Azalea Tips #2: The Language of Ramification

This old Satsuki azalea, with its massive trunk and wild display of mixed up flowers, is from our Satuski Azalea book by Robert Z. Callaham (Stone Lantern Publishing). Ramification Ramification just means branching. More specifically in bonsai (and other places) it is sometimes used to mean branch development or branch refining. The language of ramification Pruning Pruning is a commonly used word that is loosely applied to mean any removal of all or parts of branches. More specifically it means removing branches rather than shortening branches, but this distinction is lost on many people. Thinning Thinning means removing unwanted branches … Continue reading Azalea Tips #2: The Language of Ramification

Azalea Tips: Developing New Branches

An advanced, but unfinished stage in the development of a Satsuki azalea (see below for a later photo). There are at least three flower variations shown in this photo: all white, all pink, and pink and white striped. Satsuki azaleas are renowned for their vast and varied range of flowers. The photos and illustrations in this post are from Bonsai Today issue 1. The bonsai artist’s name is not mentioned. Azaleas are easy Azaleas respond extremely well to pruning during most of the growing season. You can cut off all the branches and new shoots will appear from the stubs … Continue reading Azalea Tips: Developing New Branches

Green Workshop: Ugly Branches

These simple graphics show three solutions to three common branching problems. From Bonsai Today issue 58. Green Workshops present and past Our Green Workshop series is geared for beginners in the art of bonsai. Some earlier Green Workshops are: Wiring basics (using a turnbuckle); Wiring a Young Tree; Fall Transplanting: Pro & Cons; Yet Another Watering Problem; Bonsai Branching Basics; A Simple Wiring Video, and more (just type Green Workshops in search).