Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis

[Sandy Loam]

Hello PalmTalkers.  I have a question about how to make Hibiscus bloom.

I have several Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis which are planted in a sometimes sunny location (partially shaded, but enough sun that blooming should be happening).  I try to keep them cut down to no more than a foot tall, as a matter of personal preference, but my Hibiscus clearly want to become trees/shrubs in size.

This year, they have hardly bloomed at all.  By contrast, last year they bloomed constantly during their first year in the ground from 3 gallon pots. Why do they no longer bloom?  Will they not bloom unless I allow them to grow big?  

[Silas_Sancona]

Keeping a shrub that wants to be a shrub at  a foot or two  in height would certainly limit whatever bloom production the plants try to generate. Also, Hibiscus require yearly application of a high Potassium, granular fertilizer+ micros, and a yearly application of Iron to grow/ bloom well. Ignore all the high Phosphorus garbage.. does nothing to encourage flowers and is actually bad for hibiscus over the long run.. let alone very bad for your soil. Too much nitrogen can also hinder flower production also.

Your sun exposure sounds about right ( ..actually what is recommended : earlier sun, some afternoon shade, more so where afternoon sun in the summer is brutal Vs. full, all day sun exposure) if this and your watering regimen are good, the issue is more than likely related to being limited sized wise, and/ or needing something they might be missing fert.- wise.  Let em grow a bit, and feed 'em in the spring.   A good Sul-Po-Mag should get the ball rolling. Hope this helps.

[Palm crazy]

Thats some good advise Silas Sancona ….Here's a good website that teaches you how to take care of your Hibiscus. http://www.nola.com/homegarden/index.ssf/2015/05/how_to_plant_prune_and_fertili.html

Edited November 26, 2017 by Palm crazy

[Nakheel1412]

Hi,

It might depend on the variety you are growing ;

Here in Rabat, our soil is extremely poor (podzolic), but that doesn't seem to bother the red variety of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ;

They flower a lot as long as we let them grow big ; They grow very fast even though we trim them multiple times a year and do not water them at all (they are massively planted here to cover enclosure walls);

What varieties do you grow? Some might be more demanding ?

Edited November 26, 2017 by Nakheel1412

[Sandy Loam]

They are mostly Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis.