SATSUKI AZALEA
Rhododendron indicum
"Maifune"
Dancing Boat
Dob ±2024
Height -±10cm-20cm
Origin - UK
Training pot
Introducing the Satsuki Azalea Starter 'Maifune' from Bonsai Southwest.
Bursting with shades of magenta flowers, this strong-growing variety is perfect for adding a vibrant touch to your satsuki collection
. These nice, healthy young plants are growing vigorously, having already made it through their first winter after being struck in 2024, ensuring they are robust and resilient. Enhance your collection with this stunningly colorful and hardy azalea, knowing it's nurtured by our commitment to quality and passion for plants.
To get the best results, I advise keeping them in the pots they are in for a few weeks before disturbing them. To grow them on you should pot them on into the next pot size up when required. Don't overpot them.
I have been using a new soil mixture of
3 parts graded pine bark
1 part kanuma
1 part perlite
1 part pumice.
The results have been excellent and I recommend using it for growing the young plants on.
Satsuki azaleas have been grown in Japan for 500 years.
Most satsuki varieties are late flowering (May-June).
They outdoor trees and are easy to care for.
They should never be allowed to dry out and should be potted in Kanuma bonsai soil.
During the flowering period, depending on the location, water the bonsai daily sometimes twice a day. Preferably submerge in water until no more air bubbles are coming out then remove and allow to drain.
In summer position in full sun to half shade but don't let it dry out or cook in the hot sun. On the extremely hot sunny days place the tree in the shade.
They are hardy plants that tolerate low temperatures some winter protection may be beneficial.
In principle, all styling techniques (pruning, wiring) should only be started after flowering. After flowering, the remains of the flowers and the stalk are plucked with the fingers or tweezers. Then you should start with pruning and training.
The Satsuki azaleas tolerate pruning very well and after being cut back into the old wood they sprout again all over the place. Shoots that grow steeply upwards or downwards should be removed immediately with a sharp bonsai scissors.
Download satsuki care guide here
https://www.bonsaisouthwest.co.uk/_files/ugd/c5105c_c3a89a9a8777416b806cb5d2ef9e1ebe.pdf