An interesting Azalea root cutting

I happened upon a person who had recently dug three azaleas from his yard, so of course, I snagged them... The three main plants were put quickly into the ground to minimize stress until next year or the year after. I did, however discover this interesting root (looks like it had layered itself) and I cut it off to pot up... It looks like it could be a nice shohin size tree if it makes it. I give it about a 10% chance of popping any buds this fall or ever... Am I even being optimistic with 10%? Either way, I thought it was worth the try...I love the gnarled root/trunk and there is already some interesting root flare... What do you think?

Great potential and I'd say 50-50 odds. They are a basally dominant species and I've seen them regenerate, from a snapped off trunk base, when builders carelessly placed ladders to decorate a house. Is it in a pot barely larger than the rootball, in an ericaceous mix? Keep giving it the very best care and good luck.

I potted it up in a pot with a centimeter to spare around the diameter and maybe 2 inches under the bottom of the rootball. It's in a mix of about 60/20/20 of pumice, turface and peat moss. The root ball was comparable to a rock

Hope it makes it. It'll make a cool bonsai.

Nothing yet, but I increase my chances with a late warm and humid spell in my area, which seems to be predicted for at least another week...

I suspect it will sprout, but maybe not until spring, and then the shoots will be mostly from the base and not the "trunk."

Any green on this one yet?

Disappointingly no... Especially considering the lengthy warm weather we've had in September... I'll keep it around though just in case.