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Abutilon bushes.

valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
in Plants
hi, can anyone tell me what to do with my abutilon bushes. They have grown high, about 10 ft. Not flowering very well but lots of leaves. Do I cut it down completely or just trim back. If I leave it alone will it flower eventually do you think? Megapotanicum is only 4 ft high but flowering profusely, how am I supposed to treat it. Many thanks for any advise. Val 

Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Hello Val
    Normally Abutilon shrubs can be cut back in the Spring by about one-third ; try to leave some side-shoots if posible to encourage bushiness .
    I believe they flower on the current years growth , so you'll do no lasting harm .
    I used to have a 4' Ab.megapotamicum 'Variegatum' which I never pruned . Succumbed to the vicious cold of 09/10 unfortunately .
    Are you in a particularly mild area ? Yours have done well to reach 10' !
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    Hi Paul,  thank you for your post.
    yes, I live near the sea, south Devon so I don’t usually loose plants from winter freezes. Soil is sandy though and needs constant food. My abutilon Wisley red is the tall one and a lovely yellow and orange which I think was called Indian summer is about 6 ft and flowers all the time, splendid at the moment. I don’t mind wisley red being tall but I prefer flowers. If I leave tall and feed would I get flowers or just get taller do you think?  Val 
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Hi Val
    At their rate of growth I would still be inclined to prune lightly , just to maintain a decent shape .
    Re:- plant food , I always use MiracleGro soluble feed ; low nitrogen but high in necessary trace elements .Maybe encourage more flowers and less growth . I use this on all my plants , potted & outdoors .
    I too live near the sea (E.Lincs) ; often much milder than inland ; that is until the 'Beasts from the East' set in :o
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    Hi Paul,
    sorry you had the beast from the east, what a devil.
    Thanks for the advice, I will be able to get up to about 8 ft to prune. obviously, I have been giving it the wrong feed, NPK by the handful and cow manure. Will try the low nitrogen. Thanks Val 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    High potash feeds like tomato fertiliser are good for encouraging flowering. 
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • valerierobertsvalerieroberts Posts: 726
    Hi Liriodendrum,
    Thats an easy one for me as I have some. Tomatoes are one of my most loved greenhouse crops and they thrive well on it. Thank you very much. Val
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