Re: Hibiscus

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• To: H*@ulkyvm.louisville.edu, i*@prairienet.org
• Subject: Re: Hibiscus
• From: "* O* <e*@ibm.net>
• Date: Thu, 03 Jul 1997 07:21:11 -0400

At 04:44 AM 7/3/97 -0400, you wrote:
>In a message dated 97-07-02 19:15:27 EDT, telem@Packet.Net (T.L.Miller)
>writes:
>
><< 
> >Did I read recently on the list(S) that hibiscus doesn't like high
>phosphorus
> > fertilizers?  If so, what do you successful bloomers feed them?  all year
> >round?  Batya Levin, Bronx NY
> 
> Tropical hibiscus?
> Frequently the recommendation is to use a lower phosphorous fertilizer, 
> but many growers simply use a 20-20-20 water soluble or a 10-10-10 
> granular and usually get good results.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Tom Miller >>
>Hi Tom,  I usually use 20-20-20 and sometimes a flower booster in the summer
>with high phosphorus (middle number).  That's why I'm trying to get
>clarification from the person who said he/she doesn't use a high phos.
> fertilizer.  I have never gotten a lot of blooms.
>
>ps, I don't know if they're tropical hibiscus.  Are there more than one kind?
> BTW I just bought a tissue-paper like hibiscus tree which is blooming like
>mad, but since it's from Franks, I don't know the grower or I'd call to ask
>what they use.  Batya
>
Batya;
  This year for the first time I'm using Osmacote 17-6-10 on my hibiscus
instead of the standard 20-20-20. Previously, I wouldn't get blooms til
late summer..But this year I have beautiful full green plants that are now
loaded with buds. I'm delighted, needless to say. WalMart has samples of
that particular Osmacote, enough for a few large plants for a dollar or
so..But I have seen 1 or 2 lb boxes at garden centers..Pricey, though.

The "tropical" hibiscus Tom refers to are H. rosa-sinensis, and are the
typical hawaiian hibiscus you see in pictures (and Hawaiian shirts!), as
opposed to Rose-of-Sharon or Flower-of-the-Hour (H. moscheutos, I think)
which are hardy perennials or shrubs. They (the tropicals) are not hardy
where you are (nor where I am, in TN). You can grow the tropicals in pots
very successfully, but they will eventually need 12" to 14" pots so are
real space hogs. They are worth it though, hope yours bloom for you soon!

Gerry>

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