I have a lot of Hibiscus that I planted over a year ago. They bloomed and were beautiful in March I cut them back so they wouldn't get leggy. They were blooming and growing so tall that I had to cut back again and they are still growing a lot and are loaded with buds but they don't open. Now they are growing so much and now top leaves are pointing up but they need to be cut back again. My husband wants to pull all of them out and plant something else. I don't know what else to plant. I thought about geraniums but not sure this is a good time. Can you please help.
What type of Hibiscus are we talking about? Tropical, hardy..? Without knowing what type from your description it sounds as if the plants may be in the wrong location, ie they are growing naturally too tall for that location or perhaps they are being over fertilized (if you are fertilizing at all). The buds may not be opening because so much energy is going into foliar growth. Let us know the variety and perhaps we can give a more specific answer.
Hi Donna, Hibiscus Growth: Your Hibiscus plants are growing well but might be stressed, which could be affecting their ability to open buds. This might be due to environmental factors such as heat stress, nutrient imbalance, or watering issues. Frequent Pruning: While cutting them back helps control shape and growth, frequent pruning can sometimes delay blooming. Holding off on further pruning may help encourage the buds to open. Buds Not Opening: The unopened buds could be a sign that the plants are stressed. Try adjusting watering or adding nutrients, especially potassium, to promote blooming. Considering Geraniums: If you're thinking about pulling the Hibiscus out, Geraniums are a good alternative. They offer vibrant colors and are relatively low-maintenance. Timing for Geraniums: Fall can be a good time to plant Geraniums, as the cooler weather helps them establish before winter. Be sure to check if it's suitable for your local climate. Before Replacing: If you want to give the Hibiscus another chance, you can experiment with improving their conditions (water, nutrients, reduced pruning). If they don't improve, switching to a new plant like Geraniums might be the next step. Thanks!
Thank you. I did trim them back again but I live in Florida so it has been very hot snd have had a lot of rain every day for about a month. I did fertilize them after cutting and the next rain washed it in. I will wait awhile but was thinking geraniums would be a good choice and I do like geraniums. All colors.
Current Conditions: Since you live in Florida, the combination of heat and daily rain may be contributing to the Hibiscus stress. Recent Care: You've already trimmed the Hibiscus back again and fertilized them, with the rain helping to wash the fertilizer in. Waiting It Out: It makes sense to wait a bit and see if the plants improve under these conditions before making any big changes. Considering Geraniums: If you do decide to replace the Hibiscus, Geraniums would be a good choice, especially since you like them in all colors. They’re hardy and versatile, and can bring a lot of color to your garden.
Thank you so much for your help. Are there certain geraniums better than others. It always seemed like the red were stronger.
