Shohin Hibiscus progression

[kcpoole]

I have been developing this hibiscus for about 7 years now from an airlayer and surprised I have never created a thread about it

Repot every year and root prune hard, Wire when you need but do not let it cut in.
thru the summer months, remove larger leaves as needed, and if you wish to show, then total defoliate 2 = 3 weeks before hand to get a new flush of small leaves.
As bonsai, they rarely flower as they flower on the end of new growth so we always are cutting off the buds

the ramify really well and should be used more often as they are impossible to kill

Ken

[bodhidharma]

Oh, wow ken , that is looking great. I have not seen many of these displayed as Bonsai. Great job.

[Drac0]

the ramify really well and should be used more often as they are impossible to kill

Ken

Soooo true, I've tried...

They seem to back bud so well, right down to ground level on the ones I've tried (just growing as shrubs, not bonsai).

How big's the flower on this one Ken? I've got a number of cuttings going great guns here from one where the flower is about half the size of a normal hibiscus. Given the leaf size, yours looks about the same, even the colour.

Looking at trying a couple as bonsai. Any tips, especially for trunk development?

Cheers,

[kcpoole]

They take ages to increase in trunk, so in the ground or layer is the go

The flowers are very large and leavesbtoo both to unjust brake off when they get too big

Ken

[Isitangus]

Great hibiscus ken-I have one on the ofbonsai progression comp and can't wait to post it here when it's done.
I think they are greatly underused-like it had been said they backbud on old wood, take multiple defoliations, they also strike well from cuttings big and small!

[Drac0]

Will definitely give one of these a go using the miniature that I have access to. Much smaller flowers & leaves than a full sized one so should work well.

One of the cuttings I have is flowering so now you can see the size difference.

hibiscus.jpg

Cheers

[benny350]

How do they take collection and root reduction?

I've been playing around with some monsters in a friends yard that I may be lucky enough to dig. They definately back bud hard and grow stupidly fast but I dont want to kill them if they dont react well to the roots being played with.

[Drac0]

Handle well. I replaced my mothers with a cutting I had taken 6 months before and ripped it to pieces. Shot back everywhere. Will grow from virtually anything.

Cheers

[Isitangus]

I got a big bugger that had no roots on it and was on the kerb for a few days-going great guns. Treat em mean!

[kcpoole]

Yep they are bullet proof in every aspect.

When it comes to showing them, at this time of year, defoliate 2 weeks before the show and you will have small leaves allover

Ken

[kcpoole]

Will definitely give one of these a go using the miniature that I have access to. Much smaller flowers & leaves than a full sized one so should work well.

One of the cuttings I have is flowering so now you can see the size difference.

hibiscus.jpg

Cheers

Lovely flower Drac0

Ken

[Drac0]

Lovely flower Drac0

Ken

Thanks Ken.

Trying to decide if I should attempt a larger cutting or layer on the one currently in the ground or try & do something with the trunks from the one I pulled from the ground late last year. It's shooting like mad but haven't seen anything that captures my attention.

On a side note, it appears these can generate aerial roots, at least in a limited way. Noticed one a short way up a trunk on the one I ripped from the ground. Don't know if it's common or not & I wasn't looking when I pulled it, but interesting to me.

Cheers.

[Josh]

Awesome looking tree Ken. Well done. I've been telling my cousin she should pull her hibiscus hedge out, I might have to work at it a little harder after seeing you tree.

Josh.

[kcpoole]

My tropicals are all quiet now, but will be waking very soon. This little Hibiscus should be shooting very soon, so in anticipation thought i will remove the old leaves in prep for it.
This tree will be defoliated up to 4 times through the summer, and will do so about 2 - 3 weeks before it is due to be shown. That way the new shoots will still be small and in proportion for display

Ken

[wattynine]

Ken, mate, like that little tree
7 years shows on it well
Watty