Pinching/Pruning new plant

[Kathleen]

I got a "Slap Stick" earlier this spring in a 4" pot.  So far, it is doing very well and has grown to about 2' tall.  The problem is ..... no branches.  Should I pinch/prune some of it down to force branches, or just let it grow naturally?  Also, it has been in the mid 90's here for the past month or more and I don't want to shock it.  I am scared to death to do anything to it as I seem to kill every plant I touch.  It is still living in the 4" pot it came in because it seems most of my problems start when I pot-up.

Kathleen

[Kyle]

Kathleen,
I would recommend to pinch or prune your 4" especially during the 1st year.
Now is a good time because the days are still long and it's warm.


A 4" hibiscus can grow big and tall and in 90F+ summer heat it's not easy keeping them happy.
As they get big they need to be watered so often it's ridiculous or they fall over from wind.  

If I don't see micro buds it ain't blooming anytime soon.
I might as well cut now and get it over with.
Kyle



 

[Kathleen]

Thanks Kyle.  I'm gonna go for it!  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

[Kyle]

Kathleen,
How is your Slapstick doing since you trimmed it?

This seedling was a  4" spring arrival that wasn't branching just wasn't doing much.
I pruned it around the end of June and over 4th of July weekend a deer ate the few leaves I left on it.
Photo 1 was taken July 5th
Photo 2 was taken on Sept. 1.
Today there are micro buds at the tips of the branches.  

I was careful not to water it too often when there wasn't much of a bush left.
A newly transplanted hibiscus with no foliage can rot  easily if it's watered when it don't need it.
I had to cut back the watering to 1 time a week but now it's at least twice a day with a saucer.

Middle of summer when it's 90F+ isn't the most ideal time to prune or pinch with potted outdoor plants.  
Not so sure I could have pulled this off down South.

Kyle

[Kathleen]

Kyle - That is amazing!  My slapstick doesn't look nearly that nice.  I was afraid to take that much off of it.  I only took off about 4".  So far, there isn't any new growth.  It seems to be healthy otherwise...just stunted it's growth.  Could be the weather we have been having.  As usual for Summer in Tampa, Florida, we have had tons and tons of rain.  I moved all my 4" plants onto a screened in porch to avoid them getting soaked day after day by rain.  The porch gets very little sun so I wonder if the lack of direct sun may have prevented any new growth.  (At least it is still alive.) ,,. And as you mentioned, when they get that tall in the 4" pots, every little breeze blows them over.

Kyle, when you pruned it back that far, did you change the amount of sun you gave?  Does it make a difference?  And what about the fertilizer; do you give more to try to force growth, or less because there aren't any leaves to use it?

Kathleen

[Kyle]

Kathleen,
No new growth?  If the soil is always wet that could slow it down and promote rotting.
Let the soil dry a little so the roots get air.
Try the porch for a bit as this will keep them out of the rain and let the soil dry up a LITTLE before watering again.
It may take a full week before you need to water again?? 
They should like the porch but if they don't  get much direct sun they might not bloom since the days getting shorter. 
The sun is everything to these hibiscus.  The more the better but it takes time to get there and sometimes the sun needs to be filtered like in a greenhouse or a porch.

I left Rain Song it in the same spot outside all summer after i pruned.    There is no hiding from the sun at my new location.  Everyday they get more and more exposure. 
I gave mine lots of sun 8-9hrs a day from morning into the  hottest part of the day but shade by late afternoon. 
I want the sun to beat down directly on the wood and by pruning it there is no canopy to block the sun.
Yes, after I prune I cut back on fertilizing and work my way up to what the label says.
However, I amended in additional nutrients and beneficial's into the soil when I transplanted.
As the bush grew bigger it demanded water multiply times a day.
I wasn't measuring out any extra fertilizer but the fact that i was watering 2-3 times a day with light feedings
gave it more fertilizer naturally.   A little booster here and there but i'm working my way up.
 I often catch myself and resist the temptation to measure out double or triple amount of nutrients at a time.

Kyle