got a hibiscus today

[themonsheshe]

I live in vancouver bc, so I doubt there is a huge difference in our climates. I've found that a hibiscus is a particularly tricky plant to keep. I paid a fair bit for mine from a fancy garden center and the plant was fully bloomed, but within a week they had fallen and I took the plant back to be re-vived! the horticulturist thought my reptile room might be too hot, but in all reality this plant grows in some pretty hot places. Since then its become a house plant and has never re-bloomed and looks like crap, even tho Ive researched the care and followed instructions as far as fertilizing goes. I wish I could bring it back to its former glory.

 

[tryme]

Yeah they do say they need some real good sun for atleast a couple hours a day. I'm from london england where the sun isn't that great either. I'm just hoping for the best really. They are such real nice plants.

 

[nsalas2]

oh and nsalas2 people sya the 1st week it will look like its going to die. This is because it is adjusting. I can't say for deffinate if this is true but try not to over water or under water. You can find some real good care sheets on the net.

I'm watering it every 3 days. So hopefully that will be enough to get it back to normal. Thank you!!

Should I be taking out all the dry leaves or should I let them fall out on their own?

 

[addicted]

I live in vancouver bc, so I doubt there is a huge difference in our climates. I've found that a hibiscus is a particularly tricky plant to keep. I paid a fair bit for mine from a fancy garden center and the plant was fully bloomed, but within a week they had fallen and I took the plant back to be re-vived! the horticulturist thought my reptile room might be too hot, but in all reality this plant grows in some pretty hot places. Since then its become a house plant and has never re-bloomed and looks like crap, even tho Ive researched the care and followed instructions as far as fertilizing goes. I wish I could bring it back to its former glory.

If you're not using it for your cham, I've found that 'Bloom Builder' by Shultz fertilizer works quite well with Hibiscus. If they don't sell it in your area (I bought it at Wal-mart), just get a fertilizer that has the middle # largest, for example bloom builder is 10-54-10.

 

[themonsheshe]

I actually went to various different sites, and see that many specialty hibiscus growers make their own fertilizer. this one goes against what you mentioned as far as feeding http://www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com/care/feeding.htm

its the potassium they need not phosphorous which is the third number but really, if what you have is working stick with it!, ive loosely followed various things and still I have a real ugly plant. Any plant people I have over always comment on the hibiscus and say similar things regarding the blooming, basically that they could never get it to happen. Hell, at this point id settle for a real healthy non bloomer.....

being that this is a chameleon forum, all these fertilizers are most likely unhealthy for repitles. Im not sure mine would live if I didnt feed it?

 

[FooL111394]

I think I'm about to get a hibiscus for my enclosure they are awesome

 

[mdrossncsu]

I had my hibiscus outside for some sun and it got white flies :-(

 

[tryme]

Mine looks like its dead but it has a new bud which hasnt grown at all. On the other hand my pothos is doing great lol.

 

[themonsheshe]

I bought a pothos months ago in a pot with a stump embedded in it and has the pothos stapled to it so it grew up along it. So far this is the best plant Ive had for growth and it keeps on reaching out, in my free range room.

Its starting to look like a greek restaurant in there.....OPA!

 

[tryme]

LOL sounds great. I hope mine really goes wild you know. I've always wanted a proper wild looking enclosure.

 

[AndrewH]

even though the flowers look great, mine bloom and die in almost a 24 hr period. i think that is just their nature to just shed and regrow so fast? im not sure.

 

[addicted]

Mine do the same, but there are constantly new buds coming.
Are you guys familiar with 'deadheading' blooms?
If your Hibiscus is always kept indoors, there wouldn't be the chance of them getting pollinated (unless of coarse, you have bees in your house!)
But if it's kept outdoors the blooms can be pollinated and will form a seedpod, by snipping the blooms off as they're dieing, the plant puts it's energy into making a new flower, instead of offspring. It also makes the plant look neater, and where you snip will branch off to make 2 new ones!

 

[AndrewH]

Mine do the same, but there are constantly new buds coming.
Are you guys familiar with 'deadheading' blooms?
If your Hibiscus is always kept indoors, there wouldn't be the chance of them getting pollinated (unless of coarse, you have bees in your house!)
But if it's kept outdoors the blooms can be pollinated and will form a seedpod, by snipping the blooms off as they're dieing, the plant puts it's energy into making a new flower, instead of offspring. It also makes the plant look neater, and where you snip will branch off to make 2 new ones!

wow, thats alot of cool information, i rotate them every few weeks, dont see many bees, but i do get to see an occasional humming bird now and then.

 

[addicted]

I used to work in a greenhouse, I spent many hours deadheading! It can be slimy work if the plant is left too long

 

[tryme]

things are getting complicated lol. who would of thought there was so much to learn about plants.

 

[tryme]

Ok I need help. My poor hibiscus is dead I think. Well the leaves crumbled and fell off. Some are still attached. The actual stems are still quite strong and are rooted well. What went wrong? I seriously didn't over water it I'm growing concerned my pothis is going to go the same way. I'm so rubbish with plants. I put rocks inthe bottom and re potted them and everything. I try my hardest with watering. I.E water when top soil is dry etc. Whats wrong with me