Hibiscus Booster Usage

[jpiper82]

Charlie, We have all read about the need for additional Hib Booster to improve our cv's, and all the reasons why.  My questions are can you add to much of a good thing?  What happens if you use too much Booster?  Please advise us, I know it is always a balancing act using supplements and we try to find the right formula for our plants.
Thanks,
John

[Darkhorse]

John, using a little bit too much booster will cause salt burn on the leaves of your plants.  Basically the edges of the leaves die and turn brown.  The nitrogen in the booster is the most likely cause-- too much nitrogen in soil will burn the hibiscus.  I've experienced salt burn and have stuck some pictures below for you.   If your plants look like this then flush the pots with clean water, no fertilizer.  I flush them for about 15 min., basically just filling them up until they drain, then fill them up again repeatedly.

Picture number two shows sunburn and salt burn.

I haven't experimented with using WAY too much booster, but my guess is it would cause some serious damage.

[Charlie]

Nicely said, Jordan.

Always go slow with Booster until you know how the plants will react in local conditions. Many people use it to foliar feed hibiscus, which gives fast results. However, I've heard of several situations where plants were entirely defoliated by using too much. One guy, a chemical engineer by profession, has experimented with increasing the dose a little at a time and found that his plants could take higher doses when done this way. Still, use at your own risk. I've seen noticeable results just fertilizing with it normally to the root zone in moderate doses once or twice a month.

Charlie