The Chinese hibiscus, Rosea sinesis, has flowers that
look similar to the hibiscus that is commonly grown in gardens. Chinese
hibiscus makes a stunning blooming houseplant with its 4” to 5” (10 to 12 cm)
flowers in many gorgeous colors. They come in single flowered and double
flowered varieties. A happy, healthy
hibiscus will reward you with a constant succession of these flowers. Here is how to keep that hibiscus happy.
Give Chinese hibiscus lots of light. A southern window
or sunroom location is the best choice. If you don’t have a sunny spot use a
grow light over them. Keep Chinese hibiscus warm. These plants require
temperatures between 55 to 85 degrees F.
Keep humidity around the plant high- 50-60 % relative room humidity is
ideal. It’s good for you too. Low humidity can keep flower buds from opening;
they will generally fall off the plant at a small size. Keep Chinese hibiscus out of drafts from
opening doors, leaky windows or forced air vents.
Plant your Chinese hibiscus in a lightweight potting
soil, not garden soil. Keep the soil in the pot moist at all times but never
let the pot sit in water or become too soggy.
If you can, use distilled water or rain water at room temperature. Touch the top of the potting soil to know if
the plant needs water. Don’t rely on a
schedule to water, water when the soil feels dry to the touch. A hibiscus that
is wilting can be too dry or too wet. Check the pot before watering.
Chinese hibiscus are an exception to the rule of not
fertilizing houseplants in the winter. Fertilize Chinese hibiscus regularly all
year round. Use a flowering plant,
water soluble fertilizer mixed according to directions for indoor plants, once
a month. Or use a granular, slow release
fertilizer for flowering houseplants as the label directs.
Remove dead flowers and yellowed or dead leaves
promptly. Trim off dead branches. Dust
the leaves if they appear dusty and examine your hibiscus regularly for
pests. A few yellow leaves on the plant
occasionally are normal but watch for lots of curled and yellowed leaves. Look for insects on and under leaves or fine
webbing on leaves and stems. If you are
having lots of disease and insect problems a hibiscus can be treated with a
systemic rose care product or a systemic houseplant insect and disease control
product. Follow label directions for potted roses. Keep pets from eating any treated plants.
 |
| Cajun series |
You can prune hibiscus to keep it from getting too
large and to encourage fullness. Tip each tall, upright branch in spring to
encourage side growth and fullness. Using bypass garden pruning shears cut each
branch back to the second leaf node from the tip. Cut just before the node. You
can prune back to just before any leaf node if you want to reduce the height or
width of the hibiscus. Make sure to
leave 2 to 3 leaf nodes on each stem or remove the stem completely. Hibiscus
can be pruned to look like a shrub or pruned and trained to look like a tree. Some hibiscus are sold with a braided trunk. Keep the long side shoots shortened on these
so the plant doesn’t look unbalanced.
Chinese hibiscus appreciate a summer outside, move them
outside when all danger of frost has passed.
Set them in a shady protected place for the first week so they can
adjust to the outside light then gradually move them to full sun. Remember to water them frequently in pots
outside and keep up the fertilization.
When you bring the plant back inside before frost expect it to lose some
leaves. It is adjusting to a lower light
level. New leaves should appear shortly. If you keep them in bright light and high
humidity, and fertilize regularly your hibiscus can give you years of flowers.
 |
| Hibiscus Kona |
No comments:
Post a Comment