One thing is for sure if you’re planning to learn how to plant bare root hibiscus- it’s not easy to handle; it requires a lot of attention for it to grow healthy. You have to consider the temperature, moisture, air circulation, and all the other factors.
Lucky for you because we have prepared 16 ways on how to plant bare root hibiscus. We assure you that all these procedures will give the best results out of your plant. So what are you waiting for? Let’s dig further.
16 Ways To Plant Bare Root Hibiscus
Yes, it may take a long process to plant bare root hibiscus, but it will surely be worth it. So, be patient, follow every step, and enjoy. Here are the steps on how to plant bare root hibiscus.
#1 Timing and potting
The first thing you should do once you have your bare root hibiscus is to pot them. We recommend the soil be a mixture of peat/bark soil with a pH level of 6.0 to 6.5. After potting, bring the plants outside and put them into drip irrigation.
#2 Pinching
This procedure must be done right after potting your plants. Pinch 3 to 5 nodes of the plant’s top growth. After one week, drench it entirely in 1ppm of uniconazole- a chemical that is generally used as a retardant, promoting growth.
#3 Spacing
No matter what kind of plant you have, it is necessary to space them well. It might not be a problem when the plants are still little, but overcrowding in a pot will happen when it starts to grow.
Overcrowding makes the hibiscus look unattractive. Space the plants properly so it can create a well-rounded look when it grows.
#4 Temperature
Hibiscus is a kind of plant that prefers to be under the heat with an ideal temperature of 68°F and higher. Anything lower than that will result in chlorotic foliage and slower growth. That is why it is best to plant them during the summer, but regularly check up on its moisture and not let them get too much sun exposure.
#5 Moisture
What’s difficult about taking care of a bare root hibiscus is that it thrives well in hot weather, but it must always be kept moist. We advise you to use drip irrigation for easy and efficient watering over your plants. Indications of your hibiscus being too dry are having the leaves and buds turn yellow.
#6 Look out for pests and diseases
Diseases on bare root hibiscus are not often a problem since it’s quite rare to find one on them. Examples of these rare diseases are fungus and wilting of the leaves. As for pests, regularly check on your plant for sawflies, whiteflies, spiders, mites, and Japanese beetles.
#7 Use of fertilizer
Fertilizers are essential to any plant, bringing added nutrients they need to grow faster and bigger. With every irrigation, feed your bare root hibiscus with 150 to 200ppm of nitrogen, or you can also mix controlled-release fertilizer when you pot your plant.
#8 Do not force the plant
Hibiscus commonly takes quite a while for them to start flowering. Forcing this kind of plant to bloom is possible, but it is costly and causes damage in the long-run. Natural blooming is a better way to go, which happens at the beginning of midsummer.
#9 Trim roots to fit container
Bare root hibiscus has large root systems the first time you receive them, which are often too big for the ideal container of 2-gallons. You can trim down the roots to 3 to 4 inches in radius or an overall diameter of 6 to 8 inches to fix this.
It is advisable that during potting, plant the crown to make it settle below the media surface.
#10 Look out for weeds
During the growing times of your bare root hibiscus, weeds will appear quite often. It is general knowledge that weeds must not come near your plants because they steal space and nutrients for your hibiscus. Two ways to prevent this is by regular soil cultivation or applying mulch to stop the weeds’ germination.
#11 Protect plants against intense weather conditions
When your plants are newly potted and haven’t settled properly, provide them with protection against intense sunlight and extreme winds. Air circulation is good for the plant, but not too much. The same goes for lighting as it requires a healthy amount of sunlight, but not too much that it dries the plant.
#12 Apply additional mulch for colder seasons
We cannot disregard those who live in colder regions, who want to plant their bare-root hibiscus. That is why we have this advice ready for you.
Applying a layer of 1 to 2 inches worth of mulch during the cold autumn season will give added protection to your plant. When springtime comes, you can remove the mulch and let it grow as usual.
#13 The flowers only last one day
Many of you may not be aware, but hibiscus flowers have a life span of one day before they fall off. But, do not worry because plenty more will grow back quickly. We wanted to add this tip to not be concerned if the flowers fall after a day and think you may have done something wrong in growing them.
#14 Discard foliage
In the autumn season, hard frost often happens, and this can affect your bare root hibiscus. After the frost, you must take out and discard the foliage in your plants.
#15 Pruning
Bare root hibiscus does not need pruning but, if you want to shape your plant, then you may do so. We encourage you to prune in the early summer at the time the hibiscus starts growing. Pruning helps in the plant’s branching and development of more flower stalks.
#16 Divide plants when they become overcrowded
There are tendencies that your plants overcrowd as it grows, even when you thought you have properly spaced them. The best way to deal with this is by dividing your plant in the early spring. Once you’ve divided your hibiscus, you can replant them once you’ve taken out into a different pot.
Conclusion
Bare root hibiscus is a plant that is most often used for beautification in events or inside homes. That is why people who grow them take extra care of them. All these 16 ways on how to plant bare-root hibiscus are essential. We assure you that following them will give you the most beautiful and healthy one among all others.