Hibiscus advise needed.

[Neli]

I have this hibiscus in a plastic bag. I grew it from cutting, 15-16 years ago. Put it in the ground, grew it for years, dug it out, brought it to the new house, planted it in the ground, and a year ago dug it out again and planted it in the bag. Then a week ago I took a saw, and chopped the whole bag horizontally and planted it in a shallow training pot. It has very strange shape.
It has a large root coming down from the top bend.
I am debating to airlayer it at the section where the root is coming, and make two plants from it.
I can not imagine how to style it as it is.
Any advise? Should I make two or keep it as it is? If You should advise to keep it the way it is, how should style it?

 

[NewWorldBonsai]

I see a nice informal upright with either the top left on and reduced or carved, or with the whole straight part above the root being air layered.

The air layer makes the most sense to me. You'll get two interesting trees out of it and it takes care of that straight section allowing you to grow a more fitting apex for the lower half.

 

[Neli]

Thank You! That is what I was thinking also, but scared to make a mistake. Thought someone might have a better idea. Newbie here.

 

[GrimLore]

It has been my experience that most of todays varieties will only live 15-20 years similar to the Purple Plum tree. We keep both and like them but be prepared to loose them someday. My Wife seems to think of that as "long enough" but I really hope my plants will someday be willed to someone

 

[Neli]

It has been my experience that most of todays varieties will only live 15-20 years similar to the Purple Plum tree. We keep both and like them but be prepared to loose them someday. My Wife seems to think of that as "long enough" but I really hope my plants will someday be willed to someone

You mean most of the hibiscus varieties? Never noticed that...At list I will practice on it.But this plant is older than 15 years. I wrote 15 years but that was a very conservative estimate. It is probably much older than that.
But now that you have mentioned it, I have never seen huge old hibiscus plants.

 

[GrimLore]

You mean most of the hibiscus varieties? Never noticed that...At list I will practice on it.But this plant is older than 15 years. I wrote 15 years but that was a very conservative estimate. It is probably much older than that.
But now that you have mentioned it, I have never seen huge old hibiscus plants.

There are Hibiscus plants living at 50 years if you are fortunate enough to have one of the original species before all of the genetic modifications were done by us to make different colors and such

 

[lordy]

the hibiscus I have show large leaves and even larger blooms. I'm talking blooms as big as second base. No way would I waste time trying to containerize this thing. Good luck with yours.

 

[Neli]

the hibiscus I have show large leaves and even larger blooms. I'm talking blooms as big as second base. No way would I waste time trying to containerize this thing. Good luck with yours.

I have over 25 varieties of hibiscus...I chose this one because it has small flowers ans leaves...I have also hibiscus with flowers like dinner plates...This one is the smalles. flower is double about 4-5cm

 

[NewWorldBonsai]

I have over 25 varieties of hibiscus...I chose this one because it has small flowers ans leaves...I have also hibiscus with flowers like dinner plates...This one is the smalles. flower is double about 4-5cm

Do you happen to have the botanical on that variety? If I ever run across an old hibiscus trunk it would be really fun to graft to make a proportionate looking bonsai.

 

[Neli]

Do you happen to have the botanical on that variety? If I ever run across an old hibiscus trunk it would be really fun to graft to make a proportionate looking bonsai.

I dont know the name of the variety, but I am in Livingstone on holidays spending new year, and went to a nursery here. Bought a new variety of hibiscus, very unusual. If you just see the flower You will never think it is hibiscus. I will try to take a picture tomorrow, if the flower is still there.
I sent the gardener to go dig for me baobab for me tomorrow. They are available only in this area.
I do a lots of grafting, but never the types I read people do on bonsai. I do different types, and methods.

 

[Neli]

I tried to find the one I posted here on google. Looked at lots of pictures but did not find it. But the one I found today looks very similar to this one:
http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week091.shtml
It is considered a wild plant here, but it is not annual. Maybe in cold climate is treated as anual since it does not survive cold.
The flower on mine is very similar but more delicate, the leaves are 1cm wide by 2 cm long...I hope they are not young leaves and that is why they are so small.
It is called hibiscus shizopetalus.

 

[NewWorldBonsai]

Those are the smallest leaves I have ever seen on a hibiscus. Thanks for doing all that work, it's always fun to do research

 

[Neli]

You are welcome. I collect plants from all over the world. I am good with gardening but dont know much about bonsai. I learned a lot from this forum and if I can contribute in any way, will make me happy.
I bought a moringa tree today. Wanted it for bonsai. It grows like bottle and is propagated by seeds and stem cuttings. I decided to google it.
To my surprise I found that is called miracle tree and tree of life. It prevents and cures over 300 diseases and is used like spinach alternative. It is native to Africa, and valued all over the world for its medicinal properties...and I had to learn that from the internet.
You should google it...it is truly a miracle tree.
It purify water and kills up to 99.99% of bacteria...it is strong antibiotic. It cures almost any disease you can think of...there are no side effects and is a food source as well.
I dug out two very large baobabs also, and 3 acacias, with some dead wood on them.

 

[Cadillactaste]

There are Hibiscus plants living at 50 years if you are fortunate enough to have one of the original species before all of the genetic modifications were done by us to make different colors and such

So if one got a seedling from an old hibiscus that was say...over 42 years old...it would then not have the short life span...correct? (My aunt has a few on what used to be my grandparents property...)curious I may tag one that is purple...so I can later grab it. Just for yard purposes. Had no idea they too had a life expectancy...this is so unfortunate...that I am learning that two items planted in my yard has short life cycles.

I recall fond memories of sitting under it and drinking lemonade with my grandma...so it had to be old back then...if it was large enough to sit under...and I'm 42...so who knows how old it may be. A drunk hit it and it was damagd and had to be cut down...but it has sprouted many trees off the old root system. But oddly...the trees are multi colored verses the purplish color it once was.

 

[GrimLore]

It is possible that it was a graft to produce the color and variety therefore the base that is sprouting is below the graft. Either way if they are old trees they will continue to be. I just found in the past we have gotten 10-15 years on a few rather odd varieties and some types seem to live forever.

Grimmy

 

[Cadillactaste]

It is possible that it was a graft to produce the color and variety therefore the base that is sprouting is below the graft. Either way if they are old trees they will continue to be. I just found in the past we have gotten 10-15 years on a few rather odd varieties and some types seem to live forever.

Grimmy

Thanks...I forgot to add...that they planted a pine tree near this hibiscus. My aunt feels that may have something to do with it as well. But I never thought of grafting on an old tree like that...interesting. Thanks!

 

[GrimLore]

Thanks...I forgot to add...that they planted a pine tree near this hibiscus. My aunt feels that may have something to do with it as well. But I never thought of grafting on an old tree like that...interesting. Thanks!

nah, I sent a PM to attempt to clarify what I meant

Grimmy