Hibiscus, the dark horse of Bonsai perhaps...

[Brandon]

G'day all,

So, here we have an interesting project I am hoping to undertake over the next few seasons! It's a hibiscus, the story thus far...
Chopping down a bunch of hibiscus' from the side of the hous and what do I find, one which looks particularly bonsai-ish. Now I am aware that hibiscus aren't the usual choice for bonsai, probably due to the large leaf size, but I really liked the trunk lines of this one, and a quick google search does bring up some impressive hibiscus results. However, the pics are as follows.

PC020130.jpg

As soon as the tree was lifted, after it's brutal in ground cut back.

My thoughts are to train in the cascade style.

Any thoughts good or bad, are welcomed, anybody else had any luck with hibiscus??

[NathanM]

Very interesting mate. Nice, solid trunk(s) on it. I think I agree. I would cut the upright trunk off and go for a semi cascade I think. Unless you removed the cascading trunk and cut the upright trunk down quite sure and start an upright tree.

[dayne]

i have seen a few hibiscus bonsai in the states and hawaii they can look real good

[Brandon]

A couple of pics, before it was ripped from the loins of the earth!

[kcpoole]

I actually have a few
All grown from Cuttings or layers, and took some photos of the flowers yesterday. I will post them soon.
Nice trunk Brandon

Pros
Flowers are awesome to view, Fast growers, Impossible to kill I think

Cons
Large leaf and flower size, ??

Ken

[kcpoole]

Here are some photos of the flowers on mine at the moment.
They are only growing on at the moments and nowhere near ready to style
Enjoy

Ken

[Brandon]

Here are some photos of the flowers on mine at the moment.
They are only growing on at the moments and nowhere near ready to style
Enjoy

Ken

The yellow flower is rather impressive for a hibiscus, i'd only seen them as the basic 5 petal type flower!
As you mentioned, one of the cons is the fact that they have quite large leaves, I don't suppose you (or anyone else:)) knows if they take defoliating well or not?

[kcpoole]

Hey brandon,
I have been looking for that photo for ages as it is no longer available form the old BonsaiTalk site gallery
that tree prompted my interest in Hibiscus as Bonsai originally

You can Defoliate at any time I have found, and what I do it just remove the leaves as they get too big so manage the size that way.
I have a another at home not flowering yet ( it has buds), But i think is a much smaller flower size. If it is the one I think, it is similar trumpet shap like the red one, but smaller and with shorter flower stem too

Ken

[Asus101]

look through Taiwanese bonsai galleries. They show them defoliated, like their ficus.

[Jester]

That one with the pink flower is absolutely spectacular. I did'nt know a hibiscus could look so good as bonsai. Really hard to fault that specimen!!

[MelaQuin]

Considering the size of the flower and leaf I would not be reducing the trunk anymore at this stage. It has movement and enough strength and character to handle a larger leaf and flower and be spectacular. Hibiscus have a good flowering period and with a basic structure that impressive it would make a stunning tree. Do you have a photograph of its flower??

[Pup]

There are dwarf cultivars of Hibiscus. Mrs pup has two one pink and one white. When we bought them 12 years ago they were small.
Planted them in pots and left them they have never been re potted. They have been grown as standards. Leaves have always been small

Flowers a bit like those posted. I would say they are hardy these two loose there leaves in winter

Cheers Pup

[sreeve]

Earlier this year I bought two different Hibiscus which have smaller leaves and a different flower to those others I have.

The flower is quite dainty, but doesnt last long. Even this flower had only just come out when I went out on the boat at 10am, come 1pm the middle stamen is already starting to wilt.

The biggest leaf is 2" x 3/4". I havent tried to reduce the size yet, presumably they will reduce.

Not really sure what its name is.
Regards
Steve

DSCN0213.JPG

DSCN0215.JPG

[Asus101]

The following are Hibiscus tiliaceus from Taiwan.

[kcpoole]

Beautiful Asus Thanks rfor posting them

Notice that they have all been defoliated for the picture / display, and are only just showing green tips
Hmmm!