This article provides 10 organic secrets and tips to increase flowering in Hibiscus trees, whether they are grown in pots or in the ground. The tips are easy to follow, and you can maintain blooms in your Hibiscus plant throughout the year. The article emphasizes the importance of organic gardening and avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to protect the environment.
The tips cover a range of topics, including repotting, container size, location, sunlight, watering, pest control, raking or tilling the soil, potting soil, fertilizer, and pruning. Each tip is explained in detail, with specific instructions on how to apply them to your Hibiscus plant. By following these tips, you can ensure that your Hibiscus plant produces big, beautiful blooms all year round.
Key Takeaways
- Repotting should be done after allowing the plant to settle down for at least one week.
- Choose a container that is wider than the usual nursery pot, but still not too deep.
- Keep your plant away from traffic and pollution, and mist it with water or clean the leaves with a soft cloth to prevent dust accumulation.
Repotting
When it comes to repotting a hibiscus plant, it is important to wait at least one week after bringing it home before doing so. This allows the plant to settle into its new environment. During repotting, it is recommended to mix in important ingredients such as steamed bone meal powder or organic rock phosphate. These ingredients are great sources of phosphorous, which strengthens the root system and is necessary for flowering and plant growth. Additionally, mixing in mycorrhizae fungi or beneficial bacteria such as pseudomonas and trichoderma powder can also be beneficial. When choosing a pot size, it is best to go for a wider container rather than a deeper one to encourage flower production. The container should be graded in size, increasing by 2 inches each time the plant is repotted.
Container Size
Choosing the right container size is an important factor in boosting the flowering of hibiscus plants. A wider container is recommended to allow for proper root development and faster results in flowering. However, it is important to avoid choosing a container that is too deep as this will cause the plant to focus more on root development rather than flower production. For example, if the plant came in a 6-inch container, it is recommended to go for an 8-inch container. It is also important to repot the plant every year in a graded manner by increasing the pot size by 2 inches each time. This will ensure that the plant has enough space for proper growth and flowering.
Location
Choosing the right location for your hibiscus plant is crucial for its growth and flowering. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Keep your plants away from traffic and pollution. Dust accumulation on the leaves can impair photosynthesis, which in turn reduces plant growth and flowering. It can also reduce the flower size. To prevent this, mist the plant with water and clean the leaves with a soft cloth or gently pressure wash your plants while watering.
- Place your plant in a location where it gets adequate direct sunlight. Hibiscus needs at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight for proper flowering. Without direct sun, you cannot expect hibiscus to flower. If it’s too hot, you can install a 50% green shade net in summer season to protect it from noon sunlight which can sometimes cause leaf burning and drying.
- Ensure that your plant is not exposed to extreme temperatures or harsh winds. Hibiscus prefers a warm and humid environment.
- If you are growing your hibiscus in a container, make sure it is not too deep. A wider container than the usual nursery pot is recommended but still not too deep. This will help the plant focus more on flower production.
- Lastly, consider the soil pH and drainage in your location. Hibiscus prefers slightly acidic soil with good drainage.
Sunlight
One of the most important factors for boosting flowering in Hibiscus plants is providing them with adequate sunlight. Hibiscus plants require at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day to produce flowers. If the plant does not receive enough sunlight, it will not flower. In the summer season, it is advisable to install a 50% green shade net to protect the plant from the harsh noon sunlight, which can sometimes cause leaf burning and drying.
It is also important to keep the plant away from traffic and pollution, as dust accumulating on the leaves can impair photosynthesis, which in turn reduces plant growth and flowering. To get big-sized flowers, misting the plant with water and cleaning the leaves with a soft cloth or gently pressure washing the plants while watering can be helpful.
Watering
Watering is an important aspect of maintaining healthy and blooming Hibiscus plants. If you are growing your Hibiscus tree in containers, daily watering is a must, especially during the summer season. However, during winter, the frequency of watering may depend on the zone you live in. It is important to check the drainage hole of your container and ensure that water flows out of it after thoroughly watering your plant. Water stagnation can result in root rot and death of your plant.
It is also important to note that overwatering is not a concern if you have a patent drainage hole and are using a well-draining soil mix. Daily watering and deep watering are recommended for container-grown Hibiscus plants.
If you have Hibiscus plants growing in the ground, it is important to water them deeply and regularly. The frequency of watering may depend on the climate and soil conditions of your area. It is recommended to water your Hibiscus plants early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize water loss due to evaporation.
In summary, watering your Hibiscus plants regularly and deeply is crucial for their growth and blooming. Ensure that the drainage hole of your container is patent and that you are using a well-draining soil mix. For ground-grown plants, water them deeply and regularly, preferably early in the morning or late in the evening.
Pest Control
To keep the hibiscus plant healthy and blooming, controlling pests is crucial. Regular examination of the plant for pests and insects, including the underside of the leaves, is highly recommended. Common pests like whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs can be easily eliminated using organic neem oil and liquid soap spray weekly once. To treat pests, add 5 to 10 ml of neem oil per liter of water and a few drops of liquid soap, depending on the ppm concentration of your neem oil brand. Shake well and spray this once every week. As a preventive measure, spray this every 15 days.
Raking or tilling the soil is another important step everyone must follow before applying any fertilizer or manure to the plant. Raking or tilling the soil is recommended once every 15 days, which improves soil aeration and has many benefits. Make it a habit to rake the soil and then apply your fertilizer every 15 days.
Water stagnation can result in root rot and death of the plant. Check for the patency of the drainage hole of your container. Make sure water flows out of it after you thoroughly water your plant.
Remember to keep your plant away from traffic and pollution. Dust accumulating on the leaves can impair photosynthesis, which in turn reduces plant growth and flowering. It can also reduce the flower size. If you have no option to shift the plant to a better location, misting the plant with water and cleaning the leaves with a soft cloth is a solution. Or if you have lots of plants, then using your watering hose in shower mode and gently pressure wash your plants while watering is another option.
Lastly, pruning or trimming the plant branches encourages the formation of more branches and hence more flowering. Deadheading of the flowers from time to time is also crucial for maintaining blooms. Removing the dead and dried flower along with its twig or branch will divert the energy to plant growth and more flowering rather than seed formation.
Raking or Tilling the Soil
In order to increase the flowering of hibiscus trees, it is important to rake or till the soil before applying any fertilizer or manure. This step is recommended to be done once every 15 days to improve soil aeration and provide many benefits. Raking or tilling the soil will loosen the topsoil, allowing the roots to breathe and absorb nutrients more efficiently.
To properly rake or till the soil, it is important to use the right tools. A rake or tilling tool can be used to loosen the soil. After raking or tilling, apply the fertilizer or manure to the soil. This will help the roots absorb the nutrients more effectively and promote healthy growth and flowering.
It is important to make it a habit to rake or till the soil and then apply the fertilizer every 15 days to ensure that the hibiscus plants receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and flowering. By following this simple step, gardeners can enjoy beautiful and healthy hibiscus plants throughout the year.
Potting Soil
Soil pH
To ensure proper growth and flowering of hibiscus plants, it is important to maintain the soil pH level at around 6.0 +/-0.5. This slightly acidic soil pH level can be achieved by using alum powder or white vinegar. Adding 5 gms of alum powder in one litre of water once every 15 days can help maintain the acidic level of the soil. Alternatively, 1-2 teaspoons of white vinegar per litre of water can also be used weekly once to make the soil acidic.
Potting Mix Recipe
To promote adequate flowering in hibiscus plants, a potting mix consisting of 30% garden soil, 30% compost (cow dung or vermicompost), and 30% cocopeat or peat moss can be used. Additionally, 10% of bone meal powder, neem cake powder, mycorrhizae, Trichoderma, or other beneficial fungi can be added to the mix. This well-draining soil mix should be used to repot the plant after it has settled down for at least one week to its new location. During repotting, it is important to mix in 1 tablespoon of steamed bone meal powder for a 12-inch pot, which is a great source of phosphorous. Phosphorous strengthens the root system and is indispensable for flowering and plant growth. The vegan alternative to bone meal is organic rock phosphate. Optionally, beneficial fungi such as mycorrhizae fungi, pseudomonas, and Trichoderma powder can also be mixed in.
Fertilizer
When it comes to fertilizing Hibiscus plants, organic sources are highly recommended over chemical fertilizers. For optimal flowering, it is suggested to use decomposed cow dung, horse dung, goat dung, or vermicompost as a top layer of soil once every 15 days.
To further enhance the plant’s growth and flowering, compost tea sprays, mustard cake tea sprays, and other foliar feeds can also be used once in a while. Another option is to prepare a Cocktail Fertilizer Powder containing a variety of useful organic fertilizers.
It is important to rake or till the soil before applying any fertilizer or manure to the plant. This is recommended once every 15 days, which improves soil aeration and has many benefits.
It is also crucial to check the drainage hole of the container and ensure that water flows out of it after thoroughly watering the plant. Water stagnation can result in root rot and death of the plant.
Remember to avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides to protect the environment. Organic gardening is a better alternative that uses natural and organic sources of fertilizers and pesticides.
Pruning
Pruning is an essential step for increasing flowering in Hibiscus plants. Gardeners should not hesitate to trim the plant branches, as it encourages the formation of more branches and hence more flowering. Soft pruning or trimming can be done all year round, while hard pruning can be done once a year. Deadheading of the flowers from time to time is also important for maintaining blooms, as this will divert the energy to plant growth and more flowering rather than seed formation.