Hibiscus for Outdoor and Patio use
What a difference a week makes. The flowers are really starting to pop on the Hibiscus. It is truly a beautiful sight to see thousands of plants with red, pinks, oranges, and yellows to name a few in flower.
We’ve discussed ‘Florist Grade’ Hibiscus and now we’ll look at the other Hibiscus, the ones produced for outdoor or patio.
Hibiscus Production
The ‘Florist Grade’ plants are normally grown as bushes in Greenhouses. The outdoor/patio types are grown outside as bushes also, but we find a lot of tree forms or what are called ‘standards’ produced.
The bushes are produced the same as the ‘Florist Grade’ from cuttings. Tree forms are normally grown from air-layers. Air-layers are a commonly used method to propagate plant material (that is a whole story in it self).
Stock plants are grown in the ground and reach a height of 6-8 feet. The branches are then trimmed, removing the side branches making one long straight stem (which stays on the tree) about 36 inches long. The base is then wrapped with spaghnum moss and foil to retain moisture.
Roots form and then grow into the moss. These air-layersare removed from the stock plants and planted into containers. Each stock plant can produce 50 to 100 plants per year.
The plants are then trimmed, and shaped into forming a small tree. This process takes 12 months for a 10” plant. Some growers also take 3 or 4 air-layers and braid them together.
Characteristics of the Outdoor/Patio Hibiscus
The outdoor/patio hibiscus is taller, more open, and has lighter colored leaves then the ‘Florist Grade’.
The facilities to produce the outdoor/patio type are:
- Outside growing areas (acres and acres)
- Overhead irrigation
- Some method to keep the plants from blowing over in the wind.
Culture
You’re going to get the most flowers and best growth by placing your Hibiscus in full sun. Try to keep the plants out of windy areas. The plants will thrive outdoors where the night temperature normally doesn’t drop below 50 degrees. Hibiscus are used outdoors in tropical climates for landscape. Avoid excessive cold and hot areas.
It is important that you keep the soil of the Hibiscus moist at all times. Saturate the soil at each watering. To test and see if you need to water, place your fingers on the top of the soil; if it feels dry to the touch it is time to water your Hibiscus. Water your plant at least 3 to 4 times a week (outside). Don’t allow the plant to sit in standing or puddled water.
Hibiscus respond well to normal house plant fertilizers. Trim the branches to maintain the desired shape.
Hibiscus flowers open daily and last for only one day, after which they die. Your plants will probably have flowers that have opened during transit and have fallen off and started to rot. This is normal! Simply remove all wilted or unsightly flowers and keep grooming daily.
Aphids can occasionally attack new growth, look at some of the insecticidal soaps as an option to control them.
While visiting your garden center keep this in mind. Hibiscus are heavy drinkers and aggressive feeders. Look for plants that are full, and have good color. They will probably need a good drink when they get home.
Plants that are losing their bottom leaves can be a sign that the plants are not being watered well enough or the plants were in transit too long.
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