It's not you, from what I've heard, that plant doesn't like Fl's humidity. It likes it dryer and less humid like Ca. I've had several die on me. One lasted a couple of years but then just gave up. I would suggest cutting back on the water and don't put it in afternoon sun. Let's see what the experts say. :o)

Hi
I was told that they need acidic soil much like gardenia. I mixed in a bag of pine bark fines along with some better soil. Along with afternoon shade. It's growing very well but I planted it in the parakeet cage and they remove every flower lol thinking of moving it out but have no more shade lol. does seem to do better in winter. gary

Yes, mine did better in the winter too.

Tibouchina?? Yes, they like well drained, dryer, sandy soil, very little fertilizer, and they grow fine here in zone 9B. Mine froze back to the roots and is on the way back from that. The dry curly leaves indicate some sort of root damage (most likely burning), although the rest of it looks marvelous...this can be too much fertilizer or fertilizer salt burn, too dry (sitting around potbound for periods of time with NO water), too wet (over watering when the roots are already damaged). With time and care these leaves will be fewer and fewer, as long as it is cared for...depending on the variety, these can get to be 15 feet tall, with a spread of 15 feet, not exactly a potted plant. Some cultivars (scratchy leaves) come from Mexico...heat and drought tolerant once established.

It sounds like I gave it too much of the wrong love. When I picked it up at Lowes it was bone dry and pretty limp.. then I repotted it, fertilized it like crazy and put it on the west side of my house and started watering it every day. LOL I'm going to repot it with some sandier soil with the pine bark and move it.. it just gave me my first flowers which were beautiful even though the leaves look terrible.

Thank you all for the advice! I really appreciate it!