Growing in NY, questions.

[Novella]

Anyone around there parts grow in or even around the same zone. I love Hibiscus and would like to start off with a few hardy plants, I understand there are hardy hibiscus which are a little different than the tropical. I plant on keeping outside during these hot summer months and bring them inside for the winter, so I don't see why tropical plants would give me any trouble. Would anyone suggest maybe a easier plant to start off with or a few. Also any tips for those up in this zone to get the best looking plants. Thanks for your time.

[motherof4]

Novella....go onto the world garden page and there is a girl that lives in ny and grows them on her outdoor patio.....and there are so many that would probobly work well....my newest heat loving one is simple pleasures...hot pepper....alcapulco gold does well...love story...melon melange...just a few that are doing very well for me in the heat...and we get up to 100 many days....I live in southern ca...oh well hope this helps...and I know there are many more that will be suggested my other ones on the forum..lynette

[farmer d]

 I would also highly recommend Acapulco Gold & Hot Pepper as well as Valentines Day, Bridal Path & Bon Temps.  These plants have all grown extremely well outside (mine are all planted in-ground 365) here in So Cal and love the heat.

AG has got to be the easiest and fastest growing hibiscus in history.  Hot Pepper loves tons of sun and heat and Valentines Day seems to easily make due and grows a wide full bush with big blooms.  Bon Temps has a beautiful bush that branches well and is very low maintenance.  Bridal Path is more challenging but loves it really hot with really pretty large blooms. 

I have a Melon Melange and mine seems to want morning sun at the most - that's my experience with mine. 

You can't go wrong with AG & HP for sure.

Farmer D

[blupit007]

Hi Novella,
  Im Kristen and I live in CT.  The tropicals can be a lot of fun if you give them what they need for our awful winters.  My house was around 60º last winter.  Sometimes a little bit warmer when we would fire up the wood stove.  I have great south facing windows, so my plants all get a huge amount of sun all winter long, which is probably what made them all happy.

 If you can get your hands on a Saffron, that one is great in our climate.  Also, Voodoo Magic seems pretty happy for me too.  Acapulco Gold also is a quick grower, although has been very wilty in the hot sun for me this summer, but it is still a young plant for me.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Kristen

[Novella]

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I really like the Alcapulco Gold but don't currently see it for sale. I'll have to keep waiting for it. Might just pick one I really like and see how it goes and then get the ones suggested as I see them. Kristen, anything you do besides bring them in for the winter? Do you cut back or do anything special to help them along.

[blupit007]

That is a great idea.  Each cv doesn't always preform the same for everyone.  Pick what you like and give it a go.

I give them HVH houseplant fertilizer along with some great spider mite prevention medication called Kontos.  Charlie doesn't sell that, I got it on eBay.  Its real expensive, but worth it when you have spent tons of money on a lot of hibiscus.  You don't want to see them all go from the stupid mites.

I have mostly baby plants as I only started this hobby a year ago, so I have not had to really prune any.  Although I did have a garden variety hibiscus for several years that was huge an unruly.  So I did a major prune on that and it became a beauty.  They respond so well to pruning, giving you a nicer bush in the end.

If you want to talk more about it, you can email me at kristen_emanuelson@yahoo.com  but I think this forum is great.  You will learn a ton!