Bonsai is the ancient Japanese art of shaping and cultivating plants to look like miniature trees. Azalea bonsai trees are basically azalea plants that are shaped to look like trees. You will need lots of instructions to care for an azalea bonsai tree, but like anything else, once you get the hang of it, it will become extremely enjoyable.

What To Expect

When properly cared for, an azalea bonsai tree can produce magnificent flowers that range up to seven inches in diameter! The flowers, which bloom in late spring, have truly brilliant colors. These types of bonsai trees are by far the most popular type of bonsai trees being raised.

Soil And Water

When caring for an azalea bonsai tree, try to only use life-free mixes of soil. They prefer soil that is naturally acidic. If you are going to use fertilizer, feed the tree every other week in spring until the “flowering period” is over. After that, only feed them monthly. When it gets to be late summer or early fall, start using increasing amounts of phosphorous and potassium-rich soil to help promote blossoms next season.

To properly care for your bonsai tree, it needs to be watered at least once a day through the growing season. This will help the soil stay moist but not soggy. They will even do well with extra light misting every once in awhile. Azaleas are particularly vulnerable to drying out, so they need to be placed in indirect sunlight, especially in the spring and summer. They also need to be protected in fall and winter. Cold and icy wind is damaging for them.

Maintenance

Because they have extremely brittle bark, azaleas bonsais need proper care when it comes to their maintenance. If you’re going to use wire to shape your tree, you need to use aluminum wire because it’s softer. Pruning, however, is necessary for a bonsai tree, and should be done in later summer. Any and all cuts made need to be clean ones, and any “wounds” left on them must be sealed immediately. After flowers bloom, all dead flowers must be removed at their bases to prevent any seed pods from forming and killing the tree. You can even wrap plastic tape around the sensitive bark as a way to protect it.

Your Tree Will Bloom

There’s nothing like having a beautiful tree of your own to set on the coffee table, and if you follow these azalea bonsai care tips, you will soon have a vibrant, blossoming miniature tree that’s sure to impress all your friends! All you need is a tiny bit of bonsai care instruction, a bit of time and energy, and whole lot of passion.