51cg

Hello, total newbie here in western NC. I have a ton of azalea growing all over my wooded lot and I’m wondering if they would be suitable to turn into a few bonsai. See photos.?
If yes I have a few questions…
1. should I prune them while in the ground until the size trunk I desire.
2. Or should I put into a 5 gallon pot, prune and pot next spring.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

? ?

Everything can be used to create bonsai given time. This species have very big leaf that do not reduce that well. Wich makes it suitable for a really big bonsai only. The challenge with big bonsai is to get the trunk into proportion. I guess it has been on that spot for a couple of decades already (?) and is not ready yet. So, I guess 20 more years if it is left in ground and more than a human life time if colected and put into a shallow pot.

I would leave it in ground and look for other candidates that have better potential to become a good material in a shorter time.

Thank you for the reply @Tropfrog
I have so much to learn. On to the next specimen!