This is one sad looking little Jitterbug

9 years ago

Except for occasional watering and rotating the pot, I left him alone for a couple of weeks. And this is the thanks I get

It lifted out of the soil on its side and the leaves curled down around the pot.

I repotted to straighten. My new mini has been is so slow growing I imagine it'll be years before it looks right. So sad looking now it's pitiful.

Did I do the right thing to trim so severely? Such a tiny thing to begin with!

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User

9 years ago

I'm still a newb so if i'm wrong..someone correct me. but I'm going to take a stab at responding...so maybe dont touch it until someone else chimes in lol..

according to violetbarns website "miniature variety is one that typically will not exceed 6″ in diameter at maturity"

I assume you have kept it in the same pot that you were sent with? i cannot tell from the last pic. I'm not sure how long ago you've purchased..but having quite a few plants I can say what others find easy to grow..i've had the most difficult time and vice versa...I dont think it'll take years for it to look right. Av's that I've gotten this spring summer that I have pruned when I got it..look really awesome now and are starting to show buds/blooms. From the last pic I cant tell if its potted a tad too deep. I'm not an expert but you could probably remove 5 more leaves to be "symmetrical." It doesnt look that sad looking to me..its cute! From the pics it will be a very pretty av!

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Comments (8)

sueok_gw
9 years ago
Please don't cut any more leaves off. Your little plant should be fine, I think. I have some that just insist on growing strangely, but you've given it a good pruning, and if it's going to be a nice specimen, it will with time. I baby them along for months, or even years, and finally dump them if they just can't behave themselves. :)

Sue
dviolet1 thanked sueok_gw
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User
9 years ago
To me, it looks like its pot is too deep, and like it might need some cleaning. I have a mini trailer that I keep in a 2.5" diameter/2.5" height pot, and it seems to like that. I clean my plants with a soft makeup brush (this one from E.L.F.), and it works great.

My advice is water lightly for a while, then repot once it's established and begins growing new leaves.

I had slow growth for a long time because: The leaves weren't clean enough, too much direct sunlight, and the fertilizer was too strong. 1/4 strength should be good for a mini.

It'll be a cute & pretty plant soon enough! It has a nice deep green and shininess to the leaves. :o)
dviolet1 thanked User
dviolet1
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Thanks for the reassurance all. I'm a lot more optimistic about its fate now. Yes I can grow minis. Yes I can grow minis. Yes I can...
irina_co
9 years ago
They definitely do better under fluorescent lights...6 inch above them...
Rosie1949
9 years ago
dviolet1 Remember "The Little Engine that Could"???,,,,,I think I can, I think I can, I think I can! Rosie
dviolet1
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Yep Rosie. And after reaching the top it's all downhill from there...

Uh oh, don't like the sound of that at all :/
dbarron
9 years ago
Sounds like: quick take leaves.