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Hi, I just received a Japanese Azalea mini bonsai (rhododendron obtusum) as a gift and I have no idea what to do with it! I’ve looked online but can’t find out what to do in this particular case (already in a bonsai pot etc). Can it live indoors? When do I start shaping it? What about the fact that there are two shoots instead of just one? Photos are attached. Any help you could give me would be very appreciated. Thank you! Caitlin

No, it cannot live indoors. If you want to put mowement into the trunk, its possible now. Any other styling can wait. Just focus on care and get it thriving. When fully healthy and have thick enough trunk for your design you can start styling.

Keep it outdoors all time, but protect it with frost.
For the two shoots, i would let it grow a few years to get some ticker branches before cutting it back.
Always /only prune Azalea directly after flowering. Because the new flower buds for next year are produced a few weeks/months after flowering. So that way you won't cut away the new flowers.
For this species always give rain water, no tap water, as tap water is to hard for them. As a result roots might not take up all kind nutrients, and that will show discolleration of the leaves.
Keep the ph betwee 5 and 5.5, usally rain water is around that.

Rorror wrote:

Keep the ph betwee 5 and 5.5, usally rain water is around that.

Do you live in a highly poluted area? Rain water is naturally around 6. Ph 5 is 10 times more acidic than ph7.

Anyway, yes low ph is needed. With the right soil rain water is good.