Bud drop in hibiscus

I am having a horrible problem with my hibiscus. I have numerous buds but they turn yellow and drop off. I held back on fertilizing them as I discovered from another blog that I may have over done it. It has been several weeks with lots of buds but yellowing and falling off. I opened the bud and there was no insect and no sign of diseases. Any suggestions?

How's the watering? They can be a bit fussy--you don't want to water them too much, but you don't want to let them dry out too much either. I've had mine drop buds sometimes when I've been a bit inconsistent with the watering, letting them dry out a bit too much and then soaking them. And if you did overfertilize them that could cause it too. Also be careful what type of fertilize you use when you do fertilize--hibiscus don't like a lot of phosphorus so using a fertilizer with a high middle number (like bloom booster fertilizers) is bad for them. I'm not sure if it would cause bud drop or not but it's definitely not good for them. Weird weather can cause bud drop too, so if you've had excessively wet or dry weather recently that could contribute as well. Thrips can cause bud drop too but if you haven't seen any signs of insects then that's less likely.

Water on a daily basis as it is quite hot here and very humid. I am very consistent with that. I use Osmocote and Miraclgro as they are all in containers. No thrips either. I have 5 of these beauties and only one is flowering! The cajun hisbiscus flowered beautifully most of the summer. It is very large now with lots of buds. I just went out and picked off three more yellow buds. Some of these buds I thought were going to open because the color was coming through, but then they dropped off. Do hisbiscus like acid soil like gardenias? Gardenias are notoroious for dropping theirbuds

Thanks for the info! Andrea

Hibiscus are a bit less picky about soil pH than gardenias--they do like things slightly on the acidic side, but if you're around neutral that should be fine too, so I doubt your potting mix pH is the problem. You might try doing the finger test and make sure you're not watering too much--plants go through water quicker in a less humid climate like mine, and even when it's 90-100 degrees out I typically just water my hibiscus containers every other day so every day in a more humid climate where the plants won't use water as fast could be a bit too much. It may not be, there are a lot of variables that contribute to the necessary watering frequency but it's definitely worth checking. Before the next time you water, stick your finger down a few inches into a couple of your pots and see how wet the soil feels--if it's still feeling pretty wet you might want to let them go a bit longer in between waterings. You can also often tell by the weight of the pot whether they're starting to get dry or not.

Hibiscus (in pots) love to be bottom watered . You can put a few inches of water in a plant saucer and place your pot in it and let the hibiscus drink in the water from the bottom, until the soil is all moist. Once the soil turns dark with moisture, then take them out of the saucer and they should be fine for several days before needing another drink. But definitely don't let them get completely dried out. This is a great link for Hibiscus care. http://www.dupontnursery.com/cajuncolormagazine.aspx

I don't have saucers under my containers, they are on short legs so that the deck they are does not rot. The pots are all very large as these hibiscus have grown and some were purchased very large. These pots have several inches of gravel in the bottom for drainage and for weight since we can have very strong gusts of wind and the pots therefore are very heavy. I use only the best potting soil mixture for them. I just came in from watering my plants and skipped their water for now - will check on them later. One has finally flowered but the edges of the blossom are now curled and discolored, not typical of this variety. I guess perhaps I over fertilized them, but I was using a diluted mixture and there is slow release in the soil.

Thanks for all of your help. I must be more patient. Andrea

The only time I saw my hibiscus doing the yellow bud drop is when they were (and still are slightly) infested with snails/slugs. As long as you don't have any infestation, and the watering levels are consistent and not too plentiful, I would go with over-fertilization as well. Come to think of it, I've maybe fertilized my hibiscus once in the year since I've planted them and I can't count the buds on most of them.

even the mildest of organic insecticides and fungacides can cause this problem immediatly following application.

I clicked on the link above and here is what it said about bud drop:

Notice buds dropping excessively? "Bud Drop" is a sign of stress. It is occasionally a problem, especially with double-blooming varieties, during excessively hot weather. Some hibiscus cultivars are more sensitive to heat and seem to drop buds almost naturally under these conditions. Hibiscus grow best in daytime temperatures ranging between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Not all "bud drop" is caused by excessive heat. Any stressful condition can prompt the plant to drop its buds. In many cases the cause is one of the following: lack of water, too much water, wind, heavy rain, insects (especially: hibiscus midges or thrips) and/or an unbalanced feeding formula. Try moving the plant into a more shaded area and regulate the watering more closely.

Blomma - that's some interesting information. It's been mid-90's for weeks here, and I haven't noticed any bud drop (except for the one I transplanted to another location). I find it interesting that the site suggests moving hibiscus to a more shaded area. I thought hibiscus were full sun and didn't like shady conditions for maximum bloom potential?

I have a variegated hibiscus that gets ONLY morning sun. Otherwise as soon as the temps hit 90 it starts dropping buds and will even shed leaves. But, it is in a container....I think it has more to do with excessive heat to the roots, and with high temps, plants in containers have a greater problem with the roots overheating. The variegated hibiscus in the ground is in full sun with no problems (well, too much rain and a few bugs...grin). Pots can get really hot sitting in direct sun, and the soil heats up more quickly also. The Cajuns are a little more heat tolerant, but they too will start bud drop planted in containers when the temps start staying above 90.

What kind of containers do you have them in?

I have a few in pots that also had bud drop this year. But ... I had moved them into a different spot where they were getting hot afternoon sun instead of morning sun. I finally got smart and moved them back to their original place but it was too late. Very few blooms this year.

Hi all,

So I have been in school my entire adult life, but now finished and starting to garden. Don't really know much except I like a wide variety of flowers. I have a hibiscus and it has been dropping buds as well. So as you know I am new to gardening and curious about this thread......so here is my question; should my hibiscus be keeping its flowers indefinitely? Thanks in advance.

Cyn, I am not sure I understand your question. Hibiscus put out buds and it usually takes a few days from formation to opening. After they open, depending on the hibiscus you have, the flower will be around for anywhere from a single day to two or three days. Then it will close, and in a day or so drop the bloom petals and possibly start to form a seed pod. Most of those, you cut off to keep the plant tidy and blooming. I hope that helps.

Cynccrn: I'm not sure what your question is asking? Maybe I should finish my coffee and read it again.

Thank goodness Melsalz..... I got a second cup and was still not exactly sure....brain is really fuzzy and furry without the VAT O'COFFEE in the morning....grin

Moon, Glad we're both in agreement, whew

I hear ya Mel. But, I AM easily confused, glad to know I am not stumbling around alone....grin

Cyn - If by indefinitely you mean an unlimited supply of blooms, then yes, your hibiscus should bloom flower after flower for as long as your bloom season allows (down here in S. Fla, that is year-round). If you were referring to the flower being present for an indefinite period of time, then the answer if no, and you can see posts above regarding the lifespan of the hibiscus flower (1-3 days depending on variety, weather conditions, etc.). If you were referring to the botany definition of the word 'indefinite', then yes, some axes are indeterminate and branch out to grow into further elongation without the formation of buds and flowers, though these tend to grown along said axis.

I see you had your coffee BEFORE you read Cyn's post, Grantman. Good on you for being awake...grin

Hey Cyn, what he said....grin

Oh, another thing that is sometimes hard to spot is white fly. They love hibiscus and will cause bud drop. sevin liquid gets rid of them, but usually takes 2 or 3 spaced out applications.

Yeah I can't do anything without my coffee lol...I don't know how I get to work without it, as I don't drink any until I get here!

Grantman on auto-pilot.....good car....does it talk, or just take directions? grin

Haha my gps talks but her voice got annoying after 2 days so I put her on mute lol...Something I would never say about my wife, honest! :)

Certainly not within her hearing distance....grin Why don't they get someone like Kathleen Turner to do those gps voices? No one would turn her off....maybe you could choose your voice...Kathleen Turner for men. Antonio Banderas for women?.....none of us would get out of the car.......grin

Hahaha you would be making wrong turns just to get her/him to recalculate your routes...

Be kinda like the old Kingston Trio song about Boston mass transit....Oh he never returned, no he never returned and his fate is still unlearned......

Not familiar with that one. Perhaps before my time. 24-years-young here lol....

Okay, my youngest child has 8 years on you....grin. The guy got on the train and the system was so confusing he was never heard from again.....guess ya had to be there....LOL

Haha I guess it's one of those had-to-be-there deals lol...

Did we adequately assist in answering the questions? I honestly can't remember what we were talking about lol...

I think it had to do with hibiscus bud drop''''I think we'll have to wait til Andrea comes back on line to know if we have helped....You Mel and I sort of "kept the thread warm" for her. Grin

Hi everyone, I am back from vacation - Thanks for all the info on hibiscus. I have all of mine in pots and the pots are raised on 'legs' so not to rot the deck. The biggest one is in a very large glazed ceramic pot (it is a cajun and has Chili Chilly ornamental peppers with it), the other is in a terra cotta pot and small ones that I purchased recently and I have NO pots for them are all doing the same thing, dropping their buds. They all had a lot of buds but very few grew up to be flowers. I believe that I over fertilized them. I do have a horticulture degree but for not for my zone (ha, ha) since I am new to subtropical and tropical plants. I am even trying plumerias and jatropha. I know many insects and have been battling with aphids, but no white fly, thrips or such. Anyway, I digress...........I just got in and we are in the middle of a tropical storm so I have not gotten out to take a look - guess I really have bud drop now!

By the way, if you get a chance to see Jersey Boys you must go - it was wonderful.
Andrea

Andrea, here is a thumbnail Q&A for hibiscus, sorry if it is too basic.

http://www.trop-hibiscus.com/q.a.html

Just want all of those who were a big help know that my hibiscus are recovering. All but one have begun flowering once again. Thanks to you all. Andrea

That's great! I've had some recent problems with my hibiscus due to pests, but I'm treating them and hope they start blooming again. I do have one hibiscus bush, about 5' tall, that seems immune to everything going on around it. The plants around it could get infested, and it would remain vigilant. It's a double-pedal deep red hibiscus and, I kid you not, I can't count the buds on it. It likes to go through stages where it will open 20 flowers at once, then none, then another bunch, then none, though the "none" period lasts no more than a few days. Good job on your improvement! These are hands-down my favorite type of plant.

Just looked again this morning and all are blooming BUT Cajun. This plant was in a four inch pot in April when I bought it, it is now three feet tall and I have had to stake it. I am hoping to keep my hibiscus healthy through the winter here. We are in zone 8b or 9 since we are on the beach. Less than a mile away it becomes 8b or maybe even 8a. We may be moving off the beach soon (tired of the tourists) so I am not sure how to treat these. I will let the leaves fall and then guard them through the winter. A few of them are the kind that are forced by nurseries and greenhouse people, but I think they will do just fine. I also have plumerias that I have started - none have flowered yet. We had tropical storm Claudette visit us this week that set many of my beautiful containers back including the plumerias - one was going to flower now I don't even see the growth were the flower bud was - dang it! The petunias are pretty pooped as well. Looking forward to cooler weather and pansies for the fall and winter months. Thanks Grantman31 and Moonhowl for your help

We are in the same zone.The Cajun will need protection over the winter, but if you have a sunny window, you can bring it in for the few cold nights we get. They do okay in the 40's, but lower than that and they get hinkey....

I think its getting too much water, is it in a place where drainage is not good?

Flowers Delight - It is getting very good drainage. The problem came about because I was fertilizing every Saturday with and I already had a slow release in the soil. Lots of buds, but no flowers today!

I planted some, then my husband built a shed in front of them which in turn shaded them to the point they never bloomed so had to move them. That may be your problem.I think they like lots of morning sun.