Yellowing Leaves after heavy rains

[Ben]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum but have lurked for awhile. I have an HVH Black Dragon in an 8" pot that had bloomed profusely the last few weeks. I live in the Atlanta area and we experienced >15" of rain recently in a short period. My BD got exposed to a good bit of the rain and now the leaves are all yellowing. My Sun Shower is also starting to yellow in the leaves. Both plants have new growth coming in, but I am concerned the excess rain hurt the plants and washed out nutrients. Any suggestions on a remedy or should I watch and wait? Could it just be a coincidence?

[Nievesgirl]

Hi Ben,

Where do you have your hibiscus ? In the ground or in pots ? They may have gotten too much water and this is why they have yellow leaves. I have blue ballerina at my office and someone watered but it had enough water already. When I returned to work the next day it had yellow leaves and they fell off. 

[Ben]

All of mine are in pots and they get about 4 hours of sun each day...

[jpiper82]

Ben, I live in Texas, and we sometimes have the same rain problem.  What I have learned this year is to make sure your plants can get rid of the excess moisture by having containers that will allow the excess moisture to drain.  Then you have to wait until the plants dry out before continuing your water/Fert program.  Yes you will lose some leafs and that is normal, but if you have maintained a good water/fert program they will come roaring back.  I had the same problem we had 7" of rain in a shorter time span than you have had.  Dry them down and go back to your water/fert, program

Welcome Ben

John

[Ben]

Thanks for the advice. During the storm, I took them out of the dishes they sit in to allow for drainage. They have about dried out and I will start the fertiliization again. Hopefully they will come roaring back!

[Charlie]

Hi Ben,

Nice to hear from you and to learn that the Black Dragon has bloomed well. Black Dragon has a reputation of not liking excess water. Some people grow it using less water than normal for hibiscus. I personally do not do this and my Black Dragon plants receive the same water that the other hibiscus get. Anyway, if you get another big rain like this one you might want to place the pot on the porch or any other covered area where it won't get so drenched.

Yellow leaves are better than wilted leaves. Most often hibiscus come back from yellow leaves following too much water but if the plant wilts with too much water it has a condition that is often fatal. So far, so good for your Black Dragon!

Charlie