Page 50 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2016Q2

Here is a new benefit of azalea bonsai: they foster Tips for growing azaleas
love. When walking in a bonsai garden or in a simple Azalea require an acidic growing medium that is 5
nursery in the presence of a bonsai azalea, who knows on the pH scale. In our climate, good results are ob-
when love will suddenly blossom... served with the use of 40% Kanuma, 40% akadama,
Azalea are also gifted as a symbol of luck and 20% peat. This composition aims to encourage the re-
strength before an important test. tention of water, never allow azalea to dry completely;
aeration of the roots that are very fine, slow growing
and therefore subject to rot; a good balance of acidity;
intake of humic acids.
Repot more often than the 4-5 year period for other
plants, and totally bare root every 7-8 years. The ide-
al period is immediately after flowering (usually in
June), however, in our climate we have observed excel-
lent results even in November, exploiting the dormant
period of the tree.
For watering, rainwater is essential because they
do not tolerate continuous watering with hardwater
(water with dissolved minerals such as lime, calcium
and iron), which causes a slow but steady and inexo-
rable decline of the plant resulting in branches drying
and dying; watering should be well balanced, with no
stagnation but also without ever allowing the root ball
to dry out completely.
NPK fertilization must be carried out according to
the fertilizing curve, never exceeded; using balanced
fertilizers, avoiding periods pre-flowering.
Exposure must be that of full sun to encourage
flowering and then semi-shade during the flowering
period.

Satzuki Kaho; white-
magenta-pink flowers with
possible streaks of various
colors.

48 | BCI | April/May/June 2016