Abutilon striatum?

crankykitty

aka flowering maple

I bought one of these because it was gorgeous and I believe in spending money at home show booths run by chicks who farm worms.

I've read up on it some but I was wondering if anyone has had this as bonsai? I'm going to pinch the leaves, they're HUGE for such a small tree but it has a fun shape and great flowers. It's n the mallow family, which is , I think, the same family as hibiscus... please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks!

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Joanie

We used to have them in our back yard, as kids. They tend to be leggy, with long internodes and long stems on the leaves. If you grow them for the flower display, however, you'll have an enjoyable tree. We called them "Chinese lanterns" because the flowers look like hanging lanterns. They probably don't do well in frost conditions.

Joanie

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crankykitty

The worm lady told me they were indoor trees. Am I understanding that you're thinking they're better for a houseplant than a bonsai? Which is a-ok to me, I can't wait for the flowers!

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Joanie

They can be indoor trees. Here in So. Calif, they are yard trees.

Watch for aphids and scale.

Joanie

__________________
"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says,
'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'" ~ Dave Barry

bonsaial1

I have three of them in my yard. They are not very frost freindly and they do get leggy. These would not make very suitable specimans for bonsai. The leaves do not reduce well unless they are weak, and who wants a stressed tree? The pink one in the picture is a "tree" that I layered off of a larger tree. The tree as you see it is about 4 feet tall. It is in a rather weak state now because the roots were rather fleshy when I severed it from the mother plant. It is blooming and seems to be doing ok, but not thriving yet like my other two. The maroon one is a stock plant, not hybridized and very nice and the yellow one is on varigated foliage and rather rare. I have never seen it before as I got this one from Don Kliem and Hendersons nursery some years ago.

They do make marvelous yard trees and I would have more if I could, but I'm running out of room

I believe in buying anything from chicks that farm anything!

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crankykitty

ok, when talk turns to bugs, I get all skeeved. I know what aphids are but I'm going to have to look up scale, this is new to me.

bonsaial1,

Those are adorable trees but I see what you mean about being leggy, I didn't get it until you showed me the pics lol. I have the variegated leaf kind ( which is apparently a disease) with orange flowers. It's still only about 5 or so inches tall but I can't wait to see it grow and bloom. I might still try to train the branches the way I want them to grow and just find it a fun pot to be in.

Thanks Ladies!

M

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Joanie

Al, she must not have seen you in your Speedos.

Joanie

__________________
"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says,
'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'" ~ Dave Barry

bonsaial1

Guess not!

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It's about time that the proper respect be given to the fine art of balloon animals...

crankykitty

oy vey! My apologies, if I had read the bottom of the post, I would have seen his name was Al. Good thing litreracy isn't a requirement up here in the mountains.

Speedos are wrong and should be illegalized altho Al does appear to have nice legs.....

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Do not take your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.