Hibiscus is a fairly extensive genus of plants belonging to the family Malvaceae. Of the three hundred species of this genus that grow in nature in the tropical and temperate regions of Eurasia and Africa, as well as within the Caribbean, only one is grown at home. This is Chinese hibiscus or, as it is also called, indoor hibiscus.
Even a novice grower can take care of this plant, because it is unpretentious and grateful for any care. Even with minimal effort, you can get a beautiful compact bush with charming large flowers. At present, cultivars with yellow, cream, pink, scarlet, bright red, white flowers have been obtained, terry and variegated forms have been bred. So if you want, you can create a whole collection.
How to care for hibiscus to get a spectacular plant? You need to start with the choice of place. The plant is photophilous, therefore it is desirable to place it on sunny windows. At first, you need to shade from the direct sun, but if you accustom the plant gradually, Chinese hibiscus will perfectly tolerate even the brightest midday rays.
In summer, it is advisable to place it in the garden or on the terrace, protecting it from wind and rain. Fresh air has a beneficial effect on the plant, it becomes stronger, is gaining strength, begins to scrub and blooms more actively. In addition, during the growing season we must not forget about top dressing. All plants need additional nutrition at this time, no exception and indoor hibiscus. Care in the spring and summer must include fertilizer application. You can use both mineral dressing and organics. At this time, hydration should be regular and plentiful. Humidity is not of fundamental importance, but spraying will not interfere with the prevention of spider mites.
If in winter the plant is kept in a cool place (temperature is about 15 ° C), then watering is reduced, feeding is stopped - a dormant period begins. If you keep the bush at a temperature above 20 degrees and use additional lighting, flowering will continue. Of course, this is a more troublesome method, but the reward for all the worries will be the first beautiful flower blooming in the middle of winter. Hibiscus can winter without leaves. To do this, reduce watering in the fall to a minimum, wait for leaf fall, conduct radical pruning and place the bush in a cool place (about 10 degrees). Naturally, with this method, we are not talking about flowering.
In spring, when daylight hours increase , all plants require attention and care, including indoor hibiscus. Care during this period begins with two important events - transplanting and pruning. Young specimens often reload - every spring, adults - as the pot is filled with roots (usually every 2-3 years). This crop needs fertile, light, nutrient-rich fresh soil with a good structure. You can make a substrate of turf land, river sand and humus (2: 1: 1), you can add another part of leafy soil, a little peat and crushed charcoal to this mixture . It is necessary to take care of good drainage, since stagnation of moisture at the roots can destroy indoor hibiscus. Plant care is, of course, very important, but still only additional activities. The key to success is the right soil. Therefore, the transplant must always be taken seriously.
As for pruning, this procedure not only allows you to get a neat compact bush, but also is the key to abundant flowering. Therefore, it is necessary to cut, especially since the hibiscus tolerates pruning very easily, and its flower buds are formed on the shoots of the current year. You can remove everything that is above the kidney, located at a height of 15 cm from the base of the shoot. Later, the crown is thinned out again, weak shoots are removed, strong and healthy remain.
The agrotechnics of growing hibiscus is quite simple, and for the efforts made the plant will generously thank the owner with its unusual southern beauty.