Fertilizing during heat spells

[Geneva]

It's been 100 degrees plus here this week with no let-up in sight. Do I continue on with my "weekly-weakly" fertilizing regimen, or should I just water the plants and let them rest? Maybe just give them Super Nova by itself this week? Opinions?

[davidwood]

It's been 100 degrees plus here this week with no let-up in sight. Do I continue on with my "weekly-weakly" fertilizing regimen, or should I just water the plants and let them rest? Maybe just give them Super Nova by itself this week? Opinions?

I like your thinking Geneva and whether you do or you dont its up to you, I am always doing things that aren't considered technically correct, some days I will give an extra Supernova or of an evening I will spray the leaves with water, some days I will turn the pots and maybe add an extra spoonful of something, I just think if you are with your plants and caring for them they respond so much better, I think maybe if its too hot for sure don't fertilise, especially if they are dry but keep considering them and you won't be disappointed, I know that all sounds a bit silly but I believe it.

[Charlie]

Maybe not totally scientific, David, but not silly either. I've noticed this about hibiscus for years now - they like attention and do better with it than without it.

Fertilizing when hot requires a little thought but it is not too dangerous for hibiscus that are kept well watered. The plants will absorb more fertilizer when its hot and could show some leaf edge burn but just a small tweak toward less fertilizer should prevent any problems.

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

Hi Geneva,

I agree with Charlie that you should still fertilize during hot weather as hibiscus just love nutrients.  I take a more quantitative approach to fertilizing and temperature.  The best thing to do is take your normal dry weight of fertilizer you have been using and divide to the new volume of water you have been applying to your plants. 

For example:  If you were using 1 tablespoon per 1 gallon per week during 75 degree weather and are now using 2 gallons per week in 90 degree weather, you take 1 tablespoon/2 gallons and get .5 tablespoons per gallon.  The sum of the fertilizer your plants get per week is the same, but you are correcting for a change in the amount of water.  I have prevented having problems with fertilizer burn through this method.  I hope it helps!

[Charlie]

Great approach, Chris! Thanks for detailing it.

Charlie