How to Plant Water Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a beautiful and colorful flower that can flourish almost anywhere. To grow healthy hibiscus blooms, you need to plant them in the right soil, water them adequately and give them enough sunlight. In this article, we will take you through simple steps to plant and water hibiscus for attractive and healthy plants.
Choose the Right Soil
Hibiscus thrives in a well-draining soil that is rich in nutrients. It is crucial to choose the right soil to help your hibiscus bloom beautifully. You can get potting soil from garden stores or make it yourself by mixing equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
Once you have your potting soil, add some compost or cow manure to make it richer in nutrients. The soil should be slightly acidic, with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.0, to prevent the flowering plant from contracting diseases.
Plant Hibiscus in the Right Location
Hibiscus requires enough sunlight to grow and bloom brightly. You should place the plant in a location that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight every day. You can also plant it in a spot where it will get some shade in the afternoon. Too much direct sunlight can burn the plant while too much shade can lead to fewer flowers.
Additionally, you should plant your hibiscus in a location that provides adequate air circulation to prevent diseases. You can choose to plant it in a pot or plant it on the ground, as long as it’s well-draining soil and gets enough sunshine.
Water Hibiscus Adequately
It’s essential to water hibiscus properly to keep it healthy and ensure it blooms to its maximum potential. Hibiscus requires frequent watering, especially during the hot season, so it doesn’t dry out. However, overwatering can lead to yellow leaves and root rot. Therefore, giving your hibiscus just the right amount of water is vital.
You can water your hibiscus every two days during the hot season and reduce watering to once a week during the cold season. When watering, ensure you water the soil and not the leaves. Water the hibiscus deeply, ensuring that the soil is moist but not wet. Make sure the soil drains well, and there is no standing water near the plant as this can lead to root rot.
Fertilize the Hibiscus
Fertilizing your hibiscus will provide the necessary nutrients for your plant to grow extensively and bloom beautifully. You can fertilize your hibiscus using a water-soluble fertilizer that’s high in phosphorus and lower in nitrogen. Nitrogen encourages more growth and fewer blooms, while phosphorus encourages more blooms and less growth.
You can fertilize your hibiscus once every month, except during the winter season when it goes dormant. During the cold season, it's advisable to stop fertilizing the hibiscus as this encourages it to go into dormancy.
Conclusion
Hibiscus is an excellent plant to have in your garden or indoors. If you follow these simple steps, you can grow a healthy and beautiful hibiscus plant. Remember to use the right soil, locate your plant in a good spot, water it adequately, and fertilize it once a month. Following these tips will help ensure that your hibiscus blooms beautifully for a long time.