New Hibiscus Issues

[TXplantlover]

   Hi, I live in Houston, Texas, just brought home this Parasol Hibiscus plant from Home D and it has several issues...poor thing... Its dropping its blooms, its buds, and the leaves are turning yellow, and some with brown and eventually falling off. Based on what I've read on this site...it may be stress related as there's no spider mites or gall midge bugs(?) but did see a bunch of teeny tiny ants traveling the trunk.  I think I fertilized it with fish emulsion, diluted according to directions but perhaps this was still too much as some  leaves are also brown on the edge. So, should I go ahead and try the 'Spinosad' spray and if that doesn't work the 'Supernova'?  Thanks for your advice!

[davidwood]

It sounds very stressed, and just to be clear Spinosad will be of no use for that, Spinosad is for pest control, mainly used for killing Thrips on Hibiscus.

Fortunately it sounds like you have Supernova so you should be ok. What I would do is clear the plant of any debris and then water as required, but water with Supernova[2 teaspoons per galon], then if possible place it somewhere warm and shaded, leave it for a few days occasionally spraying the leaves with the same mixture of Supernova. As long as there is nothing seriously wrong it should soon bounce back.

[Nievesgirl]

Hi TXplantlover

This is what I think. Maybe it it stressed from full sun ? Was it under some shading @ home depot ? I know some have screens on top of the nursery section. The leaves can get burnt by full sun if it was not used to it.

How much are you watering it ? yellow leaves falling off can mean too much water as well. If you have a bud take it off and shake it over a white piece of paper if you see little black small pieces that look like tiny mechanical pencil lead. It is Thrips.

Do not water plant until you feel the top soil semi dry. ( do not let it get so dry that the leaves start to wilt. Also consider the potting media. Any heavy potting soil is too much for hibiscus. They need light soil to thrive in excellent condition.