Hello, I am fairly new to both Bonsai and this list - but have a
burning question....

I have a nursery stock Satsuki Azalea that was given to me.

It is very over grown and has very long branches that exceed 10 inches
in length and is very scarcely grown near the trunk. This week-end I
hope to root prune and then transfer into a smaller pot to pre-train
for a bonsai pot down the road.

My question is this - can I safely cut back all the major branches to
the trunk? I have read in several books that this will work for some
species of trees, but no specific mention of Satsuki (the concept
reminds me of coppicing). I also understand that some azalea will
re-grow new branches from old wood -ie the trunk? If I can proceed
with this process - should I do it now? wait until the fall or next
spring? proceed over two years? My objective is to refocus branch
growth closer to the trunk and get away from the "leggy look" that it
currently has.

I live in SW Ontario - just near to London Ontario and we have had a
very wet and cool spring. The tree itself is just past flowering and I
have not begun fertilizing in anticipation of the root trimming. I am
guessing that the tree is four or five years old - but being unfamiliar
with azalea growth patterns this is only a guess.

Any advice is greatly appreciated - all the best,

David Goode - Strathroy, Ont. -

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In a message dated 5/28/2004 12:30:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes:

My question is this - can I safely cut back all the major branches to
the trunk? I have read in several books that this will work for some
species of trees, but no specific mention of Satsuki (the concept
reminds me of coppicing). I also understand that some azalea will
re-grow new branches from old wood -ie the trunk? If I can proceed
with this process - should I do it now? wait until the fall or next
spring? proceed over two years? My objective is to refocus branch
growth closer to the trunk and get away from the "leggy look" that it
currently has.

Since I live a long distance south of you with a very different
climate, I hesitate to reply, BUT.
I think I would work the plant back over a few seasons. Azaleas pruned
heavily here in Jan. or Feb. will be lush and blooming next fall. BUT.
The best time to prune Azaleas is as soon as they stop blooming. If
this plant is not blooming for you I would look at other plants in the area.
I think in your climate I would take everything back by half and wait
for bud break.
In my experience Satsuki will bud from a stump if not overwatered.

Billy on the Florida Space Coast
BSF Annual Convention July 1 - 4, 2005 Radisson Hotel, Cape Canaveral,
Florida
Workshops with Jerry Meislek of Whitefish, Montana and Chase Rosade of New
Hope, PA.

************************************************** ******************************
++++Sponsored, in part, by John Quinn++++
************************************************** ******************************
-- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ --
+++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++