Abutilon help!

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DaleP6 Sarasota, FL(Zone 9b) Feb 11, 2004

I was sorting out some old pots and found a pitiful abutilon that had been thought dead and put with the old pots. It is a straight "stick" with a few leaves and the most beautiful yellow bloom. How can I save it and get some foliage? Poor thing...it has worked so hard to survive I have to do something for it!

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jkom51 Oakland, CA(Zone 9b) Feb 12, 2004

Wow, that must be one tough little plant! Usually mine act like fragile china that have to be constantly coddled. If they weren't so beautiful I'd give up on them!

They like moisture and bright shade or partial sun (no hot afternoon sun where you and I live). Strong feeders although don't start feeding it until it actually puts out some leaves for you. And watch out for aphids, they love this plant. Good luck and hope it lives.

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DaleP6 Sarasota, FL(Zone 9b) Feb 12, 2004

With it only having one stem/trunk about 14" tall there is no place to "prune". Do you think it will send out side shoots now that it is out of the junk pike?

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jkom51 Oakland, CA(Zone 9b) Feb 14, 2004

It will depend on what type of abutilon it is--some of them naturally grow upright, others tend to sprawl and send out lots of lateral shoots. I wouldn't prune it at all until it's at least several feet tall. Good luck!

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maggiemoo Conroe, TX(Zone 9a) Feb 16, 2004

Dale, I encourage you not to give up on the abuliton. I also had one that I thought was dead, and sort of cast it aside. I never got around to actually sending it to the compost pile, and was suprised when I noticed it got some new leaves. I didn't coddle it or prune it, just potted it, gave it organic fertilizer, and kept it watered (and sometimes I didn't do a good job with that.) Here's a picture I took later that year, in July (It did send out side shoots.) It has been a constant joy to me in my garden. Good luck with yours!

Thumbnail by maggiemoo
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DaleP6 Sarasota, FL(Zone 9b) Feb 16, 2004

What a well composed picture, Maggie! I will keep an eye on him and if he turns out half as beautiful as your, it will be well worth the effort. He has struggled along this far, I hope my tender loving care doesn't kill him!

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