Rhododendron 'Oi-no-Mezame' (Wilson 26)

Rhododendron Wilson - Wilson Azalea

General:
The genus Rhododendron includes over 1000 different species, most of which are native to eastern China and Japan. They grow here mainly in the mountains as evergreen, small and weak-growing shrubs. Through extensive breeding, several thousand varieties have been created in Japan over the decades. The Japanese azalea is called "Satsuki" in Japan. This translates as the fifth month and symbolizes spring. Flowering lasts only a few weeks, but there are flowers in white and in all shades of red, from delicate pink to bright pink. The flowers can be solid or bicolored, striped or speckled. Flower shapes also vary, and there are varieties with slit petals, for example.

Care as a bonsai:
Azalea bonsais are especially popular in Japan but also in Europe. The flowering is truly unique in its abundance, variety and beauty. Even after flowering, the bonsai is very beautiful to look at due to the evergreen leaves and dense branching. Very contoured tree silhouettes can be created. Once the plants have bloomed, the shoots are cut back. Heavy topiary can also be done at this time. Azaleas are very hardy and can tolerate massive interventions. Wiring the young shoots is now also possible. Azaleas can be repotted in March before the new leaves sprout or after flowering in June/July. All varieties prefer a semi-shaded location, and acidic, moist, loosely humus soil. So it should not be watered with chalky tap water. Azaleas are only conditionally hardy, so be sure to provide adequate frost protection.

Features of the variety:
This is a very special variety of azalea. Kurume azaleas are named after the Japanese city of Kurume on the southern island of Kyushu, which is one of the most important centers of azalea cultivation in Japan. The first Kurume azaleas were created from crosses of Rhododendron kiusianum with Rhododendron kaempferi. They have a dense and compact growth and small leaves and flowers.
In 1917, the English-North American plant hunter "Sir Henry Wilson" visited the city of Kurume in a two-year trip. In one of the azalea nurseries, he was overwhelmed by the more than 200 varieties then on display. The 51 hybrids he brought with him became known as "Wilson's Fifty". These found their way into the various nurseries and garden centers in the western world, and over time more and more hybrids were added.