Hibiscus

Nature 3 Minutes

Hibiscus tree is an annual or perennial herbaceous plant with trumpet-shaped flowers. This tropical tree grows in full sun or partial shade and does best in moist, well-drained soil. With over 200 species and many more cultivars in the genus, hibiscus flowers can reach nearly 10 inches in diameter at maturity and come in a wide range of colors from white to red, pink, yellow, and orange.

Tropical hibiscus varieties (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) are perfect if you live in a warm climate or want an impressive houseplant. For those living in cooler parts of North America, opting for a hardy variety or the shrubby rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), which are both easier to grow and can withstand colder winter temperatures, will be the better choice. Regardless of variety, hibiscus flowers are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

While all hibiscus have similarities that go beyond appearance, they have some distinct care and growing requirements.

Hibiscus Care

The care you provide your hibiscus will vary depending on whether it is a hardy or tropical variety and whether it is grown indoors or outdoors.

Warning

You can grow most species of hibiscus without worrying about them getting out of control. However, rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is classified as an invasive species in much of eastern North America.1

Light

Hibiscus love bright conditions. In northern climes, full sun is often best, but in the intense, dry heat of the south, filtered sunlight is better. If you find that your plant isn’t producing many blooms, move the plant to a sunnier location.

Indoor tropical hibiscus will need a bright spot near a sunny window but keep it away from strong, direct sunlight. If you are transferring your plants outdoors when the warmer weather arrives, gradually acclimate them to the brighter conditions.

Soil

All hibiscus do best in well-drained, fertile, moist, loamy soil. The hardy varieties are wetland natives and are a good choice for sites that are too wet for other plants.

Most hibiscus prefer a slightly acidic soil pH, but the rose of Sharon is tolerant of alkaline conditions. The color of hibiscus flowers can be affected by the soil acidity level.

Mulching around the plant base can help with moisture retention if your location is experiencing dry conditions. For nutrient-poor soil, amending with organic matter will be beneficial.

Water

All hibiscus are thirsty plants that need to be kept moist. Indoor tropical hibiscus benefit from regular watering from spring to early autumn during the growing season. Significantly reduce watering during dormant periods. For container-grown plants, ensure the top inch or so of potting mix dries out fully before watering—saturated soil is also problematic, and make sure containers have adequate drainage holes.

Depending on the conditions, you might need to water your hibiscus daily to help it produce an abundance of blooms.

If your hardy hibiscus are not planted near a pond or in another wet area, water them on a regular basis to keep them moist.

Temperature and Humidity

Rose of Sharon and hardy hibiscus can grow in cool, temperate climates. They thrive in temperatures from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit but can handle temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit and frost is a risk, bring container-grown plants indoors. However, be mindful of their higher humidity requirements—which is why bathrooms are a good location for these plants.

Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can kill tropical varieties, so they are best housed in humid locations indoors in regions where this is likely to occur.

Fertilizer

To encourage abundant, healthy blooms with good color, feed plants with a high potassium and high nitrogen fertilizer. Fish emulsion and seaweed extract are organic fertilizers. Feed a half-strength solution just before the start of the bloom period and continue at least once every few weeks until the end of flowering.

Types of Hibiscus

There are hundreds of tropical and hardy hibiscus hybrids and cultivars available. Just a few popular varieties include:

Swamp Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus): An unusual, hardy species featuring large pinwheel-like flowers

Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis): This hardy rose mallow has large, showy flowers that open white and then change color.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Cajun Cocktail’: A tropical cultivar with striking orange and yellow ruffled blooms, giving each one a one-of-a-kind appearance.

Hibiscus moscheutos ‘Perfect Storm’:A hardy, compact hybrid cultivar that blooms late in the season.

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Published by pat frederick

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158 thoughts on “Hibiscus”

  1. When I was a child – many Southern homes had a Confederate Rose plant in their gardens along with Magnolia and Mimosa trees, native Azaleas, Day lilies and Stokesias. Confederate Roses are one of the few double hibiscus.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. The Confederate Rose is a pretty big bush – most often planted in full sun, standing alone, like a Camelia. I forgot to mention Camelias – another traditional Southern favorite.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. If only…..

    In the same vein – #20 – TOP TWENTY TWEETS – https://directorblue.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-top-20-tweets-tonight-best-deal-is.html

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Morning All!
    busy, busy, busy morning for me.
    I promised Mom an apple pie, so doing that now…then i have a haircut a little later, gotta do laundry and pack and all sorts of things.
    we’re leaving tomorrow around 8 in the morning.

    Liked by 1 person

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  17. Simon Ateba
    @simonateba
    REAL OR SCAM? On the surface, @SamanthaJPower
    , the former journalist turned @USAID
    administrator, appears to be spending hundreds of millions of American dollars in Africa to rescue those “poor” people from hell. However, when I wrote her office to inquire about how the money was being spent after last week’s announcement, they refused to respond, raising questions about whether the funds were reaching the people in need or simply being used to enrich American NGOs and their associates.

    As someone who was born in Africa, I have never received any assistance from @PowerUSAID
    or USAID, and I do not personally know anyone who has benefited from their support. I have often suspected that it’s all a scam on the American people and should be terminated, as it seems no real African in need is benefiting.

    It’s disheartening that while we rightfully get angry about those who loot stores being let off the hook, the individuals handling billions of dollars of American money that never reaches anyone are the ones being celebrated. I may be mistaken, and perhaps USAID isn’t a fraud or simply a means to advance CIA interests in Africa, as some suggest. Nonetheless, it is shocking that no African I know, whether here in the US or in Africa, has ever received any assistance from this program. And now that they refuse to answer questions, it becomes clear that there is a lack of transparency.

    I’m not saying that Americans are being deceived, but it certainly has never helped any African that I know of. She should resign.

    Liked by 1 person

    2. Uh-huh…prick was in Dallas, that’s where he was!!! Jitbag!!! And if I were going to have a funeral, I would DEFINITELY do that! But, then, no-one would be especially surprised so….maybe not…LOL

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Liked by 1 person

  21. 🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸
    @Travis_in_Flint
    🚨 BREAKING 🚨

    Biden DOJ targeting conservative after he announces run for US Senate seat against Democrat.

    Last month West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced his campaign for US Senate against Joe Manchin. Today the Justice Department has filed a civil complaint against Jim Justice and his family for “environmental violations.” The suit claims his family owes the government $5 million in unpaid fines.

    The GOP stayed silent as the DOJ attacked Trump. They ignored the rule of law and voters to politically target his entire family. Did they think the DNC would just stop with Trump? This is the result of GOP silence. Ronna McDaniels needs to step down immediately!

    Liked by 2 people

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      1. Like

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  26. Citizen 817
    Citizen 817
    June 1, 2023 12:28 am

    @realDonaldTrump

    6h
    Massachusetts’ top federal prosecutor leaked sensitive information from the Justice Department in an effort to help a friend win an election, and hurt the opponent. The prosecutor just resigned. Big ramifications. BUT WAIT, all of the Democrat “Persecutors” that are trying to Interfere with the 2024 Presidential Election are leaking constantly, and illegally, about me. Will they be resigning, and will there be an investigation into their leaking? There should be!

    Liked by 1 person

        1. He is just as big as years ago, when he originally had the lap band surgery! But, then, that happens frequently, even with gastric bypass. SIL had GP, too, and is close to the weight he was originally! The “pouch” they leave stretches over time.

          Liked by 1 person

  30. lindak
    June 1, 2023 12:51 am

    Tara Reade, victim of a Biden rape, recently defected to Russia to escape the Biden Crime Family.

    Now the missing witness in the Biden corruption probe , Gal Luft, speaks out from an undisclosed location. He was being held on gun running charges in Cyprus, which he says were fabricated to discredit him when he gained help to escape.
    I believe this is a familiar pattern. Julian Assange, Snowden, truth tellers in exile. The common link? Our CIA setting them up and our corrupt dem politicians betraying our country.

    https://nypost.com/2023/05/31/missing-biden-family-corruption-probe-witness-gal-luft-speaks-out-living-as-fugitive-in-undisclosed-location/

    Liked by 1 person

      1. yup! that’s how this administration and the pentagon rolls.
        biden gets 10% of sales and the pentagon gets to ask for more $$ cuz they HAD to leave behind weapons…and then no one ever gives an accurate accounting of their allocated funds.

        Liked by 2 people

    2. I saw something about that in a Tweet at M’s, I think, a few minutes ago. Allegedly, the weapon system being shown is NOT the system that was sent to Ukraine. That’s not to say these weapons aren’t being trafficked – we all know they are – but this one in particular appears to be bogus vis-a-vis weapons sent to Ukraine by US. It was sent to some other country by the US, tho.

      Liked by 1 person

  34. TwoLaine
    TwoLaine
    June 1, 2023 9:00 am

    This is just too funny!

    So the certified carbon credits you purchased do not actually exist? You mean it is all a scam and nothing but virtue signaling? Imagine that…

    #LockThemUp

    CEO of top carbon credit certifier steps down after report finds “phantom credits”
    By Tyler Durden
    1 Jun 2023
    https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/ceo-top-carbon-credit-certifier-steps-down-after-report-finds-phantom-credits

    I have no sympathy for you. You fell for another crooked Lizzie Holmes style scam. Your bad!

    Liked by 1 person

  36. In 2 weeks our real president is having a birthday–June 14th.
    Let’s shower him with birthday cards!!
    this is the best address I could find for Mar-a-lago. If anyone has a better one, please share!

    President Donald Trump
    c/o The Mara-a-lago Club
    1100 S. Ocean Blvd
    Palm Beach, FLA 33480

    Liked by 2 people

  38. Shelley Keith Childs
    June 1, 2023 9:21 am

    If we were all the same race, idiots would divide us by height. If we were the same height, idiots would divide us by eye color. If we had the same eye color, idiots would divide us by something else. It isn’t the race that divides us, it’s the idiots.

    — AMABLACKPATRIOT (@DrShayPhD) May 23, 2023

    Liked by 2 people

  40. Alrighty then….sliding on down…haven’t read a thing yet. When I got to the clinic and checked in, I asked if Perry was there because I wanted to thank him personally. They said other people have commented similarly about him. He wasn’t but they asked if I wanted to nominate him for some award – I forget what they call it – for outstanding service! Damned right I do!!! I also checked the box to be notified if he gets the award and there is a ceremony for him so I can be there. He was off today, most likely fishing – ah! Truly a man after my own heart. And get this: I think I went to parochial school with possibly his Dad, maybe an uncle, so I’m curious to see what his Dad’s name is. Same last name and he is a local, from Battle Creek – a LOT of them there and in Norfolk.

    Dr. Lux agreed that I do need a CT scan of my sinuses but they require that I be on antibiotics for 3 weeks first (which I know I need anyway) to make sure it isn’t just a chronic sinus infection (which I know it isn’t) but whatever…he is going to expedite them sending me the Amoxicillin. At 3 weeks, we will have a telephone conference and then will schedule the CT scan. I can do it right here in Plainview or in Norfolk, thankfully. But I also told him since I know I can take the bus to Omaha from Norfolk, I’m willing to do that but I would prefer not to. If it does turn out to be pieces of tooth or bone chips that remain (which they should see on the scan), that WILL require going to Omaha but we’ll see.

    Now then…I almost hit a doe coming home on the Meadow Grove road (gravel). She came out from a field on my left, across in front of me, and I just missed catching her with my right front bumper. Surprise, surprise! At fricking 10 am in the morning! Why is she even out in the open right now??? There aren’t any crops to munch on yet….who knows but she lives another day, and I didn’t wreck my truck.

    Good thing I took the flag in before I left – it was nice and calm but I knew the wind would come up and it certainly has….again….82 and humid at the moment, w/possible thunderstorms later….yeah, I’ll believe that when I see it – days and days of predictions of rain and I haven’t seen any here yet!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey there!
      I was waiting to hear how the appointment went–sounds like it went well!

      when i went to my haircut appt–there were deer running across the dirt road–but that was about 9:15

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Just a side note….when they asked me about alcohol or drugs, I admitted to a little MJ now and then…ahem…before I left, Dr. Lux mentioned it, then said “I don’t care” but he was curious: where do you get it? I gave him the old tongue-in-cheek look and he said, “Ok, I get it….” Then I told him probably Colorado. LOL – cool dude!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. No, neither medical nor recreational but it’s one of those “everyone knows” and “everyone does it” kind of things. Meth is THE biggest issue in NE. And then, of course, the original gateway drug for NE: beer! Of course, they all steadfastly refuse to see the connection between addiction and alcohol. God forbid!!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Back when CO first made it legal, within days, I headed out on a trip to CO. I HAD to check this shit out!!! LOL

        It was just under an 8 hour drive and, when I hit the CO border, I got off the interstate onto a county highway. The first small town I came to that had a dispensary, I pulled in. I cannot tell you how exhilarating it was to walk out that door with it in my hand without having to hide it. I called my Sis…”you won’t believe what I just did!”, I called my GS, I called some other friends – it was soooo exciting! ROFL

        But they were expensive and I figured a store closer to a bigger city would probably have better prices. Back on the road until I reached a large town – IDR what it was now – that had a decent-looking dispensary. I got a room for the night, then visited the store. They look at your DL on your way in to check your age and write your name in their log and that was it. Then you wander around and decided on what kind you want, with a clerk’s assistance to explain each kind and how it affects you. There is a limit…however, with this particular store, you could take your purchase outside, wait 10-15 minutes, then go in again and make another purchase. What a hoot that was and a real milestone for me!

        Liked by 1 person

          1. Oh, hell, no! That wouldn’t have been possible! Technically, yes, since it still isn’t legal here but early on, HP wasn’t watching for that. I certainly wouldn’t do it now!

            Liked by 1 person

  42. Oh, and the package of cantaloupe seedlings has already been delivered – on her front porch as of 9:42 am today. Saved a few $$$ and it still got there next day! She wasn’t home yet – had to stop at the feed store – but will call and let me know how they weathered the trip.

    Liked by 1 person

  44. AI “helped” write an attorney’s brief in Manhattan and according to the judge, it lied and made up stuff.
    FTA
    “Six of the submitted cases appear to be bogus judicial decisions with bogus quotes and bogus internal citations,” Castel wrote. He set a June 8 hearing to consider how to handle it.

    snip

    Schwartz has filed an affidavit that his “source” has proven to be “unreliable,” and explained he was “unaware” that ChatGPT could return lies.
    His order said, “These platforms in their current states are prone to hallucinations and bias. On hallucinations, they make stuff up—even quotes and citations. Another issue is reliability or bias. While attorneys swear an oath to set aside their personal prejudices, biases, and beliefs to faithfully uphold the law and represent their clients, generative artificial intelligence is the product of programming devised by humans who did not have to swear such an oath.”

    https://www.wnd.com/2023/05/judge-blasts-filing-doctored-ai-bogus-information/

    Liked by 1 person

  46. “Truth: Over 1 Trillion has Poured into Russia — They are doing better than Any Time in their History. (Our Leaders are Corrupt and Inept) ‘Спасибо Джо Байден!
    JIMYCHANGA
    MAY 31, 2023

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “Scott Ritter is just back from the MONTH LONG TOUR we covered previously in this stack, and what he has to say will blow your socks off.

    ‘Planners have SO MUCH MONEY pouring in that they don’t know what to do with it. They are activating building and infrastructure projects that were mothballed years ago.’

    The Russian people have a phrase for the clown that is overseeing America’s demise while literally taking every possible action to make allies and foes alike want off the US money monopoly machine. They say Thank You Joe Biden!’ (‘Спасибо Джо Байден!’). For, according to Scott and others, Russia’s never had it so good, at any time in their 1000-year history. A lot of this was inevitable, but good old Джо Байден, whom Barack Obama warned had an uncanny ability to fuck things up, seems to have sped it all along in a way few could have imagined.

    They don’t trust us, and neither do any of the BRICS or emerging nations that will dominate the next 20, 50, 100 years. (You know, the ones you’d ideally want to lead and even inspire by actually modeling freedom at home, and through forging bonds with real STATESMANSHIP)

    Never before has any administration used these shortsighted, ignorant sanction tactics. Our Leaders baited Russia for 20 years, crossed red lines, broke treaties, broke promises and now are throwing the Ukrainian people under the bus. Over 75,000 Ukraine military died in Bahkmut alone, with another 150,000 wounded and out of action. Not one Western leader has negotiated for peace, as the neocons on both sides of the aisle won’t let anything destroy their decades long wet dream of neutering and pillaging Russia into just another NWO puppet state.

    Start at the 37 Minute mark, and listen very, VERY carefully from a patriot who knows war and tactics, loves peace even more, and wants nothing but the best for both Americans and Russians.

    Click to listen (START AT THE 37 MINUTE MARK) and SHARE! ALL OUR CHILDRENS FUTURES DEPEND ON IT!”

    https://rumble.com/v2r7n0y-this-just-totally-backfired-on-them-total-disaster-redacted-with-natali-and.html?

    Liked by 1 person

  50. Troublemaker10
    Troublemaker10
    June 1, 2023 1:24 pm

    Elon Musk and censorship…

    I’m assuming @elonmusk just wasn’t yet made aware of what’s going on

    But if the showing of What Is A Woman is not restored Timcast will terminate its enterprise Blue subscription https://t.co/80dA4KP6wv

    — Tim Pool (@Timcast) June 1, 2023

    Like

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