|
ChrisAZ
Posts: 6
|
 |
« on: February 19, 2015, 04:07:19 PM » |
|
I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on how to get Dream Catcher to branch. It has always seemed inclined to grow upwards. I have pinched and pruned it pretty regularly, but after each time it sprouts one branch that continues growing upwards, while any others that it starts never keep growing. This has resulted in a very tall plant. I've included pics of a couple places where it it's been pinched/pruned in the past. I've been using the HVH time released fertilizer on it since November, and it's been growing (upward) like a beast even though it was in relatively low light conditions over the winter.
Thanks,
Chris
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Maureenpm00
Posts: 57
Maureen Long Island NY
|
|
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2015, 06:34:46 AM » |
|
HI, I don't know the answer to this but i'm hoping Charlie will chime in soon so I can find out why your plant may be doing this.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Charlie
|
|
« Reply #2 on: February 23, 2015, 04:11:32 PM » |
|
Hi Chris,
Hibiscus plants react to pruning depending on how much fertilizer they received and how much light and heat they experience. Winter is not a good time to get the best results from pruning due to lower light and temperature.
For this plant, there are 2 ways to go. Either just let it keep growing and hope that the summer conditions will stimulate more side branching, or prune it hard, cutting it off about at the half way point. The latter will definitely get you more side branching as we move into summer but the former may well work, too. It depends on what shape and how tall you want this plant to get. Be sure to reapply the time release as it does deplete over time.
Charlie
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
|
|
« Reply #3 on: February 23, 2015, 08:42:38 PM » |
|
From my experience growing exotic hibiscus you need to prune them down a lot to induce a lot more branching and a lush round bush. Tip pinching works to some extent but at some point you have to bite the bullet and really prune a lot.
My Dream Catcher has never been pruned and it has developed into a nice bush. It was a slow grower for the first year and then it has really taken off the last 6 months. The location is very shady from April - Nov and then sunny during the winter.
The first photo below is my planter with Dream Catcher (2nd on left). You can see how much I have pruned down several others in that planter that were growing to lanky and open without enough branching.
Other photos show how far down I have pruned plants in January that were 6 ft tall...
Farmer D
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
ChrisAZ
Posts: 6
|
|
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2015, 03:55:20 PM » |
|
Thanks Charlie and Farmer D for your replies. I plan on giving it a good prune in the next week or two, depending on how warm my nighttime temps are. Thanks again for sharing your expertise.
Chris
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
|
|
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2016, 12:52:48 AM » |
|
A Dream Catcher topic needs some bloom photos...
Farmer D
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Brenden
|
|
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2016, 07:51:08 AM » |
|
I just thought about this idea as I was reading the comments. What if you went the vending route in essence just like braiding some a Hibiscus together as the branch becomes more stable use your discretion and possibly bend it outwards little and as it gets more bark here continue doing it but that's just a philosophy in my mind
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Brenden
|
|
|
|
ChrisAZ
Posts: 6
|
|
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2016, 07:04:14 PM » |
|
Just an update: My Dream Catcher is doing much better now, she even bloomed several times in December, and with more on the way  |
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
