Hibiscus: Overwintering tropical potted Hibiscus in Ohio., 1 by moonslight

moonslight wrote:
Hi folks! :) I'm new to DG as a member, but I've visited the site as a result of web searches many times. I joined so I could ask all you experienced gardeners a few questions. For Mother's Day, my son and his girlfriend always take me to get my annuals and then plant them for me. This year I splurged and bought myself a gorgeous, peach-colored hibiscus tree with coiled trunk. I've loved hibiscus since I was a toddler and we visited my grandma each summer in FL where they grow year-round. I bought a nice pot and have it next to my sunny front beds. I would like to buy a grow light and overwinter it indoors. So here come the questions: 1) in Cuyahoga Falls OH (about 30 miles south of Cleveland) when should it move into the house? (I was thinking late September, but would rather hear from the voice of experience). 2) The tree is about 5 feet tall in its pot -- would a 400W HPS grow light be adequate? 3) How many hours each day should the grow light be on? (I was thinking 12 at LEAST). 4) When is it safe to take the plant back outside in the spring? After Mother's day, we had a few nights where the temperature went down to the mid 30's and it survived very well. Would mid-May be a good target date? 5) Is it necessary to prune the plant during the winter -- or any time of year?

I'll be very grateful for any info any of you can share. I've been researching grow lights online. If anyone has any info or tips to share in that area, I'd also be very grateful for that as well. Thanks very much and happy gardening!