question

I gave 2 trop hibs to my dbf. The poor man has the worst luck I really thought that these would be ok for him. He transplanted them into other pots. The snow queen recovered but the el capitalio decided to be a prima dona. It dropped its leaves but has begun to put on new ones. It still looks sad. However, it has put on some buds. I'm thinking the buds should be plucked so that its energies can go to recovery. What do y'all think?

Anne

I'm not sure to be honest. I guess if it was me I would just let it do its thing for the time being and let it adjust some more on its own. LOL If the poor man has the worst luck with plants, let him see some blooms. Maybe that will help his confidence!!!

Jon

Maybe so, lol. I gave him these because it's pretty hard to kill a hibiscus so long as you water and feed occasionally. I even picked out the place in his yard to place the containers. I was amazed at their condition. He's even managed to kill kalanchoes. I didn't think anyone could do that.

LOL. Well he must either over water or under water things I would guess. My guess would be under watering???
Jon

I've no idea. It's only recently that he could get anything to live. He has luck with Cannas (I don't see how he couldn't though), irises, and daylilies. He loves roses but has the worst luck with them. Bless his heart he works in my yard just about every time he comes to visit. My yard looks great, or would if it weren't so hot. Perhaps if the hibbies live it'll break his curse.

LOL you can kill kalanchoe, but you have to work at it!
When I put my hibiscus out in the spring, and this was a chilly, damp one here in MA, quite often they drop a lot of leaves. I have had them go completely bald. However, some fertilizer and they come back beautifully and need to be pruned back in the fall to take inside again because they grow so big. This particular one, 'Heaven Scent' was one of the sticks this spring. It just bloomed for the first time this summer two days ago. It's only at the end of July and through August that they actually get all the heat that they like here in MA. All of 10 of mine are blooming gangbusters at the moment. I like to use time release fertilizer designed for flowers. They love it.
Martha

Martha, that is a beautiful flower. Worth waiting for. Thanks for sharing.

Judy

Anne, can I have one of each when I come to your house? I'll even pull weeds or something for them!!!
lol
:~)

Not a problem, Smockette. I know which is the Snow Queen and since the Peach Capitalio bloomed today I know which one it is. You'll see what I mean when you get here.

Anne

P.S. Be careful what you promise I might take you up on the weeding thing. Bill worked out in the yard weeding the daylily and iris beds. I didn't lose as many daylilies as I was afraid that I had. I bought a bunch of new ones that I've got to get planted tomorrow. I had a bad case of some bug on my brugs on the north side of the porch, so I sprayed everything with Avid. I may be imagining things but they look a little greener already.