Traning Tropical Hibiscus into a standard tree form

Hello everyone!
Is it possible to train a tropical hibiscus into a standard form without grafting? I have a generic pink hibiscus that I can use as a test plant (see picture below, please). I've pinched new growth on the bottom so now it has somewhat longer main stem.
Is it on its way to becoming a tree hibiscus if I keep on pinching the new growth on the lower part of the stem? For anyone that's done this before, how long does it take for it to become a nice sized tree?
Thank you very much in advance!!

I'm by no means an expert on hibiscus or any other plant for that matter but I would say yes. I say yes because I have done it with my "morning glory" It is one single trunk about 4 1/2 -5 ft tall with a ball of growth at the top.

I started with a pencil thin plant form Logees which was about 4" in length when I got it. I have been growing it now for at least 10 years. It's kind of scruffy looking right now but i'll try and get a pic and post here soon.


dmichael

yes you can train as a standard but what is your def. of a "nice sized tree". Definitely a multi-season project. If you are training a tropical hibiscus, winter protection is important, even in your zone. Don't want to lose a project like this to freakish weather. It has happened to me and it's a bummer.

Hi

What part of the Bay Area are you in? I have a few standards it's not something I specialize in but I do it when I have a nice straight "trunk" and I know it's an upright variety.

How long it takes depends on what kind of conditions you are giving it. Hibs don't grow below about 58 degrees and since our weather (I'm in Santa Rosa Ca) is cold usually at night (though not tonight) the plants can only grow as long as the temp stays above that minimum temp. Also maximizing the fertilizer will speed up the process. How big a tree do you want? 3' or 4' or taller? It will take a while. Even for me in my greenhouses it takes a couple of seasons to get a nicely branched tree above 3'. They are nice though. Good luck with it.

David

Thanks everyone for the responses!

I'd be very happy if it makes it to 3', or at least looking like a mini tree sort of thing.

dmichael -- I'd love to see your standard morning glory. What a great way to tame rather invasive plants, I think I'm gonna copy that idea sometime!

Vossner -- this past winter definitely made me realize what freakish weather really is. Thanks for the advice!

David--I live near Milpitas, so it's somewhat border between East Bay and South Bay. The weather's been in the mid 50's for a few weeks now, starting this weekend it's been in the 60's. That's why I've been thinking of doing this project.

Thanks again, everyone! I'll be having progress report from time to time on this project.

Bailey, I think I misled you with the name. Morning glory is the name of the hibiscus that I trained into a standard.

This is a pic taken recently of the bloom


dmichael

This is a pic of the tree as i tis now. Sorry its not the clearest picture but I never claimed to be a pro photographer!!!

I pruned it a few months ago and it is just now starting ot fill out again and bloom. It tends to get a bit on the leggy side if dont keep it in check!!


dmichael

here's a little clearer pic. You cant really tell by the pic but this tree is at least 5ft tall



dmichael

Thanks for the pictures, dmichael!
Your 'morning glory' is beautiful, plus that's a nice shaped tree, too. Shows that patience really is a virtue!

Like I said its kinda scruffy looking right now I think!!! It has been at times very thick and full where you couldnt see anyhting but a huge ball of leaves. Since I grow it in a gh and space is an issue, I try to keep it to a more managable size instead of letting it do its thing like I did when I spent the summers actually out in the yard.



I think Logees is curently offering this one again for sale.