Any tips on pruning Rose of Sharon into tree form?

I am expecting to receive, via online ordering, a rose of sharon plant soon. I am sure the thing will be tiny and I really cannot do anything with it for a long while. But was wondering if anyone has experience with training into tree shape? My beloved grandmother had a rose of sharon "tree" which is why I bought this and want it to do well as it reminds me so much of her. But I don't really want a shrub, I would rather have it in the tree form. So I thought I might try getting advice now so that in 5 years (lol) when it becomes big enough I can prune it into shape. Any help is so appreciated and I hope I am in the right forum. LOL.

Thanks.

Leslie

Leslie,
I just plant mine in the ground and they grow into trees. My oldest is 5yrs, and 6 ft tall. My 2 babies I got last year and are 3 ft. If they grow suckers I would cut them of.
Kathy

If you have a central stem, remove all other stems and stake the remaining one so it will grow straight. Remove leaves on the lower half of stem. I have three very nice standards growing now and this is how I made them into standards.

Tussee

Here are two of my standards.

Tussee

I grow Rose of Sharon in tree form only. Advice given above is all good. But it's gonna be a 2-3 year project for the tree to look as such. In the first year or two they're gonna look puny--I just look the other way, lol. To achieve a full lollipop head, I will cut the upper branches in the early spring to promote fullness.

As a matter of fact, anything that I train into a standard is a long-term project, meaning 2-3 years.

i just noticed today that i have a seedling behind the shed out back. it had a bloom. the thing is 4' high. it wasn't there very long ago. at the most this year. it's been hot and very dry also. I can't imagine having to wait very long before you have to start shaping it. i also can't imagine how tall it would be if it was watered and fertilized.

I have two little durantas, one white and one blue, that are about 1 ft tall. Once I could tell they had "taken", I started snipping lower branches and leaves. With anything I want to train as a standard, I start trimming as soon as possible.

hey vossner it sounds like she might be pruning a lot sooner than she thinks. at least the couple of inches it will grow while in the mail. lol!

Also, Leslie, you can decide on the height you like and keep it within that range by thoughtful pruning. I prune in March before any new growth can occur in my zone 5b so that growth energy is not wasted. I prune hard to keep my trees as full and strong as possible. One of the two trees I pictured is two years older than the other but I'm hopeful one more growing season, and careful pruning, will bring them very close in size.

Tussee

This message was edited Sep 4, 2007 11:11 PM

tussee - I LOVE your trees!! I want my Schizos to look like that someday, and this has helped me a lot!! BTW - do you know if I can root the hardwood hib cuttings?

Amanda, I hope someone here will help you with your question. Mine were started by a friend.

Tussee

Yes you can root hardwood cuttings, sometime easier than tip cuttings.Heres a method I've used for years with much success. http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=3868525

Dave

I knew one of our experts would come forth and tell us how to root our hibiscus. The info has been filed. Thank you, Dave.

You sure are welcome, although I certainly don't consider myself an expert by a long shot. Lately I have been using Dip in Grow rooting hormone (per Kyle's advice) with very good results. I like it much better than the powders. With the easier to root varieties, you don't always need it though. If you have lots of material, experiment with the mixture and light conditions to see what works best for you in your particular area.For example, you may need more vermiculite for moisture retention, in areas that are less humid than in Florida. Also make sure your pruners are sharp so you don't crush the stems when taking them.

Dave

I took about 20 cuttings, maybe more, about a week ago and used the Dip 'n Grow and they are all looking good. I had to bring them into the house when I found out our temps were going to drop into the 50's at night, and so far, so good. Mine are in straight vermiculite.

WOW, that's INCREDIBLE!! Thanks!!