So very non-traditional structure, variegated Portulacaria Afra has been neglected the last two years so the structure and branch fill are not great atm. Step 0. Is gonna be taking her back to a large grow pot or ground until her growth picks up until next year. But wanted to hear what y’all think about long term style…

She is always going to be weird and the nebari (dual linked base) is cool to me if not ideal/traditional – and is spreading much wider radially at the soil level though you can’t see that – so certainly lifting her when repotting. Trying to decide long term canopy:

  1. ⁠Leave her alone / restyle to let the top fill in for a broad Savanah style canopy with lots of flaws / crossed branches.
  2. ⁠Take her back to the yellow and spread for a broader 12” high mother daughter arrangement.
  3. ⁠Take her back to the red (or even further to just both main stems) and do a tight 6” mother daughter.

I don’t mind sitting on this one for a while, or transferring her into the ground for a couple years to let canopy regrow. Worth the reset for more traditional canopy or let it ride? I do like the broad savanah look once it is wired properly and fills in healthy as is, but many flaws. Want to hear the communities thoughts, thanks!

by awbrooks19

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