Thanks to the bonsai type, we can experience different approaches, which allows us to choose and decide the style.
Azalea styling can be approached in either a traditional or contemporary way. Both with their unique goals and benefits.
Contents
Traditional Approach to Azalea Bonsai Styling
Here you can find various styles and choose the one close to your heart:
1. Formal Upright Bonsai Style (Chokkan)
This is a popular form of bonsai styling that comes almost entirely naturally, especially when the bonsai gets enough light. It's a classical style featuring a straight trunk and balanced branches. The top of the tree should be formed by a single branch. The trunk of the tree is much thicker than the bottom, and as it moves up, it gets less thick and wide.
2. Semi-Cascading Bonsai Style (Han King):
Unlike the cascade style, semi-cascade doesn't grow below the bottom of the tree but grows halfway downward. Natural Materials: Traditional Bonsai styling always incorporates natural materials, including clay or stone pots, which encourage better moisture and healthier soil.
3. Cascade (Kengai):
This style displays a bonsai tree's branch cascading down over the pot or container. Because cascading bonsai grow downwards, they're planted in tall pots or containers. To style it manually, allow the tree to grow upwards for a little while before slightly bending it downward.
4. Informal Upright (Moyogi):
This bonsai is both an art and nature growth. It grows in the form of the letter 'S'. The truck is also thicker at the bottom and gets thinner as it moves upwards.
5. Root-Over-Rock (Seki-Joju)
A style featuring a tree growing over a rock, with the roots exposed.
6.Double Trunk (kabudachi)
A style showing two trunks growing from a single root.
Contemporary Approach to Styling Azalea Bonsai
Contemporary Azalea styling embraces a different approach; unlike the traditional approach, the contemporary approach gives room for creativity and self-expression.
The contemporary approach also uses technology to experiment with diverse styles and abstract forms and designs.
Styling Techniques
Abstract Shapes: Azalea Bonsai in Winter: Essential Tips for Cold Climates. This is how Artists, cultivators, and enthusiasts create non-traditional shapes, like curves, twisted trunks, etc.
Asymmetry: Experiment with asymmetrical compositions to create a sense of movement and energy.
Minimalism: This contemporary styling embraces simplicity and elegance by removing unnecessary branches and foliage.
⚙️ Modern Materials and Tools
New potting: experimenting with modern potting materials, like steel containers, ceramic, or glass containers. Innovative Wiring Techniques: using wiring techniques to create intricate and complex branch designs. Advanced Pruning through modern tools like scissors, cutters, etc.
🧑🔬️ Experimentation
Combining Multiple Trees: to create an exceptional view by combining multiple Azalea trees in one container. Incorporating Natural Elements: natural elements like rocks, driftwood, or moss.
In conclusion, you can manually style Azalea Bonsai using the traditional styling approach, or you can style Azalea Bonsai technically using the modern approach.