Shohin Hibiscus progression

[Raymond]

once again KC, all I can do is

[Pearcy001]

Love this little guy Ken

[kcpoole]

Thanks Guys, They are good fun

Ken

[kcpoole]

I am so excited !

A few weeks ago when I defoliated this guy for the first time this summer, I noticed 2 flower buds forming.
I left them alone and took of all the leaves and today the flowers are just opening
from where I sit at my computer, I saw the morning light hitting it and it looked quite special, however but the pool safety sign is not a great back ground
Any hoo got some photos and hope to get even better ones when the flowers open fully in a few days

Ken

[anthonyW]

Nice work Ken
Anthony

[Axeman]

That is a stunning tree!

[kcpoole]

Out in flower now, and guess what! it is not the one in the first pic in the thread !!
It i s a lovely large pink one instead

Must have been a different tree that i took the original layer from. My Neighbour had several in his yard an must have mislabelled them then.

Enjoy
Ken

[Watto]

Congratulations, great result

[KIRKY]

Love your Hibiscus Ken. What time of the year do you repot and how much root would you remove?
Also with regards to the growing medium you are using, what percentage Zealite, Diatomite? I note you state you just feed on top of pots. Does the fertiliser eventually breakdown and wash thru the mix or do you remove the old top layer/fertiliser prior to feeding again in 6 weeks. I have one that has always been pot grown in a pot 60cmx60cm. Roots did escape into the garden. I have since cut roots going into garden, its sulking a bit now only cut roots a couple of weeks ago. I plan on turning this into a Bonsai it has a very large trunk, bass would be approx 30cm around mim. Lots of branches that I have shortened to bring it home. This thing has sentimental value, a cutting I gave to my dad which he loved. So I don't want to do anything to loose it. But because of its size need to lighten the weight of the pot. Any advice to repot from soil into Zealite, Diatomite would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers

[kcpoole]

Hi Kirky
I use my old standard mix of 1/3 Zeolite, 2/3 Diatomite. I have recently acquired Pumice so will add that to my mix to give about 1/3 of each component.
I do not measure them out, but just chuck a bag of each in a large tub and Mix

Repotting I do in mid to late spring, tho this one was not done this year. any time durign the growing season, but will avoid the hottest part of the year.
I remove about 1/2 of the roots when repotting.

I have a large one I have been ground growing and want to collect it soon to put up
Ken

[KIRKY]

Thanks Ken, i will feed and water till late Spring and then have a look at whats in the pot. I suspect it will have some very large roots. It has easily been in this pot for over ten years.
Sorry you didn't mention the fertilise on top do you leave the old stuff and just top up?
Cheers

[kcpoole]

I find with using Neutrog Sudden impact, that it disappears completely after about 6 weeks or so.
I assume it just dissolves and is absorbed in the pot.
When I can no longer see and pellets on the surface, I know it time to reapply

Ken

[kvan64]

The flower size would be hard to reduce but I love the shape of the tree. Looking good!

[kcpoole]

The flower size would be hard to reduce but I love the shape of the tree. Looking good!

Thanks.
Yes the flowers do not reduce I believe on any tree I have been told.
I was happy to get a few on this one but will only allow one or 2 to avoid stressing it too much.

Ken

[kcpoole]

Flowering again and finally home in time to see them out Yay!!!!
this is the 5th flower this year to come out so am very happy and it still has another one developing

enjoy
Ken