[graciegirl]

We planted four Hibiscus last year. One nearly died during the cold spell, one is big and bushy with lots of leaves, not many flowers and something is eating holes in the leaves and it has yellow leaves. The other two are blooming their hearts out, nothing eating them. The two that are blooming best are in the same general location.

I wish that someone could guide me here. They are such beautiful flowers. We enjoy them so much. What am I not doing with the floundering ones?

[Villager Joyce]

I think it is every Friday that a member of the university of florida extension department comes to the library in Pinellas. Take a sample of tbe leaves with you. Maybe some pics of locations. They will help you figure it out.

[600th Photo Sq]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

We planted four Hibiscus last year. One nearly died during the cold spell, one is big and bushy with lots of leaves, not many flowers and something is eating holes in the leaves and it has yellow leaves. The other two are blooming their hearts out, nothing eating them. The two that are blooming best are in the same general location.

I wish that someone could guide me here. They are such beautiful flowers. We enjoy them so much. What am I not doing with the floundering ones?

Here is my advice:

The bushy one..Cut it back..about 1/2 way, make the cuts at an angle..shape the plant as you work around it..begin from the outside..when finished a good shot of Miracle Grow would help. Aphids love Hibiscus especially the buds take a good look and use whatever plant pest control you use to get rid of them.
In late Nov. early Dec. cut them back about 1/4 then say mid March cut them back about 1/2 then fertilize and wallah...around June fertilize again.

For the little one that got hit by the cold coax it along with some TLC..and it should come back.

Aphids are public enemy #1 for Hibiscus tiny little green monsters. Here is an almost " Free " pest control solution formula.A generous 1 tsp of Dawn to a hand spray bottle of water..and your Hibiscus will be fine..forever more.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by 600th Photo Sq

Here is my advice:

The bushy one..Cut it back..about 1/2 way, make the cuts at an angle..shape the plant as you work around it..begin from the outside..when finished a good shot of Miracle Grow would help. Aphids love Hibiscus especially the buds take a good look and use whatever plant pest control you use to get rid of them.
In late Nov. early Dec. cut them back about 1/4 then say mid March cut them back about 1/2 then fertilize and wallah...around June fertilize again.

For the little one that got hit by the cold coax it along with some TLC..and it should come back.

Aphids are public enemy #1 for Hibiscus tiny little green monsters. Here is an almost " Free " pest control solution formula.A generous 1 tsp of Dawn to a hand spray bottle of water..and your Hibiscus will be fine..forever more.

Many thanks! Looking for an almost empty spray bottle right now.

[Madelaine Amee]

You were recently asking about Hibiscus. This site is probably the best Hibiscus site I have ever used. Tells you everything you need to know. The planting and soil information is invaluable if you want to grow great hibiscus.

Hidden Valley Hibiscus - Exotic, Tropical Hibiscus Hybrids

[autumnspring]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

We planted four Hibiscus last year. One nearly died during the cold spell, one is big and bushy with lots of leaves, not many flowers and something is eating holes in the leaves and it has yellow leaves. The other two are blooming their hearts out, nothing eating them. The two that are blooming best are in the same general location.

I wish that someone could guide me here. They are such beautiful flowers. We enjoy them so much. What am I not doing with the floundering ones?

I've learned to read before buying anything-including garden stuff. I too have noticed the hybiscus flowers at the brownwood farmers market etc and decided to read before buying. We are in zone 9 they are hearty zone 4-9-at least the hearty varieties so it not likely that yours died from the cold. They do die back to the ground and return from the roots..It is possible you dug out the roots or your gardener did. Also, they need a lot of water.
We are all stubborn. If, a plant is not happy where we want it, you can perhaps improve where you want to plant it or find another plant that is attractive and will be happy where you want to fill. RE: insects. Sounds crazy but I've read that insects will attack plants that are not growing well due to other reasons.

[Sandtrap328]

A neighbor told my wife about the Dawn in water spray for our hibiscus that was being chomped on by bugs. It worked like a champ and that plant is growing tall and making lots of beautiful yellow flowers.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

A neighbor told my wife about the Dawn in water spray for our hibiscus that was being chomped on by bugs. It worked like a champ and that plant is growing tall and making lots of beautiful yellow flowers.

Yeah, but I bet the blooms were red before the Dawn.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by Sandtrap328

A neighbor told my wife about the Dawn in water spray for our hibiscus that was being chomped on by bugs. It worked like a champ and that plant is growing tall and making lots of beautiful yellow flowers.

Thank you for letting us know it worked.

Am I correct in assuming it would be best to use plain, original Dawn? Line-extensions often are a part of P&G's branding of their iconic products. Dawn comes in various scents and added bleach, etc. -- Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I am going to try this on my other plants, back in Dawn's hometown. I have holes in leaves here and there. I figure it can't hurt to try.

But I plan to use the original, blue Dawn -- like they used on those much beloved ducks.

Dawn Patrol Boomer

[NotGolfer]

We have a hibiscus bush as well. It has gotten leggy and tall in the past, with yellow leaves. We cut it back, removed as many of the leaves as possible, fertilized then watered the heck out of it. It is now quite health and "bushy" looking again!