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My favorite flower is Hibiscus. I have never had a problem until this year. I recently planted a tree Hibiscus in a pot and the leaves are rapidly turning yellow and there are no blooms. I have tried to water consistently, not overwatering nor letting it dry out too much. The pot gets a few hours of sun but not all day sun. I had a Hibuscus in the same spot last year which bloomed beautifully. I used Miracle Gro Potting Soil when I planted this and read that this potting soil is not good for most plants. I mixed a cup of vinegar to a gallon of water yesterday and poured on it because I had read online this may help. Any suggestions?
Hi Cherita...I hope I can help. I sounds like your hib may have gotten too much phosphorous. This will cause the leaves to yellow, and no blooms. I think you may be guilty of "killing with kindness"...hibs seem to do best when they are nearly neglected. I would do a couple of things here...
Check very closely to see if you have any pests...scale ( a white growth near the base of the plant and climbing up each branch) can be very tiny, almost looking like dried salt or something...easily removed with a strong water spray or brushed with alcohol and a very lite touch. Mealy bugs...a larger white fuzzy critter that munches on the plants juices ...again spray vigorously and then treat with a soap/alcohol/oil mixture.
If no pest, then you must be PATIENT! let the plant recover from whatever trauma set it off. Water sparingly when no leaves/blooms are present. Hibs don't need nearly as much water as most books tell you. Don't fertilize for a while...the hardest part is waiting. Chances are it will fill out again and bloom shortly after that.
You were absolutely right Shari! I practically "ignored" my Hibiscus, less water and fertilize, and it is now healthy and blooming. Thank you for your help!
