Abutilon

Is there anyone else out there who grows these?
Alice

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I'm dying to get my seeds from a trader in Canada... and would truly love to know what these beasts want while growing. I think they are beautiful, and if anyone wants to trade some seeds, let me know. I think I have yellow on it's way. I'd love to get more colors. Thanks! - Amanda

yes...we have some in the greenhouse. Some of them sprouted up from between the gravel (where we accidentally dropped seeds.) abutilon...isn't this also called "flowering maple"? don't know what variety i have, wish I did. It has become one of my favorite flowers. Really great in a hanging basket!

Hi Everyone!
Glad to see someone else grows these! I started yahoo/ egroup for these under Abutilon should anyone here care to join (Dave, am I allowed to say this !?) It is open membership, I would love having you! (You too, Dave! thanks!)
Abutilon are also known as "Flowering Maple", "Chinese Bell Flower", and "Parlour Maple" They are members of the malvaceae family. Characteristics are maple like leaves and hoop-skirt papery flowers. Ideal temperatures are 60-85F, but can tolerate to 45F without damage. They come in a wide range of colours.. white, off white, pinks, yellows, oranges, reds, deep maroon-purples, two-toned veined, and shaded varieties. Also several varieties with variegated leaves.
Some abutilon can grow tall ..to over 12'! Other varieties vine. I fell in love with these my very first abutilon. It has not quit!!
Abutilon can be planted in the ground in warmer climates. I am zone 6/5. Mine are in pots in my greenhouse winter. I move outside in summer.
Alice

I have an orange one with variegated leaves...can't get it to produce seeds tho. I've hand pollinated it, but no seeds. I lost the heat in my greenhouse for 2 days and it got down to 15 degrees in there. I lost all the leaves off of it, but it is sprouting new leaves now. Whew!

I have a few of them. All are cuttings from one plant that was given to me a while back. It has orange flowers and varigated leaves. It seems to do best in a partly shaded area of the greenhouse. Cuttings root very easily.

OMG! Hi frank! I wondered how long it would take you to get here. You're going to love it here! This is home to some of the friendliest gardeners I know. Everybody, frank is a friend of mine and the person I ask when I have a question about gardening. He's also one of the funniest guys I know and really should have been a standup comedian!!!

Pete2

Would anyone be interested in sharing a cutting from their little plant?

Sure, I have a few that are already rooted. Just send me your address. I will send it priority, in order to avoid too much cold exposure.

Nepthys, Frank sends the healthiest plants! He sent me a HUGE box full several months ago. They arrived in perfect condition, too. BTW Frank, I found a picture in "The Tomato Growers" catalog of that pepper plant we were discussing. I was in total shock. I'm almost afraid to grow it in my garden!!! ROFLMAO

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Wow... that's great Frank! And mighty generous of you... please feel free to look at my list and let me know if there is anything I can share with you! I'll email you my address now! Thanks sooooo much!

Amanda -

I will share some of my cuttings when it is warmer. I am in PA where it is still winter ):
Alice

Abutilion - Where is California, PA? I'm about 15 miles from the border in NY... but over by Lake Erie in Chautauqua County. I've never heard of a Cali, PA. Lord knows there are enough weird names in that state. :)

Sorry MzMunchken, I'm afraid I don't. Heck, I don't even know what they are!!! LOL I'm over here reading about them from all you pros.:) What are they?

Pete2

Nepthys ..
Caliornia, PA is about 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Southwestern corner of PA. Quaint Victorian little college town, very picturesque! PA does have some interesting little places ;)
I have been to your part of NY. To Edinborough/Erie, PA most every spring. Big soccer tournament there.
Alice

Hi! I got my first abutilion plant today (dancing a jig). How silly of me. Thank you so much, Frank! My little baby looks find, and even has a couple small buds on it. I couldn't be more pleased, and thanks for the "bonuses"!

My bloom is opening on my abutilion today... a very pretty orangy-peachy color... I will try and get a photo taken of it to post!

My bloom is all happy and open! It is beautiful against the variagated leaves. You are my best friend now, Frank!

I'm glad you like it. When it gets bigger, and it won't take long, you can take cuttings from it. They root very easily.

Do they like to be root bound? I don't want this to get TOO big... wondering if you can control the growth somewhat... and I noticed I have two other buds already!

Abutilon should should be repotted at least once a year and some of the old soil replaced. You can remove some of the outside roots while doing this. You can keep the top smaller and compact by pinching the tips. But then you are pinching off your buds ): so do this to shape and then let bloom.
Some varieties of abutilon grow tall and stretched. Others vine,. And others more compact. My fav abutilon to grow now is Burpee's Summer Sherberts. They grow upright, but bushy to only about 24" tall. And huge 3-4" flowers in shades from white, pinks, red, yellows, oranges, and bicolours. Can be seen at Burpee's catalogue site online.
Alice

Thanks, Alice!