Here's a close up

Chuy, I have a big tree like this and still blooms happy. Not sure what that is though.... roxanne

Chuy, it's definitely sun burn. The amount of space you have at the top of the pot to where it meets the soil is too much and creating a super heated space / reflection on the stem. I would raise the plant up by adding dirt to the bottom and then cover the burnt area with a toilet paper roll, aluminum foil or something like that. The plant should survive if it doesn't get any more burned in that area. Hope this helps!

Elucas- thank you for your help- will take it completely out and add soil to the bottom like you stated and cover with foil. Will keep everyone updated.
Rox- lucky you- mine hasn't bloomed as of yet- only had it for about 10 months. Do you have pictures of yours?

Chuy

next time I have the camera in the garden I will snap one Chuy....

Aaah sunburn! I have a few plants suffering from that. I've (hopefully) learned my lesson -- when I don't plant high enough in the pot, I cut a piece of paper-towel roll cardboard and slip it around the bottom of the plant. It seems to work fine (as long as it's not getting rained on), and visually it's less distracting than foil.

Replanting would be ideal, of course, but I'm too lazy most of the time. :)

Rox- I tend to carry mine with me "everywhere" I go. ;-)
Daogirl- I think I might just do what you do and cut the paper towel cardboard roll and put it around the bottom to protect the burn. I feel like I might shock it if I take it out to add more soil to the bottom of the pot. Thanks for the idea

Chuy