chinese lantern

23 years ago

HI everyone! Hope someone can help with my Chinese Lantern which has been grown as a standard with 3 plaited trunks, flowers in red, orange and yellow. It is a lovely specimen. I found out quite fast that it needs watering alot (even though all info on it says average water need]. It's pretty protected in the pergola, gets good light but not harsh sunlight [being in outer corner,mainly morning sun] also a bit of breeze, except yesterday, it was like a cyclone and I moved it to amore protected spot. So after that long winded explanation I'm finally getting to the point of the problem, which is- I noticed yesterday some leaves are going yellow. What could be causing this? Over watering perhaps, though I check soil before I water it and it sure lets you know when it's dry as it droops terribly! Does anyone out there in "garden world" have a Chinese Lantern in large pot as thirsty as mine? I have to water nearly every second day. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Brenda.

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Comments (8)

Jan_Willem
23 years ago
Is this one the kind you mean,Brenda??
dreamsarefree
Original Author
23 years ago
Hi Jan, no my Chinese Lantern has paler green leaves and the flowers are pendulus, bell shaped not as open as the pictured one. The botanical name is Abutilon Hybridum and is Dwarf type growing to about 1.5 mtrs. which is the height [about] it is now. Thanks, Brenda.
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Carole_NSW
23 years ago
Brenda - I have a single Chinese Lantern in the ground - just a young one that is now settling in well. My first thought was yours in so thirsty maybe because you actually have three plants taking up the watering in that pot. Have you got any water saving granules in the potting mix - you could sprinle some Saturaid or such on top of the soil to help out and retain moisture longer.
dreamsarefree
Original Author
23 years ago
Thanks Carole,I've only had my Chinese Lantern for about a month and I don't think there's any water retaining granules in the soil. Your idea is a good one and I'll put in Saturaid on the weekend. Thanks so much for your help. Cheers, Brenda
hart_tohart
23 years ago
Hi dreamsarefree.
I think you may have a combination of minor problems that are easily fixed.
Abutilons need full sun to thrive but will survive in partial shade
rich soil
a cool root run
lots of water
3-4 week feeds
A hungry or rootbound speciman will show yellowing & falling of leaves
Repot when roots fill the pot, prune to maintain shape & rotate the pot regularly

Hope this helps, Jill
cranethie2
23 years ago
Jill, what would you recommend to feed the Abutilon?
If the feeding is 3-4 weeks for a tree in a pot, how frequently would you say for one in the ground?

Cathy
hart_tohart
23 years ago
Cathy I don't have a strict regime, just a balanced complete fertiliser that covers several plants in the ground with the main one early spring. Don't have time to fuss but pot growing is a differant thing as watering constantly will use up the nutrients from the soil a lot faster...not an expert, but think the general rule of thumb is to keep topping up.

Jill
hart_tohart
23 years ago
Sorry, I should have said to only make the feeding small amounts for potted types, don't want to end up with all green leaves & no flowers.

Jill