Opinion requested: more than 1 hibiscus plant in a pot?

I have several pots with 3-4 different hibiscus plants in a single large pot and they have been this way for over a year. When I repot, should I attempt to separate them or leave the root ball alone and plant as is? Would you put multiple hibiscus plants in a pot intentionally? Pros/cons?

thanks,
d

I wouldn't put multiple plants in one pot, but I guess it could be done in a very very large pot. If I was going to do it, I would try to focus on putting only slow growers in the pot. If the pot had a very fast grower and a very slow grower in it, I would think the fast grower would take over the pot.

Thanks Jon,

What about separating the ones that are currently in one pot? Yes or no?

I would guess you would have to remove them from the pot and take a look at how involved a process it might be. I would probably start to separate them and see how it goes. If it is relatively easy...go for it. If it looks like its going to be a nightmare...perhaps stop.

I'd probably try to separate them unless the roots are horribly intertwined. In addition to what Jon mentioned above, I would want them in their own individual pots so in case there's an accident (overwatering, forgetting to water, pot gets knocked off the deck, etc) only one plant dies instead of all of them!

Thanks for the input. Guess I have a task...

So if the roots are too much to untangle, could/should I trim them back and replace the soil instead of potting up? I have 4 multiples currently in 5 gallon containers. Each multiple has at least 3 plants in the pot.

That depends on what you see when you look at the roots. If you don't pot up and don't separate I would think you have to trim them back a bit. If you pot up in size there shouldn't be any issues for now. If you decide to separate you have to decide if all of the extra pots you're gonna have is ok with you.

you hit the nail on the head Jon...pots, pots and more pots. :-)

LOL. You gave me an idea though. If I take my 60 hibiscus unofficial limit and repot them with 4 hibbies in each pot...then I only have 15 pots. With that kind of math me thinks me can go on a serious hibiscus shopping FrEnZy!!!

Lol, join the rest of us Jon, either that or you can wait to get cuttings from us when it is time :-)

LOL. I'm just gonna try to keep it at a maximum of 60. I noticed that every time I have too many plants outside or around the pool I start swearing too much. LOL I was proud of myself yesterday when I browsed through triedandtruehibiscus fall selection and restrained and ordered just one!!!