Hibiscus Care Sheet

Hibiscus care sheet

To obtain the best results from your Hibiscus, the selection of the planting site is important.
Ensure you choose an open sunny position preferably, sheltered from the prevailing winds.
Full sun is suggested, although Hibiscus will tolerate part shade, excessive shade will reduce flower production.

In the Southern States (Vic. Tas.) Hibiscus planted against Northerly facing walls of brick or masonry will perform beautifully especially if protected while young (up to 2 years) from frosts. Frost protection, is simply, covering the plants on the night of likely frost with a hessian bag, paper or equivalent (Not Plastic).

Hibiscus plants have a non-invasive root system & are not known to damage pipes or foundations, they will grow quite happily with other shrubs provided the other plants do not compete for nutrients at the same feeder root level, Hibiscus feeder roots are between 30mm & 200mm deep IN THE MOISTURE zone.

Soil

Hibiscus prefer well drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.

Soils with a high percentage of sand or clay can be structurally improved with the incorporation of organic matter worked into the top layer of soil.

Once planted, Hibiscus thrive with generous amounts of mulching which will, retain surface soil moisture, release valuable plant nutrients, protect surface feeder roots from temperature extremes & encourage macro & micro-organisms within the soil.

If good drainage appears doubtful, the planting beds may be raised 14cm to 20cm.

Hibiscus cannot tolerate, “WET FEET” a term used whereby after rain or irrigation it takes more than 24 hours for puddles of lying water to disappear.

 Planting and Feeding

Dig the planting hole two times the width & depth of the container the Hibiscus has been grown in, back fill the extracted soil so as the top of the container soil is exactly level with the existing garden bed soil.
Please note if you have purchased a grafted plant ensure the graft area is not covered by soil.
Prior to back filling place a 1m garden stake on the prevailing wind side, position close to the root ball as possible but do not damage the roots.

Lightly tease out roots especially if finger penetration into the root ball is difficult.
Back fill soil, excess soil may be hilled around the hole edge to retain moisture.
Firm in soil to stabilize plant & tie up to the inserted garden stake. 

Water in well, to just prior to run off point, repeat watering as required. Mulch planted area to a depth of 6 cm to 12 cm deep, up to, but not directly against the Hibiscus main trunk. DO NOT FEED your Hibiscus immediately after planting.  

We have incorporated a special blend of fertilisers & trace elements which will be released slowly & will be available to the Hibiscus.

 When the plant has settled in about 1 month after planting, encourage more growth with light applications of a complete fertiliser may be made each month during the growing season. Water in well after each fertiliser application. Hibiscus prefer a blend of N PK of 12:5:15 which is great for Vegetables, Citrus & Roses too.

Container and Pot Planting

All Hibiscus can be planted in pots or containers and happily spend their whole life in them. The size required is 400mm-500mm.

 Plants specified that are good for Bonsai may be planted according to Bonsai principle, or can be planted as a Hibiscus

 Pruning

Pruning is practiced for several reasons but the two main ones being to shape the plant & produce more vigorous growth & in turn more flowers.

The ideal time to prune Hibiscus is just prior to the new seasons’ growth in Spring, usually about September sometimes later in cool regions but never prior to the last frosts expected in frost prone areas.

Hibiscus are pruned according to their growth usually about one third as a rule of thumb, e.g. If your Hibiscus is 3 meters high bring it back to 2 meters.
In tropical regions pruning maybe practiced all year round but avoid the wet seasons

Every few years the Hibiscus may become woody & it is advisable to rejuvenate the plant by cutting back severely to the main trunk to three main branches this will revitalize the old plant & give it a new lease of life

Winter Care

Hibiscus can handle any temperature above 1 degree, when plants are young, it is better to either cover them during frost (Frost protection, is simply, covering the plants on the night of likely frost with a hessian bag, paper or equivalent (Not Plastic)), or bring them into a well-lit room until the frost is over.

Insecticides