Abutilon - good indoor choices?

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Seaecho Phelan, CA(Zone 8b) Oct 19, 2007

I am thinking of trying a dwarf abutilon (flowering maple or "parlor maple") as a houseplant. What type or types would be best? I have lots of sunshine, so that is not an issue. I want one that stays as small as possible, even though I've read you can prune them by 1/3 to fit into your space. I like the peach, apricot, orange and red shades. I also LOVE variegated foliage, although its not an essential. I've had no experience with these plants, so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Randi

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plantladylin (Zone 1) Oct 20, 2007

Oooh, I will be curious to hear the response on this question too. I love the Flowering Abutilon's and have wanted one for a long time ... preferably that I could grow in a container on my deck!

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threegardeners North Augusta, ON Oct 20, 2007

I have grown them all indoors....they get nice and bushy if kept pruned back, and bloom all winter. I did notice however, they are prone to spider mites in my dry indoor conditions.

Post #4104039
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Seaecho Phelan, CA(Zone 8b) Oct 20, 2007

Thank you, Threegardeners. Spider mites are the pits, and I hope I never have to battle with them again! I had them on my mini roses that "were" doing so well, and constantly blooming. No matter what I did, I lost my roses. Then I a couple years later I got them on my plumeria. So that really makes me nervous. I also have very dry conditions. But boy would it be nice to have an abutilon blooming indoors all winter!

Randi

Post #4104484
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plantladylin (Zone 1) Oct 20, 2007

We have tons of humidity in our area so spider mites aren't usually a problem. Just a day or so ago someone was talking about a humidifier they bought at Wal-Mart for use in the house this winter and said it was only $17!

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Seaecho Phelan, CA(Zone 8b) Oct 21, 2007

Wow, $17! Actually, I DO have a humidifier that I got at Home Depot. It was close to $100, but I haven't even fired it up, and have had it over two years. The instructions say you have to clean it once a week, and mentioned all this other stuff you have to do, and it sounded like too much work to me. I spend plenty of time as it is taking care of plants every morning! So it bummed me out. . .

Randi

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Hoya_24 Waterville, VT(Zone 4b) Oct 29, 2007

I grew Abutilon's inside for a couple of years and found that they were one of the worst plants for attracting aphids that I have ever encountered. I finally gave up on them. Nice plant, easy to grow with enough sun, but to prone to insect infestations to bother with in my opinion.

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