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HOW TO PLANT A HIBISCUS ( H. rosa-sinensis)dr_esreddy@yahoo.co.in

Hibiscus is one of the most dramatic shrubs you can grow to provideelegance to a garden. Their exotic blooms and glossy leaves add adramatic accent to temperate gardens. There are many different varietiesof hibiscus including perennial, annual, evergreen and deciduous varieties.

Step1

Select a planting site for tropical hibiscus in full sun that is protected fromthe wind. Heat and light promote blooming. A southern-facing wall is ideal.

Step2

Dig a planting hole twice as large as the root ball to help roots becomeestablished quickly.

Step3

Amend the planting hole with organic compost and perlite or crushed lavarock to promote excellent drainage. If your soil is heavy, consider plantinghibiscus in raised beds or containers.

Step4

Gently remove the hibiscus from the nursery container, sliding the plantfrom the can if possible. Otherwise, cut the can away from the root ball.Hibiscuses have delicate roots and the plant will suffer if they aredamaged.

Step5

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Plant hibiscus so that the top inch of the root ball is above-ground. Thisensures that the crown of the plant will not rot. Fill in the planting holewith organic compost until the desired planting height is reached.

Step6

Water immediately after planting to settle the soil. If the plant sinks,gently remove it from the hole, add more soil, and replant.

Step7

Mulch under plants to prevent moisture loss and weed growth.

How to Care for a Hibiscus

Step1

Water hibiscus when the soil is dry to the touch. The roots must remainconstantly moist, but not wet. Well-drained soil is key.Step2Fertilize hibiscus every 3 weeks with low nitrogen fertilizer (0-10-10)applied at 1/2 the label recommendation during the spring and summer.Phosphorous and potassium, the last two numbers on the fertilizer label,encourage flower production and root growth.

Step3

Tip prune hibiscus to keep the plants bushy and full of blooms. Pinch offthe tips of branches to encourage multiple growth tips further down thestem.

Step4

Apply a layer of organic mulch under plants to prevent moisture loss andweed growth.Step5

Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer at 1/2 strength when leaf color fades.Yellow leaves indicate a hungry plant or under-watering. The foliage shouldbe a deep glossy green. An application of a balanced slow release fertilizerin the spring will encourage new growth. Foliar feeding is acceptable.

Step6

Remove faded flowers to keep plants looking tidy. Grooming alsodiscourages insect pests by eliminating their hiding places.

Step7

Protect hibiscus from cold weather. Move plants grown in containers to aprotected area. Plants grown in the ground should be covered iftemperatures are expected to drop below freezing.

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Step8

Apply an anti-transpirant to protect plants from excessive heat or cold.Cloud Cover is a product which prevents moisture loss through the foliagedue to transpiration.

Step9

Watch closely for insect pests. White fly, aphid, scale and mealy bug arenotorious for dining on hibiscus. Use an insecticidal soap to treat unwanted

pests.

Tips & Warnings

Select hibiscus plants when they are in bloom to get exactly the color youwant.Grow hibiscus in containers and bring indoors during the winter if you livein a climate that drops below freezing.Plant hibiscus where it can receive the benefit of reflected heat, such asagainst a white wall.Hibiscuses are very showy when planted in an entry way or as a landscapeaccent.Tropical hibiscus requires excellent drainage. Its native soil is volcanic.The giant white fly is a recent pest in Hibiscus gardens. Hang yellow stickytraps near plants and encourage beneficial insects to dine by plantingfennel, dill and coreopsis near by.