Thursday, June 5, 2014

Cajun Hibiscus And New Gardeners

By Patrice McCoy


New gardeners may be intimidated by the extravagant color of cajun hibiscus, but they are an ideal plant for a new gardener interested in growing flowers with vibrant color. Some people choose to grow these beauties in pots for ease of moving into the house during the winter season. They offer a good showing for the new gardener who appreciates color and an appealing scent.

Available in vivid shades of tangerine, gold, red and yellow, this particular variety is often selected to complement an existing decor or add a pop of color to heavily green areas of the landscape. Since it is classed as a perennial, it returns year after year without replanting though if used inside, direct sunlight is required to trigger flowering. Other ornamental flowers are annuals and must be replanted every season.



Temperature is an important consideration when choosing whether to put your plant directly into the ground or keep it in a container. These tropical flowers do not withstand temperatures consistently below forty five degrees Fahrenheit. If wind is strong, it may also damage younger plants.

When making a plan to maintain your plants, consider that hibiscus prefer to be watered consistently, but lightly. As the days get colder, less water is needed. When the leaves fall as a natural part of defoliating, many gardeners will reduce watering at that time. Over watering can be detrimental to these tropical plants and should be avoided as under watering is.

These plants require a heavy hand in fertilization, especially if you are growing yours in a pot. There is some risk of root rot if the soil gets too dry as a granular fertilizer with time release is breaking down. One possible solution is to add a layer of mulch on top of the fertilizer to slow the break down. Too much phosphorus is also a known toxin to these plants.

Some insecticides may be too harsh for the petals and leaves. Read instruction labels carefully to avoid stressing the plant. Some mites and spiders can be treated by applying pesticide to the underside of leaves only. This may reduce the risk to the plant and handle the problem as well.

Choosing when to re pot your plant is balancing the plant's need for more space with the possibility of causing it to go into shock. Gently check the condition of the roots. If they are pressed against the side of the pot, re potting is in order.

Growing cajun hibiscus can add showy color and pizazz to any landscape plan or room decor. They are tropical plants that need to winter indoors in most states but will enjoy the warm summer months outside and return year after year with their show stopping blooms. When correctly watered, fertilized and inspected for infestations, these flowers can become the focal point of a garden or any room.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment