hybiscus novice needs advice

someone just gave me a potted hybiscus, that's probably 5 feet tall and very leggy. looks healthy through with one bud. it's been repotted and seems healthy, should I trim it back or let it leaf out by being outside. I think it was a house plant for years, and I have it outside now. what's the best treatment for this plant. thanks for any advice.

If you could post a picture that would help people advise you on whether it needs to be cut back or not. I would also be careful on moving it outside--it'll definitely be happier there than indoors, but if it's used to being indoors it will need to be gradually adjusted to the light levels outside. Even if it was in a sunny window inside, the light is not nearly as intense as real sunlight, so the leaves will get sunburned if you don't adjust it gradually.

Good advice Liz. A picture would help to decide what to do. If it really is leggy it does sound like you will be better off pruning it back to stimulate new growth and better branching habits. It's early enough in the summer season where you still may see some blooms by late summer if it is done now.
Jon

Bud drop problem & chlorotic leaves.
What is lacking, or what can I do to improve them?
Have fertilized well, added ironite, and yesterday Epsom salt to green them up.
Good improved, draining soil, stays damp/moist, heavy mulching, mostly full sun.

The buds are making, then turn yellow and drop.

Sounds like you might be watering too much. Let the soil dry out just a bit between waterings. Hibiscus can be funny, they hate being dry but they also hate being damp all the time.

The strange coloring and/or yellowing of leaves may just be the hibiscus adjusting to the change of season. In Florida it is fairly common to have this occurring in June when the nighttime temperatures are much higher compared to the spring. It also happens here again in October when the reverse is happening (going from high nighttime temps to lower nighttime temperatures). I would guess about 30-40% of my hibiscus go through this process. The good news is that it only lasts about 3-5 weeks and then you start seeing the glossy green foliage that we all strive for again.
Jon