Just defoliated,a gmelina.

Hello to All,

dusty leaves and the Gmelina says please defoliate me. Normally done once a year.
Shrub is over 10 years, but I am not sure how many years exactly.
About 14" [ 35 cm ] tall, and an easy shrub to grow, loves lots of sun.

Supposed to come from the Philippines, but I am still waiting for a native to show one.
So maybe it comes from somewhere else in the East ?

Generally with Shrubs, I treat the situation as no distinct mature shape and so the sky is the limit.
The bark has not begun to crack.
The wood will rot slowly, so I have taken the time to fill a few of the holes.

The Chinese call this - The Indoor Maple.
Every second set of leaves is similar to the Trident maples leaves.
Since this is, I believe a cousin to the Premna, the ,leaves are able to shrink down to this size [ ].

Look closely, and at the base of the shrub I have left 3 sizes of the trident type leaf.
I have set the tape measure to 4" [ 10 cm ].

Feel free to yay or nay on opinions.
Later.
Khaimraj

I like this shrub because it really responds to Grow and Clip [ Directional Pruning ]

I have a stock tree that was brought in by Pedro Morales... so perhaps from Puerto Rico?

It has proven to be a very strong grower and propagates easily.

I like where you are taking it. Would like a first branch on the right...

Its not from Puerto Rico either. We dont have them in the wild.

Just adding this in for some continuity -

https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t5671-gmelina-hystrix

later.
Khaimraj

I see here I did once know the age of the shrub - wow getting old am I

https://ibonsaiclub.forumotion.com/t4414-gmelina-h-the-unsung-heroine-hero-anyone-got-one

later.
Khaimraj