(Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Red Tropical Hibiscus Feeding Instructions
When grown outdoors, Tropical Hibiscus benefits from regular feeding during the season. Fertilize as needed to keep foliage dark green and flowers coming with a liquid, water soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus, or an organic slow-release fertilizer. When growing indoors, Tropical Hibiscus need curtain-filtered or bright indirect sunlight. Provide night temperatures of 60 to 65 degrees F and day temperatures above 70 degrees F. When planting Tropical Hibiscus indoors in containers, plant in a mixture of equal parts peat moss, potting mix and builder's sand, and feed every two weeks with a water soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus.
Red Tropical Hibiscus Pruning Instructions
When grown outdoors as an annual in Zones 8 and north, Tropical Hibiscus will not require pruning other than to remove spent flowers or a stray branch. When brought indoors for the Winter, it may be necessary to prune the plant back significantly to reduce size. When grown in Zones 9-12 outdoors as a perennial shrub, prune in early Spring and as needed throughout the season to shape or control size. Can be limbed up into a small tree or left as a large shrub.
Red Tropical Hibiscus Pest Instructions
Red Tropical Hibiscus (Chinese Hibiscus) are prone to a few common pests, such as mealybugs, scales, whiteflies and red spider mites. In Zones 8 and north, plants should be moved indoors for the winter. Before bringing them indoors, examine them carefully for pests. Look under the leaves, in the leaf axils, and in every conceivable nook and cranny for insects and their eggs. Remove any diseased or dead leaves by hand. Insect-infested plants can be doused with a forceful spray of water to dislodge the pests, or you can use insecticidal soaps or other appropriate insecticides labelled for use on your plant.