satsuki azalea

Satsuki azaleas have a diversity of flower forms and color patterns with multiple patterns often appearing on a single plant.
Satsuki bloom from May to June;
the name “Satsuki” in Japanese is reference to their blooming period,
the fifth month of the Asian lunar calendar.
They are commonly used as a subject in bonsai and many bonsai enthusiasts and shows are dedicated solely to them.
There are thousands of different varietys, but some popular ones are chinzan, kaho, gyoten, osakasuki, eikan, nikko, hakurei, hakurin, kinsai, and many more.
BonsaiSatsuki Azaleas are popular bonsai plants for many reasons.
It can take a hard pruning, the flowers are amazing, and they can be developed fast.
Since azaleas prefer to be slightly acidic, a popular soil to grow them in is kanuma.

General Information: The azalea is a member of the genus Rhododendron. It is an evergreen which in the wild grows as a small shrub (up to six feet). There are hundreds of azalea cultivars. The azalea used to be considered a separate genus from the rhododendron, but has recently been reclassified.

The cultivar that is most commonly used for bonsai is probably the Satsuki azalea. The most interesting feature of the Satsuki azalea is that it produces flowers in multiple colors on the same plant. The flowers can be white, pink or red, and can grow singly or in pairs. Satsuki azalea originated in Japan and are more dwarf than other hybrid groups. Satsuki means "fifth month" and these hybrids are late bloomers.

Lighting: Filtered, partial sun. Avoid prolonged direct exposure to spring and summer sun.

Temperature: Protect the tree (preferably under glass) in the winter, but do not bring indoors.

Watering: Keep the soil damp, as the roots can dry out easily and this is fatal to the tree. Water with rain water if possible. If using tap water that is high in lime, repot the tree every year to keep the soil acidity high.

Feeding: Feed every 20-30 days with a slow-acting organic fertilizer, from early spring to late autumn, and apply chelated iron a couple times a year. Micro nutrients should be applied routinely.

If you prefer to use chemical fertilizers, feed every two weeks using a half-strength solution of a fertilizer for acid-loving plants, such as Miracid.

Pruning and wiring: Prune branches and new shoots in late summer, using a sealing compound to seal wounds. Azalea can and will grow shoots from old wood. New shoots at the ends of branches grow in groups of five. These shoots should be reduced to two and the remaining shoots shortened to two sets of leaves. Wiring may be done from spring through summer. Use care when bending branches, as older branches are brittle. Skipping watering the day before wiring will make the branches more flexible. You may need to protect the bark by wrapping the wire with raffia.

Propagation:

Pests and diseases: Aphids, lacebugs, white fly, leafminers, spider mites, scale, stem boreres. Diseases include petal blight, leaf gall, mushroom root rot.