Grewia progression

Carol 83

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Thanks Carol, it’s definitely one of my favorites and low maintenance.
Is there a trick to them? I've had a couple and lost them both. They were in decent soil, watered carefully, I have no idea what I did wrong.
 

ABCarve

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Is there a trick to them? I've had a couple and lost them both. They were in decent soil, watered carefully, I have no idea what I did wrong.
Mine is in APL and since they are a bit of a water hound it gets watered at least once a day.... even in winter. It gets one major cutback per year in mid-March. Winter temperatures 55-65 in a southeast window although it might like warmer nights. It drops 50-60 percent of its leaves when I bring it in the fall, when the temps are consistently mid-40s. It’s very, very shaggy and leggy now but still flowering. Summer is full sun and it likes heat....more heat (80s to low 90s) more flowers. Only nips and tucks to keep the silhouette. I do cut old flowers off to keep it tidied up. Photo is winter storage.

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Carol 83

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Mine is in APL and since they are a bit of a water hound it gets watered at least once a day.... even in winter. It gets one major cutback per year in mid-March. Winter temperatures 55-65 in a southeast window although it might like warmer nights. It drops 50-60 percent of its leaves when I bring it in the fall, when the temps are consistently mid-40s. It’s very, very shaggy and leggy now but still flowering. Summer is full sun and it likes heat....more heat (80s to low 90s) more flowers. Only nips and tucks to keep the silhouette. I do cut old flowers off to keep it tidied up. Photo is winter storage.

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Thanks, maybe I'll give them another try this spring.
 

ABCarve

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New shoes!! This is its winter look. Although many of the leaves have fallen, the tree structure is a little more exposed and it continues to flower but no as prolific.
The tree has been growing in this pot since 2016......5 growing seasons in a tumblehome pot. Tumblehome is a boat building term for the reverse curving lip(see illustration). Many people have issues with this pot form because of fears of getting the tree out for repotting. Twice around the perimeter with the $8.00 tool and voila.
It is in a 16" pot although the tumblehome form makes it look smaller because of the square inches of exposed soil. I never would have thought this tree could grow enough to require a 16" pot. :eek:

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ABCarve

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This tree is a water hog so this time I'm going to try a wetter media. I use Aoki brand which is already blended 80-/20 akadama/pumice. I'm not putting in lava, just some charcoal and some ground up orchid moss. It is an acid loving plant so I think the moss will help in time and hold extra moisture. In a few weeks, after some recovery it will get the yearly haircut.


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fredman

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Beautiful tree mate. You're doing very well by it. How do you know it's an acid loving plant...i've been wondering about that to...
Some kanuma in the mix will be good for it then.
 

ABCarve

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Beautiful tree mate. You're doing very well by it. How do you know it's an acid loving plant...i've been wondering about that to...
Some kanuma in the mix will be good for it then.
Read it somewhere. I thought about the kanuma but its been in a similar mix for a number of years and seemed to do okay. If it ain't broke.......
 
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I just picked one of these up and am so glad I found this thread. Mine has a long long long way to go, but this is some great inspiration for sure! Beautiful tree.
 

Hartinez

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Great stuff. Responding to your first posts question about negative space in the mass of foliage. I don’t think it needs it. The flowers are absolutely the highlight. The more the better IMO. The trunk below the foliage also is pleasing, creating a nice balance. It does look as if it spaces out quite well after a heavy trim. Not your fault it’s such a vigorous grower and fills out so quick! Then again, with your care it probably is your fault. Only thing I’d say is the surface roots are a bit lacking. Spectacular image though.
 

Hartinez

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Great stuff. Responding to your first posts question about negative space in the mass of foliage. I don’t think it needs it. The flowers are absolutely the highlight. The more the better IMO. The trunk below the foliage also is pleasing, creating a nice balance. It does look as if it spaces out quite well after a heavy trim. Not your fault it’s such a vigorous grower and fills out so quick! Then again, with your care it probably is your fault. Only thing I’d say is the surface roots are a bit lacking. Spectacular image.
 

Esolin

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Very nice tree! And your repotting 'stand' for flipping the tree over is quite ingenious.

I hope my grewia is one day is similarly worthy. I had a good start with it...until the dog broke off the 'staring' branch in a future semi-cascade. Now I don't know how to shape what's left. Maybe I can take some inspiration from yours.
 

ABCarve

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It's loving the summer heat and humidity. The previous days flowers are removed in the morning......within 1-1/2 hours it looks like this again and again. By the end of day the bumbles bees have beat the crap out of the flowers and so begins the cycle. This tree just keeps on giving.

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