The Azalea (Rhododendron) is a popular Bonsai amongst Bonsai enthusiasts due to its unique foliage. This beautiful Bonsai has small glossy heart-shaped leaves attached to thick stems. The spectacular flowers that grow during May-June are what catch the eye.
These flowers come in different shapes, sizes, and colours. Our Kazan Azaleas bloom gorgeous salmon-pink flowers, and the Cherry Drop Azaleas have deep red flowers. Fashion Azaleas are known for their bright red colour and small foliage and the Rohan Azalea produces stunning pink flowers and has small foliage.
The Azalea is an outdoor species and will do best when left outdoors as soon as the temperature rises above 10° celsius during the day consistently. Azaleas can withstand temperatures as low as 1-2° at night, as long as the temperature does not drop below 0° for an extended period.
The Azalea thrives in the sunny weather, but it is best to provide some shade during that mid-day scorching summer sun. The Azalea should be protected from the rain and the scorching hot sun during the blooming season to make the flowers last longer.
Watering: this Bonsai does not like to be dried out but also does not enjoy permanent wetness. Because of this, it is necessary to check the moisture of the soil before watering.
Winter: The Azalea is an evergreen, meaning that it will not lose its leaves but will go dormant during the winter months. Please see our Winter in Canada for bonsai page for further instructions.
Pruning: It withstands intense pruning and is basal-dominant, meaning that the lower branches grow more robust than, the weaker top; therefore, pruning of the branches is more complicated from the bottom than from the top. The Azalea even produces new shoots from branches that have no visible leaves left.
Repotting: it is recommended to be repotted every 2 years in the Spring or after flowering.
BABY: 6"-12" tall, comes in a 4" grower's pot.
YOUNG: 12" - 14" tall, comes in a 6" grower's pot.
MATURE: 14" - 18" tall, comes with a medium ceramic 8inch pot.
Soil (Substrate)
Bonsai soils are usually a mixture of organic potting compost (Pine Bark or Forest Floor), Akadama, pumice, lava rock in varying amounts.
It is important for the soil have good water retention while also draining well, along with very good aeration. The quality of the soil directly affects the health, size and growth of your tree. One of the worst things you can do to your tree is plant it in regular garden soil. Garden soil hardens when it drys and can often lead to a disadvantage when growing a Bonsai.
Soil mixtures can be purchased here, but given their weight and cost of shipping, you can also easily make your own.
Depending on the type of Bonsai you're growing, here are the general formulas for successful mixtures.
Deciduous Tree (Leafy and looses leafs in the fall)
10% Potting Compost
Coniferous Tree (Evergreen like Juniper, Cedar)
If you are not able to check on your Bonsai's moisture levels daily, add more Akadama to the mix.
Given how these soils erode over time, repotting every 2-3 years is required.
Here are some suitable replacements if you cannot find the recommended types of soil.
One of the best and easiest ways to fertilize your Bonsai, is to add a liquid fertilizer mix when water your Bonsai's once a month during the spring/summer. If your Bonsai looses leaves in the winter there is no need to fertilize it then. If you have a coniferous tree, fertilizing the tree once in the beginning of winter and once in the middle of winter should be sufficient.
Azalea arrived looking happy and healthy and has been thriving in the garden since.
Received the 2 trees within a few days when shipped and the maple was in great shape in packaging the azalea fell out of pot and bag that in was shipped in but was in good condition and doing well, thnk you bonsai store
Shopping was very prompt. Tree was in great shape during shipping, no damage or trauma to the tree. Planted in a training pot now and acclimatizing to it's new environment. Would definitely recommend and buy again!!
I am very satisfied with the Bonsai and your service and advertise to you thank you again
Was notified when they were shipped and packed very well as they took a few extras days to get here. The arrived and repotted them and 21 days later still good and new growth on them. Thanks id be interested in the cutting available again and would purchase again. Nice Trees and cant wait till they mature
