I had a variegated cascade made from a Home Depot-type rooted cutting.
It took about 8 years to grow down to about 12+ inches hanging with
numerous side branches. I have a couple of small cuttings from that one
now. Variegated P. afra definitely grows slower than the other types.
With cascading variegated the branches seem to be thinner and more
brittle. They can take a few hours direct sun -- Arizona, we're talking
here.
The thin pale edge of lavendar on pale cream new buds is wonderful
against the waxy very pale green outer and greener inner surface of the
mature leaves. Rare were the begining side branches which at first were
just cream-colored. I hoped that they might be the start of an albino
sport, but, alas, green eventually developed on them.
And, yes, Home Depot-type establishments seem to have no clue about
caring for P.afra. The 2-inch liner pots with rooted cuttings which
I've seem are often dehydrated if they've been on the shelf in the
garden center a while. P.afra (variegated or not) does need an
occasional drink, folks.
Cordially,
Robert J. Baran
outside of Kingman, AZ Sunset Zone 10
5 days away from outside of Colorado Springs, CO Sunset Zone 2A/2B
Sue Marsh wrote:
Anybody tried bonsai with variegated plants? Specifically I've got a few
variegated Portulcaria afra' cuttings I got at Home Depot. I've been
subsequently told variegated plants have a tougher time as bonsai as the
lack of chlorophyll makes life tough enough for them, and that the
reduced leaf surface of bonsai makes it even harder. Makes sense, and
these guys don' get to be in full sun like their brethern. Thoughts?
PS Home Depot has no clue how to take care of Portulcarias! They are
with the cacti, which is true, but man they needed water... they don't
quite do as well completely dried and shriveled like the cacti!
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