Garden hibiscus, also known in many regions as the Chinese rose, actually comes from China and Taiwan. Its hallmark is its flowers and it is hard not to agree with the fact that they are not less attractive than rose flowers.
In India and China, hibiscus can reach even woody forms, but in Poland it is primarily a barren tree, although it can reach even 2 meters in height. What attracts so much interest among gardeners are the magnificent flowers, which are white, pink, blue, orange and even purple in colour. The glossy dark green leaves also look beautiful and they also make hibiscus difficult to grow, but there is no shortage of people who decide to take this challenge on their shoulders. As a plant of tropical origin hibiscus needs a lot of sun, so it is no wonder that in Poland it is cultivated mainly in warmer parts of the country.
Cultivation
Hibiscus should not only occupy sunny positions, but also positions that provide protection from the wind. It should be put into the ground after frost, and if you are dealing with a variety kept in a pot, it may be a good idea to put it in the greenhouse. The soil also has a great influence on the development of the plant, so it is recommended that it should be fertile, rich in humus and have an alkaline or slightly acidic pH. Not without significance is also the air, the humidity of which should be maintained at an appropriate level.
So if hibiscus goes to our house, it is best to hang an air humidifier on the radiator. It may also be an interesting idea to regularly spray the plant with water, although it is worth doing so in a way that minimizes the risk of soaking the flowers. Humid buds fall quickly, so it may turn out that excessive hydration will result in greater losses than a lack of hydration.
The soil in which the plant is located should also be irrigated regularly, but remember that the plant does not react best to damp substrates, so you should not transplant with irrigation. If the weather conditions are favorable and the care goes well, we can count on the flowers appearing in July and persisting even until the end of September. Since this is a period when many other plants no longer bloom, we have to deal with the big advantage of hibiscus.
Care
Another surprise for beginner growers is that the plant itself blooms quite profusely. So when it comes to forming buds, it's worth helping with additional support with fertilizers for flowering plants. Garden hibiscus is not fond of frost, so it should be covered in winter. For this purpose, hay is an excellent choice, although branches belonging to coniferous trees also prove to be effective. The list of necessary treatments also includes pruning. In spring, it is advisable to pruning young shoots, as this procedure contributes to the more intensive growth characteristic of the plant.
