Hibiscus Help
#1
06-04-18, 08:21 PM
Hibiscus Help
Hello,
I have a couple of Hibiscus bushes that I'm not sure how to care for. Can someone help? These plants generally look like they're dead, but every spring they green up and bloom. I would greatly appreciate any advice.
The question numbers correspond to the photos.
1. This main branch is showing no green. I think its the second year in a row. Should I just cut this off at ground level?
2. There is a clump of new shoots coming up. I assume I should encourage this?
3. Some branch tips show no green. Should these be pruned?
1. This branch is showing no green. Prune it?
2. There are new shoots popping up under the bush. Are these from dropped seeds that can be transplanted?
3. This bush is very dense. Should it be thinned?
I have a couple of Hibiscus bushes that I'm not sure how to care for. Can someone help? These plants generally look like they're dead, but every spring they green up and bloom. I would greatly appreciate any advice.
The question numbers correspond to the photos.
1. This main branch is showing no green. I think its the second year in a row. Should I just cut this off at ground level?
2. There is a clump of new shoots coming up. I assume I should encourage this?
3. Some branch tips show no green. Should these be pruned?
1. This branch is showing no green. Prune it?
2. There are new shoots popping up under the bush. Are these from dropped seeds that can be transplanted?
3. This bush is very dense. Should it be thinned?
#2
06-05-18, 06:07 AM
Group Moderator
1. Yea, at this point if there are branches with no green I would prune them off. Since they are dead there is not much harm in pruning them now.
2. The shoots coming up right at the base of the plant are probably part of the plant. Ordinarily you would prune them off a healthy plant. But in your case if the main plant appears to be dying I'd let them grow and when they get big enough prune to become your new main plant.
3. Keep in mind that plants in nature don't get pruned. Many plants can benefit from it especially if you want to encourage things like blooming or producing fruit but for most plants pruning is not "required". If you want to prune for aesthetics that's OK.
2. The shoots coming up right at the base of the plant are probably part of the plant. Ordinarily you would prune them off a healthy plant. But in your case if the main plant appears to be dying I'd let them grow and when they get big enough prune to become your new main plant.
3. Keep in mind that plants in nature don't get pruned. Many plants can benefit from it especially if you want to encourage things like blooming or producing fruit but for most plants pruning is not "required". If you want to prune for aesthetics that's OK.
#3
06-05-18, 08:03 PM
Thanks for the info. I could use a little more if you have it.
I know what you said about the clump of new shoots at the base, but what about single shoots that pop up a foot or two away from the base. Are they directly connected to the main plant, or are they completely new plants?
I know what you said about the clump of new shoots at the base, but what about single shoots that pop up a foot or two away from the base. Are they directly connected to the main plant, or are they completely new plants?
#4
06-06-18, 06:20 AM
Group Moderator
The water shoots popping up a few feet away are part of the main plant coming up from the roots. That's one way the plant reproduces. Cut them off if you don't want them but DO NOT spray with herbicide as that will also affect the main plant.
If you want to propagate I let the water shoots get up to about 18". Then with a shovel go about a foot away and cut straight down with a shovel in a line between the shoot and the main plant. Do not dig it up. You just want to cut the root connecting the two. Cutting the root forces the shoot to grow and survive on it's own and leaving it in the ground undisturbed gives it a better chance of surviving. Then after the shoot has survived a month or two on it's own you can dig it up and transplant it.
If you want to propagate I let the water shoots get up to about 18". Then with a shovel go about a foot away and cut straight down with a shovel in a line between the shoot and the main plant. Do not dig it up. You just want to cut the root connecting the two. Cutting the root forces the shoot to grow and survive on it's own and leaving it in the ground undisturbed gives it a better chance of surviving. Then after the shoot has survived a month or two on it's own you can dig it up and transplant it.
