So sorry to hear that.My DH would be extremely sad if ours did that. Did you use a high nitrogen fertilizer or foliar feed?

Katkin, I wonder if the fact that you keep yours trimmed had anything to do with it reverting? I saw lots of them as huge shrubs at PB Zoo, and they were variegated all over. As big as they are, I don't think they trim them much.

Please do let us know how it looks when it grows back!

Lisa

I did fertilize it with the rest of the shrubs in that bed a while back, spring time, but I don't think it was high in nitrogen and I haven't done it since. In my last post about it, Joel, from Morningstar, suggested I do this and that variegated plants always want to revert back.

I knew that if one branch reverted on a variegated plant it needed to be pruned off or the whole plant could revert. But this seemed so fast or maybe I didn't notice it. I don't think keeping it pruned as a standard would have anything to do with it, but who knows. Isn't yours a tree form, Lisa? The trunk is so big around it hardly produces any leaves anymore.

Katkin, both of mine are standards (tree form, single trunked). The trunks are about the size of an average upper arm.

I remember that your tree had much more green on it than mine do. I'm sure that it varies from tree to tree. Mine has more white/red than green. They are beautiful plants and stand out so much in a landscape! I hope yours comes back with vivid colors.

I'll get a photo of mine today.

Lisa

Two photos are below. Notice the feet in the pot in the 2nd picture(G).

My two Mahoes have done well with neglect. I did find some branches that had more green-based leaves than the rest. Now I'm afraid to prune them, until I hear how your tree responds. Obviously, the low-hanging branches need to be removed, but I swear that they *are* standards under there(G).

Another colorful standard on my patio, is the croton. The green and yellow splatters/dots look so bright and cheerful!

Lisa

Lisa,is that a chicken under your Mahoe?

Lisa, yours has more all white leaves then mine did. But mine did have the variegated leaves and also the brown leaves in the beginning. The only prunning I did on it, was to train it to be a standard. I got it as a very small plant. Yours was already a standard when you got it. Since mine is in the ground, it grew to 15ft tall and the trunk, like yours, is as big around as your upper arm. And yes, I did see the little chick in the pot. :o) Maybe that poo keeps it variegated. lol

It was covered with beautiful yellow flowers, but I want the variegation back. lol

Where is Eric from Lou or Jerry from the zoo? Did I do the right thing? I guess it is too late now, if it was wrong. lol

I always cut off the non-variegated parts of my plants. I have this routinely happen on my variegated tapioca and on my variegated golden dew drop.

So I would have done what you did! If I had to guess I would say you did it too late but that is just a guess. Speaking of Eric, when I had a silk floss tree root stock competing with a shaving brush graft he did recommend cutting off the silk floss as it was more vigorous. I did so but it continued to sprout at a ferociuos rate. I kept on it and I think the shaving brush is finally getting a growth spurt of its own.

Do you want me to root you some more Mahoe? I have that and would be happy to get some going for you.

Anita

Thanks for the offer Anita, but I'll wait to see what mine does now. I did still have a leaf or two with some variegation on it. My variegated tapioca does the same thing and that one I see it right away and get it cut off. For some reason, I just didn't notice this tree till it was mostly green. :o(

What a beautiful plant! I have to get one, I love Variegated plants. Lisa your chicken feet are a riot. How are the girls, anyway?