Hibiscus Dilemma

[Gina]

Hi Everyone,

I have a hibiscus dilemma. I have a hibiscus Snowfire that had have an emergency relocation due to a plumbing problem. She was in the ground and has been transplanted into a pot. She shocked out and in trying to save her life I bought a T5 and converted my shower into a grow area. My dilemma is do I cut her back and try to get her to regrow or just leave her? Should I put her into a smaller pot? Here is a picture. Please help.

[helixturnhelix]

I would leave her alone and just wait until you see new growth again before cutting it back.  It would be best to also keep her on the dry side until you see growth again.  You might also try a growth enhancer that contains auxins in some form, a popular product at HVH is Supernova, I have been using a different product called nitrozyme which has worked just as well for me.

Good luck

[Charlie]

Gina, I've done some transplanting of big plants in big pots down to smaller pots which is somewhat similar to digging up a big plant and potting it. They often wilt when doing this because a lot of root mass has been lost. Pruning it so that the roots match the top is often helpful.

What I would do is:

Mist the leaves several times a day - or morning and evening if you are not home during the day - and continue this for a week to see if the leaves recover. You can add Supernova to this mist if you want as it is good for helping with shock.

You should also keep the soil moist but not dripping wet and add some B vitamin or Superthrive (which contains B vitamins and rooting hormones) to the water.

If the plant does not improve after 7 days then I would prune it back about half way, leaving any stems with healthy looking leaves unpruned.

There's a good chance it will recover since this wilting is due to being dug up and it does not have a disease, at least not yet.

Please let us know what happens.

Charlie

[Gina]

Hi,

Thank you so much for the help! The leaves on Snowfire have stopped yellowing and they are still wilty.I think she is going to be OK. I think I am seeing new growth at the tips, however since I stare at them a million times a day to see if they are growing, I cannot be 100% sure. I also trimmed some of the branches and am trying to grow cuttings in case she does not make it.

Thank you again for all your help and have a great day!