Whenever we get a few days of rain during the summer, local snail and slug populations practically explode. The little nuisances show up on sidewalks, walls, windows, and worst of all for gardeners.. they eat hibiscus leaves and blooms!
Snails & slugs are related species, and both thrive in hot, humidity areas. Even without rain, automatic sprinkler systems can combine with warm weather to create ideal habitat for these critters.
Continue reading Snails & Slugs, ugh!
With thousands of different cultivars developed over the years, there is considerable variation in the growth habits of hibiscus plants. It may take a little experimentation to find just the right location and micro-climate in your yard, especially for finicky show-quality exotics.
Continue reading Location, location..
Each year, around mid-to-late summer, gardeners often notice something unusual about the hibiscus plants they purchased in early Spring.
The new hibiscus plants had been compact, with dense foliage, and covered with blooms. Then, after a few months, the plants become gangly, with more stem showing between the leaf nodes. And the original lavish display of blooms that looked so great at the nursery is greatly reduced.
Continue reading Growth Regulators
Tropical hibiscus generally produce more blooms when given regular feedings of fertilizer. The best fertilizer mixes for hibiscus rosa-sinensis varieties are fairly low in phosphorus. That is the “middle number” of the markings on most fertilizer packages, so look for a mix that has proportions something like 20-10-20.
Continue reading Hibiscus Fertilizer