Hibiscus advice

I know quite a few of you grow Hibiscus so thought i would post for some help.

our plant has four stems coming out of the soil, which makes me think there might be 4 separate plants in the pot. I think the pot we have is to big which is why it isn't growing in size during the summer months. Not seen any significant growth over the last 2 years. not sure if its because 4 plants are competing.

I'm planning on re-poting it into a smaller pot just wondered when the best time would be to do this and wondered what diameter pot you suggest for a plant 8-12" long?

If there are separate plants would you put the in new pots e.g. 1 plant per pot?

thanks for the help

 

Thanks Toni i think its the shrub version i took some pics to help.




Hibiscus in Pot ( photo / image / picture from Danjensen's Garden )

Close up of stems



Hibiscus stems ( photo / image / picture from Danjensen's Garden )


is there any issue with me repoting it now?

 

It looks like separate plants to me, but it doesn't look too big for the container. Do you fertilized it regularly? My first thought would be to replace some of the soil with new potting mix, instead of separating it. Adding a product such as osmocote may be helpful, too. As it absorbs moisture it releases the fertilizer encapsulated in the little spheres. It won't burn the roots unless you put way too much in the mix(which would be an exorbitant amount)and works only when there is moisture in the soil. Some potting mixes come with it already added, but it wont hurt to also fertilize the plant with something such as a manure tea or miracle grow.

If/When you go to replant it "tease" the soil away from the stems and tug gently to see of it will come apart, making sure you have previously watered the soil. I have taken a pair of pruners to cut the soil mass apart before, just make sure each part/stem has roots attached. Then proceed to transplant into your new containers with new potting mix.

 

I guess I don't have much advice that hasn't already been given, but I will cheer for you and your Hibiscus! I have one indoors for the winter that is quite happy and blooming regularly. In fact, it is doing better than it was when I bought it!
I have given it very weak water soluable fertilizer, and it seems to need a lot of water. I water at the first sign of drooping.
Do you have it outdoors in summer? They love heat and humidity!
Good Luck!!

 

thanks guys,

we don't fertilize it at all Carolyn. thanks for the osmocote advice.

how often would you apply the miracle gro?

 

Dan, I would start out with a regular recommended dose from the label. then every other feeding give it a weak solution of fertilizer. Most likely they are starving (literally) to death. That is why there is no growth. I would also suggest rain water or filtered water, not softened or city water. If you have some place to sit it (to keep it from ruining your floor covering/carpet) when you water it, make sure some water runs through the pot. Otherwise salts from the fertilizer or softened/city water can build up and cause root burn. Hope this makes your plant thrive now.

 

thanks carolyn appreciate the advice, I think I will repot, and use an inner pot that has drainage holes. then give it some feed.

 

Hi,I won't ever tell anyone what they should do with their plant but I had this same experience. I discovered my bushy hibiscus was really 5 plants in a 6 in pot.I had seen this same thing with a hibiscus my neighbor brought to me. There were 3 in hers & 2 had already died & I repotted the other but it was too far gone to save.I think she blames me to this day for the demise of her hibiscus.The growers do this to make a full blooming pot & it does look nice for awhile.
Anyway I repotted my 5 & they are doing great.I just read that hibiscus can be repotted anytime. I would think early spring would be a good time. Mine was left a bit too long & the roots were very i
intertwined. Sorta butchered them & it took a while for plants to start growing well.
And yes they require half strength fertilizer every week.
Good lick!
Doris

 

Dan, if your pot doesn't have drainage holes repotting it into a container with drainage is vital to it. You don't want it standing in water. this will rot the roots. Come summer, put it outside in dappled shade and let it get rained on (and the accumulated salts washed out, if you are seeing any white crust on the soil, that should be scraped off first). Your plant should thrive during the summer when it is outside. When you bring it back in in the fall,though, be warned, it most likely will drop most of it's leaves due to the humidity and light change.

 

thanks guys.appreciate the help and confirmation of my own thoughts.

i'm thinking that if there is 4 separate plants to break them up and replant them 2 to a pot nicely separated so the roots don't compete.

come early summer we will put them on the porch which is slightly shaded and see how they go.

thanks for the help

 

well had some free time so decided to repot.

As we all thought it was 4 plants in one pot from the very long roots i'm guessing the competition was preventing growth.

i've repotted them into smaller pots with and removed as much of the nursery soil as possible. i'm hoping they will produce a good root ball now.

come spring i'll check them and if possible trim out the old long roots. and give them a season to put on some good top growth and get healthy. ready to be potted up next year.

thanks everyone for the help