It's June again and that means plenty of work to do.  At the last meeting of the Bonsai Study Group I spent a full day on this Satsuki Azalea.  The shoots were taken down to two and the leaves taken to 3 on top and weaker areas and 2 towards the base and stronger areas.

I posted the photos below at the Bonsai Study Group forum and received an interesting video critique by johng.  If you haven't already done so, visit the Bonsai Study Group forum, create an account and start contributing to the community.

The first picture shows the tree as I received it in 2006 and the second after work was complete last Saturday.  There were quite a few flaws that were removed at that time and I've spent the last few years correcting them and growing out replacement branches.  I've almost gotten it to where I want it.  However, johng has offered a new direction that I'm considering in the next 2-3 years.  That's the great thing about bonsai, they're never finished and can always be remade into something different/better. 

This tree was repotted in February.  Some are still teaching the outdated practice of repotting after flower removal.  This is overly stressful on the tree as much of the energy was spent making flowers.  You will get much better results if you practice repotting in late winter or early spring and then thin to two shoots, two leaves in June. 

Here's the link to my Satsuki thread containing the video critique and a possible option for the future of this tree:

http://bonsaistudygroup.com/satsuki-azalea-discussion/june-satsuki-work/