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azalea 'cherish'

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Posted by dark_moon 6 (My Page) on
Sat, Mar 22, 08 at 22:22

i just got a potted azalea 'cherish' and i would like to bonsai it. the only problem is that it has 3 skinny trunks and not one thick one. its still a big, beautiful, and bushy plant. but i would like to have one single thick trunk.anyways, iwould like to know if it will eventually self graft, or must i go through and manually graft all the trunks together? also if anyone has anyadvice on shaping, i would really like some tips and ideas. i will hopfuly get some picture posted so you could tell what im working with. what worries me most about the shaping (aside from the trunk/s) is that the trunks are about an inch tall and it has many branches that are very spread out.

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RE: azalea 'cherish'

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Your best bet is to choose one of the trunks - pref. the one (if there's any choice at all) with some movement in it, and let it be the one you develop.

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RE: azalea 'cherish'

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Azaleas are basally dominant, so do not pinch or prune much along the crown/apex. - only as needed to maintain shape. The majority of growth will occur low and spread out. Pinch new growth off the selected trunk as it appears.

To keep it healthy, feed with an acidic fertilizer every 2 weeks during growing season. (Miracid or Ochid fertilizer)
I am not familiar with "cherish", but if it came from a florist or greenhouse you will need to verify its cold-hearty-ness. Most greenhouse hybrids are not cold hardy.

These hybrids can be overwintered indoors, but their needs are different than your "normal" houseplant. Do some research to be ready for next fall.

Is it in flower now, or recently finished?

Matt

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