|
Q. Do I have to water them every day?
A. Hibiscus do not like wet feet, but neither should they be allowed to dry out -- especially in hot weather. Organic matter in the soil and mulch on top help to maintain a constant level of moisture in the summer. In pots or not, good drainage is very important!
Q. How much sun?
A. They do like a lot of direct light, but under a blazing sun from dawn 'til dusk with temperatures in the 90s, 32+(C) and many of these hybrids will reduce their blooming. A little shade during the heat of the day and they will reward you with more and larger blooms.
Q. What do you do with them in the winter?
A. In climates where freezes are common, growers will keep all or most of their plants in pots so they can be brought inside - devoted to this. Another advantage of potted plants is that they can be lain on their side and are, therefore, easier to cover and protect when left outside. Tropical hibiscus can only withstand freezing temperatures for a brief time before there is damage. In milder climates (USDA zones 9&10), if you can trap sufficient ground heat by covering your plants, you may be able to prevent freeze damage to plants in the ground.
Q. How and when do I prune?
A. It's best to prune when the tender new growth that results won't have near-freezing temperatures to contend with. Many will prune a third to a half of a plant at a time so that they will still get some blooms from the unpruned branches. Use sharp shears and prune just above an "eye."
Q. What pests attack hibiscus and how do you control them?
A. Try to control aphids, thrips whiteflies and spider mites before they have established themselves. Remember that a happy and healthy plant has a better chance of dealing with insects and diseases.
Q. Why does my hibiscus have yellow leaves?
A. Basically, for two reasons: 1. The leaves are old and the plant is discarding them. 2. The plant is under some stress. That stress may be from a too strong dosage of fertilizer it recently got or its soil has been too wet recently or some insecticide was applied improperly or its root system was disrupted or lighting conditions in a new location are very different from the old one. It could also be a disease. There are many possible reasons. Sometimes yellow leaves (from stress) are indicative of a problem and sometimes it simply indicates a temporary discomfort the plant is having.
Q. How large will they grow?
A. Some of the garden varieties may grow to heights of 10-15 feet or even more. Most of the hybrids won't get nearly that large, in fact, some may only grow a few inches a year. Being in the ground or in a pot and pot size are also factors.
|
