The best thing about spring shows is the opportunity for color.
Gyokurei
Saien
This was the first spring show I’d attended in Japan. I was struck by how nice it was to see bright indications of the season.
Sayaka
Jukokan
Somewhere between one third to half of the satsuki bonsai on display at the 8th World Bonsai Convention were in bloom. For the most part, these trees had slender trunks and were covered with color head to toe.
Satsukibare
Asukanishiki
The rest of the satsuki on display were appreciated for more generalized bonsai characteristics – good roots, trunk and branch density.
Satsuki azalea with good fundamental bonsai characteristics
These azaleas took a variety of forms, from informal upright to multi-trunk to root over rock.
Informal upright
Multi-trunk – Hinotsukasa
Informal upright
Root over rock
Informal upright
Root over rock – great branch pad density
Some had massive trunks and meandering branches.
Great trunk and branches
Trunk detail
Large trunk and key branch
Meandering branches
Most of the satsuki bonsai were clustered together in a few areas. They provided great contrast to the mostly coniferous and deciduous varieties that filled the exhibit.
Root over rock
Possibly the result of fused whips
Informal upright
Great display showing both azaleas grown for flower display and those primarily for ‘bonsai characteristics. Are the flowering ones partially debudded in early spring so that each flower has room to open fully?
Hi John – good question. I’d guess that yes, the buds were carefully thinned ahead of flowering as this is a common practice ahead of satsuki shows. I expect the blooms are further thinned as necessary once they open too.
I wonder why azaleas show very little trunk, branch, and limb structure. Apparently they feel it is all about the flowers.
Hi Lee – thanks for the note. Some azalea bonsai are developed just for the flowers as you noted. Others are developed for the trunk, roots and branches. A good example of this are the trees shown here that aren’t in bloom.
Those flowering azaleas with multiple colors. Are different varieties grafted onto one plant? Stunning but kind of artificial looking. Thanks for sharing.
Satsuki azaleas can produce different color flowers on the same tree – it’s one of the reasons they’re a popular variety for bonsai.