hibiscus flowering

I have hibiscus I planted this spring from just a chunk of root. It really took off and has been flowering like crazy. It's had a dozen flowers and has a dozen more flower buds. The main trunk is about 3/4" in diameter. I'd like to make a bonsai out of it but don't know how much I can chop it back and how long do I let the branches grow in order to get at least a few flowers every year.

For this tree, I would be satisfied with a trunk a little over an inch in diameter, with the total height about 20".
I can get plenty more root stock from my sister's flower bed for bigger bonsai later. Her hibiscus has a massive fused root pad of almost 2 feet in diameter!

Just for fun, I tried to bonsai a patio hibiscus last year. I cut it back hard, branches and roots, and stuck it in a fairly shallow pot. It did fine inside and even bloomed. Brought it back out in the Spring. But the leaves and flowers won't reduce, and it will never look remotely like bonsai. Good luck with yours, no use not to try it.

After the flowers fade is generally a good time to prune flowering species. Flowers are actually a metamorphosed terminal bud, so you will notice a tendency for the plant to grow, halt extending, flower, and resume extending growth. Some species (e.g., roses) do this multiple times during the growing season; others (e.g. azaleas) only once. Hard pruning generally works out better when done prior to the summer solstice, but there are lots of flowering species that are commonly cut down for winter - the risk, generally, is some stem die back.

I think it could be quite fun to make a small bonsai that is enjoyed for the absurdity of a little plant with a big flower. I've seen this done with magnolia stellata and with camellias - I rather like them . See/mention 'hibiscus' and I cannot help but think of Walter Pall's hibiscus - he indicates that his wife loves it.

0soyoung said:

See/mention 'hibiscus' and I cannot help but think of Walter Pall's hibiscus - he indicates that his wife loves it.

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It is amazing, if I remember correct one of his first and 30 or so years of his work/time. Also pretty certain his Wife told him if it goes she goes - she REALLY likes it

Grimmy

If it doesn't turn out to be a "true" bonsai, I can live with a small, interestingly shaped tree with gorgeous blooms. It would be tough, but I could suck it up!

True, this is the only bonsai that she really cares about.

Thanks for the pics, Walter. Beautiful blooms. If someone gives me grief about it not being a bonsai, I'll say " You're right, it's not a bonsai. It's an interesting miniature tree. No law against that."

Carol 83 said:

Just for fun, I tried to bonsai a patio hibiscus last year. I cut it back hard, branches and roots, and stuck it in a fairly shallow pot. It did fine inside and even bloomed. Brought it back out in the Spring. But the leaves and flowers won't reduce, and it will never look remotely like bonsai. Good luck with yours, no use not to try it.

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I think I have read that about this species as well. Lovely flower...I have a braided trunk one for goodness...over 15+ years. Trunk is now the diameter of a bottle of drinking water. It's a potted tree though. Never thought to bonsai it...my husband hugs it when I prune it back hard...he would not handle it in a bonsai pot and really cut back short. And honestly...its trunk is to tall...it makes a great potted tree. Which I embrace. But...hey...they are lovely in bloom and I wouldn't think it would matter what size pot they were in.

Mr. Pall ( @Walter Pall ) your garden is lovely...those blooms would melt the hardest of hearts...sweet the misses loves it though. With all your trees...says a lot about her. She lets her heart guide her in choice selection. Great lady for sure.

Thanks for sharing.

Walter Pall said:

True, this is the only bonsai that she really cares about.

View attachment 162886 View attachment 162887

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Very very nice! There's a massive one here I'm going to try and get permission to collect in spring

I have a nice h. syriacus "Li'l Kim" that I picked up at an end-of-season sale for twenty bucks. I won't pot it until spring, but I'm really excited about it. Not exactly classical, radiating nebari, but very cool.

Giga said:

Very very nice! There's a massive one here I'm going to try and get permission to collect in spring

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You still owe us that picture! Lol

Nice but like mentioned above the leaves and flowers tend to be large so a large size tree is best

I do have a realy big hibiscus syriacus wich dug out of the front garden and it seems to be a prety tough species this was the seccond year boxed up ad grew realy strong and ready for some work next year now waiting till all the leaves are gone to see how the branching is comeing allong
You have a different cultivar than mine but if you care here is my thread on the tree:
https://www.bonsainut.com/threads/hibiscus-syriacus.24818/