young rooted cutting dying?

[Charlie]

Ooops, I didn't realize the EO was planted when commenting in the other thread. It's risky to plant them this small - better to overwinter in a pot and plant next summer. For southerners it is hard to get used to the idea that hibiscus can be houseplants but once you try it you find they do very well indeed. Small ones overwinter much better indoors. Ask the Canadians and Germans who frequently grow hibiscus indoors, putting them out only during the relatively short summer growing season.

Charlie

[farmer d]

Thank you everyone for the helpful input.  I dug up and repotted three plants that are now inside for the winter.  Extra TLC for my EO and hopefully it can make the comeback of comebacks.

It would figure that this Nov & Dec so far would be one of the coldest we have had here in the last 10 yrs so tough going on the newbies even though the temps at night never get under 40.

Interesting observation, a couple of my more mature plants did each have a branch with wilt and upon closer inspection there was dieback disease.  Both plants are in spots where the soil is much more shaded throughout the day so that is a good clue that winter conditions have taken over in my garden here in So Cal.

Both plants are fine now as the hibiscus doctor section is really helpful.

Farmer D

[Doll]

Something ate one of my 4 inch plants last night in my garage! This had 5 or 6 leaves yesterday. This was the only one touched.

[Pachrian]

Oh, what a sad sight

[Doll]

Yes, very sad. I think it will grow back. I have moved it to my sunroom now. It is Rise and Shine.

[farmer d]

Wow, that many leaves in one night?  That is something pretty big to do that.  I have caught a few grasshoppers lurking around my hibiscus last month.  They're one of the few things that I can think of off the top of my head that has such an appetite.

Do you have any sort of critters in your area that could sneak into the garage?  I'm thinking rabbits or deer...

The leaves of Rise & Shine look delicious even to me...here is a picture of mine today.  Yours will be back before you know it and better than mine!

Farmer D

[Doll]

The only animals around my house are rats, squirrels and opossums. Hate to think an opossum was living in my garage, but it wouldn't be the first time. I can't imagine a rat devouring the entire plant in that manner though.

[blupit007]

Oh man, that reminds me of the day 3 years ago my house bunny ate my Japanese Maple.  I had a seedling (only a couple months old) growing in a pot on my deck about a foot tall and nice an bushy (like a perfect lil tree).  It was a seedling from the tree growing in my previous yard that was given to us at my fathers funeral.  We couldn't move it to the new house due to its now huge size, so it was quite a special seedling to be able to take with me...  Jada was loose on the deck and mowed that poor thing down to the stump!  I was so bummed out, but couldn't help smiling thinking about how proud of herself she must have felt finding such a treasure!   Sad to say, the maple didn't make it.  Fortunately hibiscus react really well to being pruned 

[Charlie]

Rabbits around here will only eat the youngest and most tender leaves, leaving the mature leaves alone. Hungry mice and rats can do some damage - last year field mice made a nest right in the middle of a table full of foot high seedlings in 4 inch pots, chewing off branches and leaves to form the nest. I hope the Rise and Shine lives up to its name!

Charlie