azalea care

i got this azalea in a trade and was wondering how do you properly care for an azalea. i got the azalea book from stone lantern but just wanted to know how everyone else cares for there azalea

Maybe we could help you better if we had a little more info to go on.  So, first question back at you:  WHERE in the USA are you - it makes a difference?

Second question:  can we have some dimensions please of the tree?

Third question:  do you have any idea from the person you got it from of what species it is?

Last question:  do you have access to an outdoor growing area?

And just so we're not insulting your existing knowledge and expertise, maybe you could let us know if you already grow bonsai or if this is a recent hobby.

Thanks

Good questions. One more: WHICH "azalea book?"

One thing I have learned is you must thin them after they flower or you will get interior dieback from lack of light. That one looks like it has already been done this year. The whirls of new shoots need to be thinned to just two side by side shouts. It won't look as full or nice after its done, but this needs to be done every year so that you get interior growth and the shoots don't become leggy. I have read it described as you need to keep azalea growth young. So what I have seen done and what I have done is after they flower hedge them back into shape. This also makes flower removal easier. then you need to go through and thin the whirls back to two side by side shoots. Like I said it will look like you really took a lot off but this needs to be done to facilitate interior growth. The other question the others asked will also go along way in helping answer your questions.

I live in Connecticut and as for the trees measurements is had a 8 inch truck and is 16 inches tall. I actually don't know what kind of azalea it is so I was planning on letting one flower bud flower cause I was told that letting the azalea flower every year isn't the best for the tree you let the tree flower every thrid year which make sense to me energy wise. Yes I grow the tree outside with all my other bonsai I just don't experience with azaleas

To save on flowing energy you could also reduce all the buds to just a few so at least you could at least see the flowers. Nice. looking tree by the way. I too am just beginning my azelea adventure. I spent a couple of years watching and reading everything about them that I could. Lots of you tube Videos on pruning them. Here is a two parter from Peter warren I found helpful.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VDLVsTf4buE


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UqJISNk0R3Q