Sometimes I work on nursery trees, sometimes I work on client’s trees……and sometimes if I’ve been a really good boy I get to work on my own trees. Hopefully these regular visits will give you an insight into what goes on behind closed doors……….
Studio Stories – Satsuki Azalea Time
From our last post under Classroom Corner it’s obvious that this is the time of year when we deal with Satsuki Azaleas.
The trees pictured here were in plastic training pots. The before and after pruning pictures show the trees in their new ceramic pots.
After flowering all the flowers are removed as they fade including the seed pod. The trees are pruned to shape especially with regard to the new growth which emerges as the flowers fade. Wiring can also be carried out at this time if required.
Where necessary the trees can also be repotted at this time taking care not to comb the roots out in the way we do with most normal repotting work. We use a mix of Kanuma, pumice and chopped sphagnum moss.
When all this work has been completed we spray the trees with a systemic insecticide and then they can be put back on the benches for sale. They are now ready for flowering next year. After about a month we will start feeding again with Satsuki Tao.
