Garden hibiscus, the care and propagation of which is within the power of everyone, is frost-resistant, ever-blooming and evergreens. Its flowers can be either simple or double, and they are very bright and colorful. Hibiscus can bloom with yellow, red, purple, pink or white flowers.
Plant varieties
Garden hibiscus can be divided into 3 types:
- Bush hibiscus With. This variety belongs to slow-growing plants with a large number of branches. Bush hibiscus can bloom throughout the entire season, the diameter of the flowers is from 5 to 25 cm. If you form several types of bush hibiscus into 1 trunk, you can get small beautiful trees covered with flowers.
- Herbaceous hibiscus With. This species can be described as a large bush with strong branches and large leaves, sticking out in different directions. The flowers of the herbaceous hibiscus reach large sizes- 40 cm in diameter. The bush dies off every autumn, and young shoots appear in early spring.
- tree hibiscus. With proper care, a hibiscus tree can reach 6-7 m in height, while it is covered with an abundant crown and small flowers all season long.
All 3 varieties have one characteristic feature- a flower can only live for 1 day, but as soon as the bud fades, it is immediately replaced with a new one, and therefore the flowering of the plant seems to be constant.
Hibiscus care
Caring for this crop is not difficult, but everything needs to be done regularly - this is the only way to grow a beautiful and neat plant that will delight its owners. Whatever variety the hibiscus belongs to, it is important to remember that the plant loves bright sunlight. At least once a month it needs to be fed with nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers. However, in extreme heat you should not fertilize the flower; in this case, it is best to simply spray it thoroughly with water. Spraying should only be done when the sun begins to set, otherwise the plant may simply burn out. Closer to autumn, you should stop feeding the flower with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and replace them with potash ones.
A plant like hibiscus is very fond of aphids. To prevent its occurrence, it is advisable to plant a lavender bush near the hibiscus, since its smell repels insects and prevents their appearance. Growing and caring for lavender does not cause any problems.
Hibiscus propagation
How to propagate hibiscus depends on its species. For example, tree hibiscus propagates by cuttings, seeds and through grafting. In addition to these methods, herbaceous hibiscus can also be propagated by ordinary division of the bush. Shrub hibiscus plus everything can be propagated by layering.
Seed propagation Best done between January and March. Before starting work, the seeds should be kept in Epin solution for 9-11 hours, and then washed with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Prepared seeds should be sown in pre-moistened soil, and after finishing work, cover the container with the seeds with glass or cling film. The optimal temperature for hibiscus propagation is thus +20…25ºС. The surface of the soil must be moistened as it dries, not forgetting to remove the resulting moisture from the glass or film. The seedlings can be transplanted into a separate container only after the young shoots have individual leaves. In May, the strengthened seedlings can already be transplanted into the garden in a permanent place.
Blooming hibiscus grown by seed method, begins only in the 3rd or 4th season, and it is worth noting that some decorative properties are lost.
Cuttings are the most common method of plant propagation among both amateurs and professionals. Reproduction can be carried out in this way in 2 ways:
- Treat the branches of a plant with several buds cut in summer with a composition intended for the growth of the root system and immediately plant it in a container with soil. As soon as the cuttings have roots, they should be planted in separate pots and left for the winter, and in the spring they can be planted in a permanent place.
- Place cuttings with buds cut in summer in water, previously mixed with a solution to stimulate root growth, and leave in it until the first roots appear. Next you should proceed exactly the same as in the previous option.
When propagating hibiscus through cuttings, there is a high probability that it will begin to bloom in the first year after it is transplanted into the ground.
Reproduction of hibiscus by division is not only the most quick way, but also the most faithful for flowering. Bushes must be divided in early spring To do this, you need to completely dig up a three- or four-year-old bush and divide the rhizome into several parts. When dividing a bush, you should follow the rule: for 1 individual plant there is no more than 1 trunk. If the plant is older, then you can leave several trunks on 1 plant. The resulting sections must be immediately sprinkled with ash or crushed coal.
The holes for planting the plant must be prepared in advance, since the flower must be immediately planted in the ground after division. The first feeding of the plant can be carried out no earlier than 2 or 3 weeks after planting in the ground. This propagation method is good because hibiscus can please its owners with flowers in the first season after planting. It is important to remember that planting should be done in the early morning or at sunset, but in no case during the day when the sun is still high.
Bush pruning
Pruning plays an important role in hibiscus cultivation, so it is important to know when and how to do it. Some people believe that young shoots of a plant should never be pruned, but this is not so; they must be pruned, since only in this way can the hibiscus be given the correct shape. beautiful shape and improve its flowering. Plants must be pruned annually; this is best done at the end of February or beginning of March. The branches of the plant must be cut to at least 1/3 of their main length.
Anti-aging pruning is carried out in the fall, usually if the bush has become very thick. During autumn pruning you need to cut off all the dry branches, leaving only the most necessary ones, i.e. skeletal. Anti-aging pruning should be carried out regularly, i.e. at least once every 3-4 years - this will help strengthen the plant and make it even more attractive and beautiful.
The genus Hibiscus includes more than 220 species of deciduous or evergreen shrubs and herbaceous plants of the Malvaceae family. The vast majority of species are native to warm tropical regions and are therefore cultivated as houseplants in temperate climates.
Only two representatives of the genus are able to withstand frosty winters and the most popular of them is the Syrian tree hibiscus - ornamental shrub, caring for which in open ground does not require much time and effort.
Syriac or garden hibiscus(Hibiscus syriacus) is native to the temperate subtropical regions of East Asia and is the official symbol of South Korea. In many countries it is often called the Rose of Sharon or the Syrian Rose.
Description
Garden tree hibiscus grows quite slowly; in its natural environment it can reach a height of more than 3 meters and a width of 2.5 meters. IN garden culture is a low bush or standard tree from 1.5 to 2 meters in height.
The shoots are rigid, straight, poorly branched, covered with dark green jagged leaves that appear on the shoots in late spring.
A distinctive characteristic of many varieties of Syrian rose is their late flowering period - from late July to October. This feature and exotic appearance flowers made the tree hibiscus a real pearl of the outgoing summer.
Large flowers are formed on the shoots of the current year and, depending on the variety, can be simple, semi-double, double, with wavy petals along the edge, single-color or two-color, often with a contrasting eye in the center.
Color is available in a wide range color range– snow-white, lilac, purple and all shades of red. The most valuable forms are lavender-blue and blue-blue in color.
Popular varieties of Syrian hibiscus with photos
"Pink giant" with very large dark pink flowers.
"Blue Bird" - blue-violet flowers with a dark red center bloom from June to August. The growth is up to 15 cm per year.
"Joan of Arc" - snow-white double flowering lasts almost until November.
"Rosalba" - large pink flowers with a red center, they look as if they were cut from silk. Blooms from July to September.
“Red Heart” - a spectacular contrast of white petals and a red center. Flowering from July to late September.
“Pink Flirtation” attracts attention with very large purple-pink flowers with a burgundy center.
Delicate pink flowering of the Aphrodite variety.
Hibiscus "DUC de BRABANT" is an impressive variety with double, dark pink flowers.
Hibiscus variety "Ardens" - large, double, lilac-pink flowers with a burgundy center.
'French Cabaret Red' is an impressive variety with large double lilac-pink flowers.
Another gorgeous double hibiscus is the 'Lady Stanley' variety, reminiscent of a peony with two-tone white and pink petals and a burgundy center.
Semi-double hibiscus Chiffon series, which includes several impressive varietal forms: “Blue Chiffon”, “Lavender Chiffon”, “Pink Chiffon”, “Chinese Chiffon” with red veins on the petals, “White Chiffon”.
"Marina" (syn. Blue Satin) is one of the valuable Syrian blue hibiscus.
There are forms with extremely decorative variegated leaves, such as "Purpureus Variegatus". The flowers of this variety are not very large and are only half open, so the flowering lasts longer than other varieties.
"Danica" - double flowers with red and pink spots on white petals. Flowering from late July until the first autumn frost.
Planting garden hibiscus
The best time to plant hibiscus is in the spring, when the soil warms up above 15 ̊C. Despite all its winter hardiness, the species is quite sensitive to severe frosts, so it takes time for it to take root and strengthen.
For the good development of the ornamental hibiscus shrub, it is extremely important to choose right place, which should be warm, sunny and protected from the wind.
Like, the crop grows well on permeable, sandy loam soils with a high humus content. Soil reaction is neutral to slightly alkaline.
Before planting the seedling, dig a hole twice as wide as the size of the root ball. The distance from buildings and other plantings should be at least 1-1.5 meters.
Variety "Pink Chiffon" At the bottom of the pit, lay out a 15-centimeter drainage layer of broken brick or crushed stone, then the same layer of coarse sand, which is sprinkled with compost mixed with soil. Place the roots in the hole and cover with a pre-prepared soil mixture of the top layer of soil, compost, sand and peat, taken in proportions 2:3:2:1.
If the soil is initially enriched with sand, then a drainage sand layer is not needed. The root collar after planting should be slightly below ground level. The seedling is well watered with about 7-10 liters of water.
Immediately after planting your garden hibiscus, you should cut all shoots in half. This procedure, reluctantly performed by gardeners, is aimed at forming a dense and lush crown, as it stimulates the growth of new shoots.
The plant grows in one place for about 20 years, so hibiscus is transplanted only when absolutely necessary and only for young specimens.
Features of caring for Syrian hibiscus
The Syrian rose is unpretentious in care; it is enough to follow a few growing rules so that the green pet will delight you with magnificent blooms every season.
Variety "Marina" Tree hibiscus requires a constantly moderately moist substrate without stagnant water. Watering is carried out regularly, not allowing the soil to dry out. However, do not overdo it, as over-irrigation causes root rot to develop.
To avoid problems, the topsoil should dry out between irrigations. Deep watering once a week in the absence of heavy rain will be sufficient. In dry and hot summers, water once every 1-2 days. Keep an eye on flowering - too little or too much water can cause flower buds and buds to fall off.
After watering in the summer, so that the soil does not form a crust, loosen it. The procedure gives oxygen access to the root system of the plant.
Caring for tree hibiscus also includes regular removal of faded flowers, which stimulates longer and more intense flowering.
Feeding
Due to the abundant flowering, the plant requires multi-component fertilizers with a predominant content of phosphorus, which stimulates budding.
Feed once every two weeks, starting from the beginning of June and ending no later than the end of August, so that the plant has time to prepare for winter. Potassium fertilizers are added to the last fertilizing. It is also useful to mix it with soil once a year in the spring and sprinkle it around the bush.
How garden hibiscus overwinters
Preparing hibiscus for winter is an important plant care process. Syrian rose is one of the most frost-resistant species. However, young seedlings, especially those planted in autumn, and some terry varieties most sensitive to low temperatures.
With the onset of frosts down to minus 3-4 ̊C, the root space of the bush is insulated with a thick layer of fallen leaves and spruce branches. From above, the ground part is covered with agrofibre or sackcloth, and spruce branches are applied.
Adult specimens protected from the wind, sunny place They can easily withstand frosts down to minus 15 -20 °C, but in snowless and severe winters it is also recommended to spud them and insulate them.
Make sure that the plantings do not rot at the end of winter - as soon as the danger of freezing has passed, and very coldy fall off, the covering from the bush and around the roots can be removed. In the northern regions, the crop is grown in pots and brought into a cool room with the onset of frost.
Pruning garden hibiscus
Sanitary pruning is carried out annually in the spring. Remove dried, broken and frost-damaged shoots. If the bush is too thick, thin it out slightly to ensure even sunlight and improve air circulation.
Branches with signs of disease are removed and immediately burned. If the ground part is completely frozen, then radical pruning is carried out. Soon you will see new shoots growing from the roots.
To form a standard hibiscus, one medium strong shoot is selected from a young plant, and the remaining branches are shortened to 2-3 buds.
Each subsequent year, at the beginning of spring, the lateral growing shoots are constantly shortened to 1 lower bud, allowing only the middle shoot to develop, the apical branches of which are cut off to give the shape of a sphere.
It should be noted that pruning hibiscus in the fall shortly before winter allows you to get larger, but not as numerous flowers. Although the spring procedure is stimulating abundant flowering, but the flowers themselves are formed of medium size.
Syrian rose is an excellent shrub for molded ones. Pruning for these purposes is carried out in the spring, giving the plantings a rounded shape.
Reproduction of hibiscus tree
The culture is propagated by seeds, cuttings and layering.
Propagation of garden hibiscus by seeds
Many varieties of tree-like Syrian hibiscus are easily propagated by self-sowing, so you can often find small seedlings under the bushes that sprout from fallen seeds. They can be carefully dug up with part of the soil and transplanted to a new location.
You can also sow the seeds yourself directly open ground in a warm, sunny place. Before sowing at the end of April, the seeds are kept overnight in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or simply in water. After sowing, water and cover with film, which is periodically removed for ventilation.
When sowing before winter, the crops are covered with spruce branches or fallen leaves. For information, hibiscus grown from seeds does not replicate the varietal qualities of the mother plant.
Propagation of tree hibiscus by cuttings and layering
Green semi-lignified cuttings 15-17 cm long are cut in the summer just below the leaf node, the lower leaves are torn off. A cut of cuttings is dipped in a special root-forming hormone, after which it is buried in a mixture of peat and perlite (2:1), watered and covered with a transparent bag.
Rooting usually takes about a month, provided the temperature in the greenhouse is 21-23 ̊C. Keep the soil moderately moist and periodically remove the bag for ventilation.
When growth begins, the cover is removed, and after another month, the strengthened seedlings are pinched and transplanted into open ground. Monitor soil moisture throughout the season. If your seedling has bloomed, it is better to remove the flower so that it does not weaken the plant.
Attention! Some varieties, for example, "Ardens" actively develop roots after rooting, but the above-ground part does not show signs of growth until the next season. Old leaves will fall off in early spring, and new leaves will appear from the internodes.
Video
Before wintering, young and tender plants should be well protected from frost by covering them with a thick layer of fallen leaves or spruce branches. Flowering can be expected in the first or second year of cultivation. Plants reach a height of 1.5-2 m in five to seven years.
In order to obtain a new seedling using layering, in mid-March the side shoot is tilted and secured with wire staples to the ground in a pre-dug trench 2-3 cm deep.
Cover with soil and keep it constantly moist for a month to speed up the formation of roots. When you see new growth, reduce watering. Layers for transplantation are separated from the bush in the fall or next spring.
Problems in care
With proper care and cultivation tree hibiscus, the culture is quite resistant to diseases and pests. However high humidity air can lead to the development powdery mildew or fungal leaf spot, which appears as brown spots.
Gray mold also occurs due to high humidity, causing flower buds to rot, leaves wither and fall off, and shoots die.
Diseases are treated with fungicidal drugs. For prevention, water the plantings in the morning and only at the roots, make sure there is good air circulation around the bushes.
Infection with a rust fungus, which causes yellowing and mottled leaves, is also possible. The disease is characterized by yellow-orange pustules on the lower surface of the leaf. Affected leaves are removed and burned.
Quite rarely, a plant can be attacked by spider mites and aphids.
Tropical plants have gained unusually wide popularity in areas with temperate climatic conditions. Growing hibiscus, for example, is not a particularly difficult process. It is enough to remember the basic techniques for caring for a bush flower, and know about the main features of the species itself. What is a garden hibiscus plant, how to grow it? own plot and how to propagate hibiscus? Read about it below.
perennial shrub Hibiscus is primarily distinguished by the presence of large flowers, the diameter of which can be about 12 cm. The buds have a variety of shades, but among the most common: white, red and purple. Interestingly, street shrubs begin to grow 3–4 years after they are planted in the ground, since they grow garden decoration pretty slow.
There is one more nuance regarding the flowering characteristics of hibiscus: its buds bloom literally for one day. During this period of time, it manages to open up, and by the evening it falls off. The next day, a fresh bud takes its place. If the cultivation and care of the shrub is provided correctly so that it blooms already in early June, then the flowering phase will come to an end no earlier than September.
As a rule, gardeners give preference to bush hibiscus if they want to decorate their site with a lush flowering plant. And all because this plant reaches a height of about 3 m and a width of 1.5 m. To achieve such parameters, you need to master the basic aspects of caring for a flower and study pruning technology. By doing it correctly, you can make your garden bush much more branched and lush, as well as stimulate its growth.
Types and varieties
Growing hibiscus is not a very burdensome process. With proper care, the shrub will decorate even a shady area in the garden. However, you need to choose based on the climatic conditions in your region. If we are talking about a temperate climate (for example, in Belarus), it is best to give preference to the following varieties of trees:
- trifoliate;
- Syrian;
- swamp;
- herbaceous;
- gardening
Interestingly, beginners may confuse the shrub with another variety - a garden one. That is why the first copy is often called tree-like. Its flowers are simple or double. Initially, their shade was either white or purple, but now there are many more varieties of tree-like hibiscus, and the palette of shades has been replenished with pink, red and blue.
What is good about swamp hibiscus is its frost resistance. In open ground it can be planted safely, because it tolerates temperatures down to -30 °C. Among the hibiscus species there is also herbaceous plant. Its flowers are quite large, and the bush reaches a height of about 3 m. This category includes many hybrid hibiscus (at least 1 thousand varieties have been bred by breeders). As for the trifoliate species, it is classified as medicinal annual plants. Its flowers are light yellow, and they open only in the morning for a few hours.
Optimal environment for of this plant– a well-lit and wind-protected area with light fertile soil, which allows moisture to pass through. The soil characteristics should be similar to the substrate in which you usually plant roses. garden plant It is recommended to plant in spring. Wait for the end of the night frosts and then safely plant the hibiscus. In this case, by the onset of autumn the bush will have become stronger and will be completely ready for the upcoming winter.
To ensure that planting and care are carried out correctly, try to follow all the recommendations of specialists. For example, if you decide to plant a tree-like plant on your site, the hole dug for the seedling should be twice as large as the rhizome of the flower.
Be sure to make sure there is drainage. To do this, you can take broken bricks. Then add a small layer of sand, compost and more sand (each layer should be about 10-15 cm thick). It is recommended to mix the soil itself with peat and sand. You will plant hibiscus in this composition. Upon completion of planting, be sure to hill up the plant: it will need to be watered frequently and abundantly, and this procedure will allow the water to go directly under the root of the flower.
It is not difficult to plant garden hibiscus and ensure cultivation according to basic recommendations. And in return you get something beautiful flowering plant, which will certainly decorate any corner.
Growing and care
IN summer period When the temperature is quite high and the soil dries out too quickly, you can water the hibiscus daily. Spraying is a good option for a garden specimen. Its leaves must be cleaned of dust. In this way, the flower will be saturated with moisture in a sufficient volume, and you will prevent the invasion of spider mites.
Trimming
You can provide complete care and propagation for garden hibiscus without much difficulty. It is also very important to be able to properly prune hibiscus. Since flower buds appear only on young shoots, formative pruning is recommended annually. It is advisable to start pruning in February, when the process of sap flow has not yet begun.
When the bush grows well, do not forget to start anti-aging pruning at least once every three years - remove old and dry branches, the bush can be replanted. It is advisable to start this procedure in early spring, when the flower is still dormant. The transplantation technology is no different from the process of planting young seedlings.
Reproduction
Garden hibiscus is propagated by both cuttings and seeds. Knowing how herbaceous shrubs reproduce, you can grow several such specimens on your site. It is best to propagate hibiscus by cuttings - using this method, you will get a rooted plant faster. Seedlings obtained after cuttings are rooted in soil or water. In general, hibiscus reproduces without the use of complex agricultural techniques.
Disease and pest control
To preserve a herbaceous plant for many years, you need to know how to feed it in spring and winter, as well as how to prevent pest invasion. Most often, hibiscus is threatened by spider mites. You can get rid of it by treating the flower with special preparations; the main thing is to notice the first signs in time (yellow dots on the leaves and cobwebs).
As for common ailments, these primarily include chlorosis. It manifests itself due to a lack of fertilizers, especially iron. That is why do not neglect feeding the herbaceous plant. The bush should also be fed in order to avoid the occurrence of fungal diseases. Let the flowering of the grown hibiscus be bright and long-lasting.
Video “Caring for garden hibiscus”
From this video you will learn how to properly care for garden hibiscus.
Garden hibiscus is a shrub with hundreds of species. Beautiful, graceful flowers with a refined aroma attract and surprise people. Of all the species, only a few are suitable for growing in our climate. Among them: Syrian and trifoliate hibiscus and some others. Almost all types of plants are frost-resistant, but the Chinese species in our latitudes can only be found in rooms or greenhouses.
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Caring for and propagating the flower is not problematic, which is why novice plant growers love it. The name hibiscus can hide not only a familiar shrub, but also a full-fledged tree, or, conversely, a herbaceous plant. Herbaceous garden hibiscus does not have such a long life; it is classified as an annual plant.
It is simply impossible to confuse this plant with any other: all hibiscus have large beautiful notched leaves, bright attractive flowers, the color of which can vary from white to purple. In a number of varieties you can observe double color of the flower. Modern garden hibiscus includes more than 500 forms of the popular plant.
Types and varieties of plants
The most common species is the Syrian. A shrub of this species can reach a height of 6 meters. The leaves grow up to 10 cm in length, the flowers are solitary. Their color depends on what type of species you purchased. You can often see double flowers blooming. Rarely does this species grow not as a shrub, but as a full-fledged tree. Of the variety of varieties, four can be particularly highlighted:
- Diana;
- Vayelit Ilar Double;
- Pink Giant;
- Carneus Plenus.
The varieties differ in the height of the bush, the color of the flowers and their doubleness. The colors Vayelit and Karneus are interesting - they are exotic, representing a combination of several colors.
The first one will delight you with purple flowers with a bluish tint, and in the middle of the flower you can see red spots.
The second variety has powdery pink flowers with a contrasting crimson spot in the middle.
Another popular type among gardeners is the trifoliate. It grows significantly lower than its counterpart - only up to 80 cm. The flowers are quite modest, their diameter most often does not exceed 4 cm. This species blooms only for a few hours at the beginning of the day, and the duration of flowering itself exceeds 30 days. With proper care, a new flower appears every day.
The next type of hibiscus is hybrid. It is a perennial, although it is herbaceous. A descendant of two species: holly and marsh – pleases owners beautiful flowering. This species has the largest flowers among herbaceous plants. For growing on plots, 4 varieties are chosen:
- Youth. The variety is bushy and can grow up to 1.5 meters. The flowers are large, up to 10 cm in diameter, their shape is a tulip.
- Late. A tall bush with a significant amount of foliage. The flowers are bells, dark pink in color, and their diameter usually does not exceed 7 cm.
- Pale pink. The tallest of the listed varieties can grow up to 170 cm. The flowers are tulip-shaped and can reach 12 cm in diameter.
- Pink porcelain. The variety is distinguished by a slightly smaller bush than in the previous version: only 130 cm. The flowers are bells, light pink in color, their maximum diameter is 12 cm.
Swamp hibiscus is not so common in our area; planting and caring for it are no different from other species. Moreover, the plant is distinguished by its beauty and usefulness.
Hibiscus planting and care
Before you buy a seedling, be sure to study the information about caring for it. You can start with how to plant hibiscus.
Initially, even before purchasing or preparing planting material, it is worth deciding on the planting location. If you choose the most suitable place for the shrub, it will delight you with its flowering for 20 years. Plant better in spring when there is no longer a risk of frost returning. The best place- where light penetration and protection from drafts are ensured. The ideal soil for the plant is light and permeable, and always fertile. You can place the plant among roses - they will not harm each other.
Before planting, it is worth preparing a hole in advance, which should be 2 times the size of the root. A prerequisite is a good drainage layer at the bottom. Broken bricks are used for this. A sufficient layer size is 15 cm. A mound of sand 10 cm thick is made on top of the brick. Next comes a layer of compost - it will require 15 cm. The compost is poured with 10 cm of sand. It is also worth preparing a mixture for filling the hole. For this purpose, soil is mixed with peat and sand. Optimal ratio components 2:4:1. The planting itself consists of placing the root in a hole and then covering it with the prepared mixture.
Important!!! The root collar after planting should be located shallow underground.
The seedling sprinkled with earth is additionally hilled, creating a circle for moisture. Watering is carried out in this circle, after which it is sprinkled with earth.
If it was not possible to plant in the spring, it can be done in the fall, only in this case the plant must be protected from frost with spruce branches.
Growing a plant is not difficult; even the most inexperienced plant grower can cope with its care. In the spring, with the appearance of young shoots, it is necessary to remove old dried branches. Mandatory procedure– loosening the soil around the bush. They do this regularly, while simultaneously removing weeds. It will also be necessary to periodically thin out the bush to prevent it from thickening. Feeding is required from time to time. It is produced from June to September, selecting samples containing significant amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen. Feeding frequency is once every 2 weeks. Closer to autumn, they begin to use options containing potassium.
The disadvantage of the plant is the short flowering time. One flower pleases for just a day with its appearance. However, having provided good care, you'll get a blooming flower every 24 hours, so them wilting won't be a big deal.
The planted bush must be watered regularly. In hot summers more than frequent watering, a signal that it is worth watering a flower in the evening is the dry soil underneath it. During drought this happens every day.
Be prepared for the bush to need pruning. In the spring, sanitary pruning is carried out, removing dry shoots. Formative pruning is also allowed. Some gardeners turn a bush into a tree. This process is quite painstaking and requires a lot of patience. When pruning in this case, only 1 trunk is left, removing all other branches up to 2-3 buds. In the future, pruning is done at the end of winter. In this case, only 1-2 buds are left from the side shoots, and 5-6 buds from the trunk. The crown of the tree begins to form when the trunk reaches necessary for the owner height. It is made from strong shoots that only need to be shortened by a couple of buds. The lower shoots will have to be removed constantly.
Sanitation is carried out in the spring, before sap flow begins. Remove old and diseased shoots. You should not leave branches pointing inward on the bush. Last year's branches are cut to 1/3 of their length - this will help to lay new buds. The more seriously you prune your bush, the more young branches you will get. This way you will significantly increase the flowering of the plant.
As you age, you will need anti-aging haircuts. To do this, you will have to remove all old, dead branches from the bush, and shorten the rest by 2/3 of the length. You can create an original shape when pruning by trimming the branches located around the main trunk to different heights.
Sometimes a hibiscus transplant is required. It is done in early spring and only if necessary. Usually the bush is first cut, and then, without waiting for the flowers to appear, it is replanted. After transplantation, the plant must be watered abundantly. Flowers will appear only a year after transplantation.
Reproduction
The handsome man is propagated by seeds, layering, grafting and cuttings. The most popular and simple ways– seeds and cuttings. The hybrid species can also be propagated by dividing the bush.
Propagation by seeds- the most familiar method to the average gardener. In this case, seeds are sown from the beginning of the year to March. Seeds are pre-prepared for sowing by keeping them in a manganese solution for 30 minutes. After this, a daily soaking will be required, but in an epin solution. When immersing seeds in the solution, make sure that they are only lightly covered with liquid. Sowing is carried out in prepared containers with a substrate of sand and peat. The sprouts are expected by placing the containers in a warm place. The optimal germination temperature is 25-27 degrees.
Ideal if you can organize additional heating below. The containers are periodically ventilated, accumulated moisture is removed, and watered. With the first leaves, the seedlings are planted in individual pots. Make sure there is sufficient lighting and do not allow the sprouts to stretch out. Planting in the place where the bush will live is carried out closer to mid-May.
Another popular method of reproduction is cuttings. The harvested cuttings should have 2-3 internodes. Treat the area where the roots should be with a root formation stimulator. Planting is carried out in a prepared substrate, in a greenhouse. Rooting takes about 30 days, after which the cuttings can be transplanted into pots.
The best soil for cuttings is a mixture leaf soil with peat, turf and sand. Cuttings need to be watered. The tops of the emerging shoots are removed - this is how tillering is stimulated. The formed bush can be planted in a permanent place, where it can bloom already in the same year. The main condition is proper care behind him.
Diseases and pests
Harmful insects and diseases rarely overcome the bush. This happens when it weakens, which can be caused by dry weather. During such periods, the plant suffers from a lack of moisture, which allows thrips, aphids, whiteflies and even spider mites. They fight pests by treating them with special preparations. Two treatments are enough to forget about their existence. The interval between treatments is 7-10 days.
The most common disease of shrubs is chlorosis. You can recognize it by the falling of the lower leaves. Moreover, the growing leaves will have a yellowish color. The cause of the development of the disease is a lack of nitrogen and iron, which should be added to the water when watering.
Often, shrub owners complain that it begins to turn yellow. This can happen not only from chlorosis, but also from injury to the roots, which happens when replanting a plant. If this happens, you should add a root growth agent to the water for irrigation. The leaves are also sprayed with a solution to stimulate root formation. Leaves may turn yellow when insufficient watering during periods of drought.
Another common problem for gardeners is the lack of flowers on the bush. This may be caused by the incorrect position of the bush: it should grow in a bright place. Another reason for this behavior may be a lack of microelements: phosphorus and boron. Proper and timely fertilization will help solve your problem.
Buy planting material hibiscus means making the right decision to improve your site. This beautiful ornamental shrub is unpretentious; caring for it will not take much of your time and effort. At the same time, it will delight you and the guests of your garden with its flowers for many years. You can buy seedlings and suitable fertilizers in any store in the city, or by placing an order online. Do not buy seedlings of unknown origin, as you risk giving money for a wild plant that has nothing to do with hibiscus.
Trust only professionals who know how to care for young plants and can give you advice on growing the purchased seedling. Choose the option that suits you in terms of height and attractiveness of flowering. The shrub or herbaceous plant you choose is up to you. In any case, the handsome man will please you and thank you for proper and timely care.
Hibiscus is a plant of the mallow family. It is very loved by gardeners, since almost all types of this plant bloom very beautifully. Hibiscus flowers, even within the same species, are very diverse. More than 200 species and about 500 varieties of this plant are known.
Did you know?A distinctive feature of all hibiscus is the short life of flowers. Each flower lives only one day - it opens in the morning and withers in the evening.
Three types of hibiscus are common in our latitudes. One of them is grown indoors and is better known as Chinese rose. Chinese hibiscus can be taken out into the garden in summer, but it is still considered indoor plant. The other two types of hibiscus are garden varieties.
Garden types of hibiscus
In gardens in southern Russia, Ukraine and Crimea, you can often find Syrian hibiscus, which is also called tree hibiscus. This flowering shrub, which can reach up to 3 m in height. Often, trunks are formed from it, resulting in a beautifully flowering tree. By planting several varieties very close together, you can create a standard tree with different colors from garden hibiscus.
Tree hibiscus is a perennial. It can grow in one place for up to 10 years. Blooms from June to September. The flowers of Syrian hibiscus can be simple and double, of various shades, but not large. But the second type of garden hibiscus, herbaceous hibiscus, has flowers up to 26 cm in diameter. Herbaceous hibiscus is also called swamp hibiscus.
Important!Hibiscus blooms in the second half of May, so do not rush to think that it is frozen and immediately throw away the plant. Herbaceous hibiscus is more frost-resistant and can grow not only in the south, but also in temperate latitudes. It is also covered with dry leaves or dry manure for the winter.
The varieties of this plant are also very diverse. The height ranges from 80 cm to 2 m, and the flowers have a wide variety of shades. The plant grows well in one place, but after 5 years the hibiscus needs to be transplanted to another place in the garden. Rises in the second half of May. Blooms from late June to early September. Sudanese rose, rosella, or hibiscus sabdariffa, comes from India and is grown in all tropical regions. From this type of hibiscus the drink hibiscus is made, where the dark red petals, cups and subcups of the flowers are used, they are called roses. All parts of this plant, except the roots, are edible. The plant can be grown at home in a pot, and the seeds can easily be found in a bag of hibiscus tea.
Caring for garden hibiscus
Hibiscus propagation
Hibiscus reproduces different ways:
dividing the bush;
By cuttings;
By layering;
Seeds.
Syrian hibiscus is best propagated by cuttings, and you can use the twigs that were left when pruning the bush. Cuttings 15-20 cm long are placed in water. The roots appear in 2-3 weeks. Then the cuttings are transplanted into pots with light soil.
Planted in the ground the next year. Herbaceous hibiscus is best propagated by dividing the bush in the spring, when the shoots grow 10-15 cm. Propagation by cuttings, layering and dividing the bush guarantees the preservation of the varietal properties of the plant. Both types of hibiscus can be propagated by seeds. Growing hibiscus from seeds at home is quite easy. You can buy seeds in the store or collect seed pods from bushes on your site when they are ripe.
But when self-collection seeds cannot be expected to produce a plant that exactly replicates the parent. Many gardeners specially pollinate the flowers of different hibiscus in order to obtain new variety. For better germination, you can put the seeds in the refrigerator for 2 weeks at above-zero temperatures. Sow one seed at a time in pots. Planted in the ground the next year. Tree hibiscus grown from seeds can bloom only in the fourth year, while herbaceous hibiscus will bloom in the second.
Rules for pruning hibiscus
Tree hibiscus is pruned in early spring. This is done to remove dried and broken branches, give the plant a more beautiful shape, or ensure abundant flowering. Hibiscus flowers appear on the current year's shoots, so in order to increase the number of flowers, Syrian hibiscus can be pruned before the beginning of summer. The plant responds very well to pruning and grows back quickly. Of course, pruning is more applicable to Syrian hibiscus, but herbaceous hibiscus can also be pruned. If the variety of such hibiscus is very tall, then it can be trimmed to the height you need. At the same time, the hibiscus will let out side shoots, forming a denser bush. But the flowers on the side shoots of herbaceous hibiscus are much smaller than those on the stem.
How to cover garden hibiscus for the winter
Tree hibiscus is less resistant to frost. Growing hibiscus in open ground is possible where the air temperature in winter rarely exceeds -20°C. A bush of such hibiscus is covered with dry leaves for the winter, the trunk is insulated with spruce branches or a frame is built, covered with agrotex or lutrasil. But with such insulation, there is a danger of rodents appearing under the bedding or intertrigo of the bark. If the tree is small, it can be transplanted into a tub and placed in a basement or other cool room until spring.