How to Care for a Bonsai Azalea Plant
A bonsai tree is one that has been dwarfed via pruning or pinching of the roots and trained to grow in a desired effect. Azaleas are a member of the rhododendron family and make wonderful bonsai plants. They have beautiful flowers in the spring and fall months, and some bloom during the summer. Bonsai azaleas require proper care to maintain their dwarfed status and to live for many years. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Remove dead leaves and flowers often to maintain the health of your bonsai azalea.
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Place your bonsai azalea in a spot where it will get filtered sunlight, especially avoiding the strong summer sunlight.
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Keep your bonsai azalea outdoors and protect it during the winter months by placing it under glass or in a sheltered area. If you experience extremely cold winter months in your area, bring the bonsai azalea indoors into a sunroom or other area where it can get partial sunlight.
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Keep the soil moist for your bonsai azalea; dry roots can mean the death of this plant. Rainwater is preferable to tap water in watering this type of plant.
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Use a slow-acting organic fertilizer in your bonsai plant and treat it every 20 to 30 days for the best results, according to the Bonsai-Express website. Do not fertilize your bonsai plants during the winter months.
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Prune new shoots and branches during the late summer months and use a sealing compound on the limb you pruned. New shoots grow in groups of five, and these should be trimmed to no more than two shoots.
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Use wire to train the branches during the spring and summer months. Skip watering the plant the day before you want to attach the wiring; this will make the branches more flexible. Remember that old branches will be more brittle and not as easily trained.
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Repot your bonsai azalea during the spring months after the flowers have died. Young trees may need this once a year, and older trees need to be repotted every two or three years depending on their growth.
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Check your bonsai azalea for pests and disease often and treat with products formulated for azaleas.
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References
- Photo Credit bonsaï en pot image by michelle preve from Fotolia.com
