Loropetalum Chinesis

Tony Lentini

Has anybody tried to bonsai a loropetalum chinesis? Its common name is Chinese Fringe Flower... It has purplish leaves almost tending to black and beautiful pink flowers. I live in Houston and have tried to bonsai a number of these plants acquired from nurseries and all have died, some after a few days, some after a couple of weeks. Does anyone know the secret? I suspect it is that they do not like to have their roots disturbed in any way, but am not sure. All I know is that the leaves curl up and die. It is a beautiful plant that is very hardy in the ground or in a nursery pot, so I don't understand. I have been doing bonsai since 1987, so I am not a neophyte and generally know how to take care of trees. So, please help!!!! If you have any good ideas. Thanks.

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Houston Tony

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Forest Reef

I started one last year - trimmed it down from a bush to bonsai form. It was in a 5gal nursery pot. Planned on potting it up in the spring rush this year - but I mis-timed it 'cause I thought it was waking up (sap flowing) 'cause I got my new greenhouse too warm in Jan. (still working on that). Teacher (Warren Hill) later said, no, sometimes they do that & are still winter-sleepy enough....I should've waited longer for more bud-swelling. Oh, well - the tree survived (Jan. potting and moving inside for the rest of winter) and bloomed. Per my teacher's directions from last year (except for the timing snafu) - I way-overpotted it so (a) less shock from the 5gal pot and (b) it's a flowering bonsai - such usually go in deeper/bigger pots. The tree is about a ft high, about that wide. I'm working on the branching. Tree is not cooperating as well as I might like, but then I'm not the most experienced person, either. So - to let you know, it is being tried, I can post updates as time goes on....It is about '6mo old' (in the bonsai pot). I still consider it under development. One step past potensai, but not yet fully 'bonsaied'. Cultural issues - soil & care per a landscaping book's rec on loropetalums (Taylor's 50 Best Shrubs): "...moist, well-drained, acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. It does not tolerate alkaline soils. Some shade...." Read: treat it like an azaela. Check your water source and fertilizers for alkalinity or salts.... The loropetalums are truly lovely in bloom - Hope this helps, and the best of luck to both of us.