensive. I have enough problems keeping my topiary clipped!

[@growingthings6232]

depends on what plant you choose to work on lol

[@Neonrollerskates]

I love azaleas. ... not.

[@growingthings6232]

valerie tow well Missy Pants don't buy them

[@xadam2dudex]

You should have gotten out in the sun a little more to be out of the shadows and centered the video on the plant all we see is the edge of what you are doing

[@growingthings6232]

xadam2dudex thank you

[@deshawnbrownley4487]

Any updates?

[@growingthings6232]

I do not have any of these trees anymore. I moved twice since this video was made. I am working on new trees as of recent.

[@deshawnbrownley4487]

@@growingthings6232 damn man I'm sorry. Atleast your starting new! Its always nice to have something to work on