Azalea hard prune?

kamivy · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 11:09 pm Post subject: Re: Azalea hard prune?

Hi there, I just wanted to add that I have a dwarf gardenia that has leaves only about 3 cms long, so don't rule out gardenia on account of the size of the leaves, there are a few different varieties. They also have a habit of growing in a bar branch/T-branch format which may explain why yours has so many. Just a thought. My dwarf gardenia grows very much like a shrub though, and still doesn't look quite like yours, I guess you'll just have to wait til it flowers!

emorrin · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject: Re: Azalea hard prune?

Kara,

Yes, it looks like I cannot rule out a gardenia either now that I looked in more depth on the Internet. Some of the pictures I saw, look allot like mine before I hard pruned.

If it is a gardenia then I should still be in the clear with it surviving. Looks like gardenias like acidic soil so I am still good here since it was re potted in kanuma. The gardenia appears to be able to take a hard prune, another plus.

When I went to the supermarket the other day, I noted the distributor on the tag of the same plant they have for sale and have since emailed them to see if they can clarify to what species this is. I will post the answer if/when I get a response from them.

In the meantime, the mystery still continues .....

TB420 · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject: Re: Azalea hard prune?

Ed, you don't have to worry about removing to much now and causing damage you can cut every branch off if you want. It wouldnt kill it if it's healthy. As for removing 9 the tree would be pretty naked, but if you have a front in mind and a bottom branch in mind then you can start from the bottom branch and remove opposing bar branches leaving 1 branch at each level.

Tom

emorrin · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 2:23 am Post subject: Re: Azalea hard prune?

Tom,

I removed the T branches on my mystery plant. I opened up Bonsai Techniques up to page 21 and went at it. Started with the first branch, then back branch, first branch, second branch, third branch and, finally front branch. That was an interesting exercise. I thought the plant would look really bare but it doesn't by following John Naka's technique. I also cut off the existing apex and have a new leader.

I am debating on whether to shorten up a couple of branches now.

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii208/emorrin/BonsaiRomeo144.jpg

Now back to what tree is this? I received a response from the distributor today and they say it is a Ficus Nitida. I think this is a mistake since: One, it doesn't bleed any white sap when cut/trimmed. All my other ficus es bleed profusely, even when pinching the buds. Two, the leaves are not as glossy and thick like a ficus. I replied back with these observations so maybe they may be able to better identify on the second go around.

emorrin · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject: Azalea hard prune?

I just received another response from the distributor/company where this plant came from. After my response proving that this is not a ficus, they told me the only other plant that resembles this is a Eugenia compacta. The lady who I was in contact with talked to their grower in Florida and indeed it is a Eugenia compacta. I did further investigation and this is what it has to be.

I got lucky in that the Eugenia can be hard pruned and likes acidic soil (it was re potted in Kanuma). This mystery can be considered ... resolved!

Rick,

If I had a prize, you would win it. You guessed earlier that is was a dwarf Eugenia.

Now, I need to go back and change my picture titles from Azalea, camellia, and other names I thought it could be, to the correct name.

Surrey John · Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:22 am Post subject: Re: Azalea hard prune?

Well done, Ed, for your persistent forensic determination! Now we all know what a Eugenia looks like, as in your last photo....

SJ

TB420 · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 6:28 am Post subject: Re: Azalea hard prune?

Well done Ed. Sometimes on bonsai help you actually get bonsai help, eh. Very Happy

Tom