Azalea Bonsai Care

Azalea Bonsai Care
By Kevin J. Riley

The azalea bonsai tree is not actually a tree, but a shrub. The thick base of the plant makes it a good candidate for a bonsai because it resembles a miniature full grown tree trunk. These bonsai usually only flower once a year but their blossoms can very colorful and beautiful. The care azaleas require is minimal and can be maintained with a little effort.

The azalea bonsai do not care for direct sunlight and it is preferable to place the bonsai in an area that has some indirect light. Azalea bonsai require water twice a day and should be kept in a container that allows proper drainage. Azaleas do not care for a damp or wet soil and a mix of sand, gravel, and clay should be used when potting. Take care to ensure the holes in the bottom of the container are lined with screen to prevent the loose soil from draining out.

Azalea bonsai should have their flowers and leaves removed right after they die to promote proper health and growth. Care should be taken when pruning to remove only the new growth every year after they flower and again in the middle of summer when new sprouts appear. Azalea bonsai care for an acidic soil and should be fertilized every 6 weeks.

The roots of the azalea bonsai should be inspected once a year and trimmed to keep the root ball the same size as the container. The azalea bonsai needs to be repotted every 3 to 5 years when more than 1/5 of the root ball would need to be trimmed to fit the container. Care should be taken when repotting to insure all air pockets are filled with soil.

Proper care of the azalea bonsai for the winter is to keep the plant out of the harsh elements of snow and ice but the azalea should be allowed to go dormant. An unheated room with a little sunlight would be a good place to care for the the plant and should be watered once a week to ensure proper azalea bonsai care.

Kevin J. Riley has studied and observed the art of bonsai for 20 years with his father James J. Riley. He is the host of the website http://www.theartofbonsaitrees.com

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