I have 2 hibiscus that survive in my flower border. This one has been growing for about 4 years. It usually grows beautifully; this year the new foliage is looking like this. Any suggestion, this is one of my wife's favorite plants, I would hate to lose it.
I see no evidence of spider webbing on foliage; the new leaves just cup and curl. Notice this morning buds seem to be forming as usual.
This is the 2nd plant. A new variety I just planted last year. So far has sent up one stalk but the new leaves also seem to be deformed. It is about 20ft away from the other plant. There is a hardwood mulch over newspaper for this one; the first plant is not mulched at all.
Would appreciate any suggestions for culture.
I hope someone responds to you and gives you answers! Seems to be a very quiet forum.
indiana_lily, thanks for being concerned. I finally got to talk to my county agent. We came to the conclusion that some weed killer I sprayed on the lawn nearby drifted on to the plants (which seem to be exceptionally susceptible) and caused deformed new growth.
We are going through exception rainfall right now, so everything is growing like gangbusters. I'm happy to see the lush new growth is normal.
I try to avoid chemicals, but sometimes it seems I just have no choice, but to use them to get things (like a yard full of broad leaf weeds) under control.
I am learning why I want to avoid them at all cost!!
Here's to happy, productive gardening!
Hibiscus with leaf curl on the newest foliage is usually a sign of aphids. They feed by piercing plants and what you generally end up seeing is yellowing, curling or distorted growth particularly on the newest foliage. There are several options for treatment. You can use a strong spray of water all over the plant including the underside of the foliage. This dislodges them from the plant. You can spray the plant with insecticidal soap which washes off the aphids protective waxy coating causing them to dehydrate. If using the water treatment you want to do it every couple of days for several weeks. If using insecticidal soap you want to do it every week for 2 or 3 weeks. The other option is to use an insecticide like Bayer Advanced 3 in 1 insect killer which is mixed with water and sprayed on the plant. Personally I use the insecticide once and it takes care of the problem. I've tried the other options and sometimes it solves the problem and sometimes the problem comes back. The curled foliage will not correct itself, but if your treatment was successful the new growth will appear normally.
Jon
It could be from the weed killer. If the new foliage corrects itself it probably is. If the new foliage doesn't correct itself, then its more likely to be aphids. Sometimes poor soil can cause leaf curl, but that doesn't make sense because the plant has been in its location for several years.
amorecuore, aphid was the very first thought but there was absolutely no sign of insect activity. Both the agent and I checked that immediately. The new growth is good so herbicide damage is the only thing that makes sense.
Hey Jon!
Nice to see you posting. I've seen pictures of your daylilies...when are you going to post some hib pictures?
d
Hi Dee
I guess I've been obsessed/distracted by the Daylilies and all the oddball things that grew and did well during our cool winter. Hadn't been as focused on taking Hibiscus photos the last few months. Not that many blooms right now to be honest. Blooming seems to slow down when the plants readjust back to hot humid days and hot nights. Have a few pictures and will post when I take a few more. How's your collection doing?
I lost quite a few this winter :-( but the rest are just starting to put buds out. Colorful times ahead!
That's too bad. Would have had damage to mine, but brought them all inside on two occasions during the winter. The ones in the ground fared better than I expected because I drenched them prior to the frost nights.
Most of mine were inside too but they were smaller plants and I obviously wasn't able to keep them happy. The larger plants were protected outside and they fared much better. Go figure...
I am defiantly an amature at this, but I just received a cutting of Voodoo Magic Hibiscus from Big Bad Flower and the leaves were curled. At first one was, then within 2 days 3 of them were curled. It is just a tiny plant, so I emailed BBF and he told me to ease up on watering. I have and although the leaves are still curled, they are not as bad. I don't know if maybe you had too much moisture?
Jon, you sound like me - off on the "new" fav flower tangent. I'm obsessed with daylilies too, as you can probably see from my posts over there. I think I've actually got more daylilies than hibiscus now (very scary, lol).
Let's get this hibiscus forum more active! I've got a bunch of pictures to post, and I'll do it this weekend. Blooms here have been, although, not totally abundant, certainly beautiful!
does anyone have any cuttings that they would like to share??
Yes, I've seen your beautiful Daylily photos and enjoy looking at that forum now. My interest has peaked this year because they're doing the best they ever have. Have added 4 new ones to the collection this spring and now have just 14. Not going to add many more I don't think. LOL Other new obsessions this year, due to success, have been Hollyhocks and flowers in the Lupine family. Tried Texas Bluebonnets this winter and they were awesome, so that developed an interest in the Lupine family of plants.
amorecuore, what is that in your beautiful photo? Is that the Texis Bluebonnets? Beautiful!
That's a "Vietnamese Hollyhock". It's a heat tolerant, high rust resistant, short perennial Hollyhock that can be grown in Florida. These are "Texas Bluebonnets".
Jon,
Who is that hibiscus blooming in the background by the pool and why haven't we seen a picture of her?
Looks like I'm gonna have to get some of those Vietnamese hollyhocks! They are beautiful and I'm all for heat and rust resistant!
And just 14? Who do you think you're kidding :-)
LOL That hibiscus is "Rocket's Red Glare". We've all seen it, right? Maybe 13 daylilies instead of 14. LOL Not gonna devote tons of space to something that blooms for 4-6 weeks and then is done. Like them, but not THAT much. Vietnamese Hollyhocks are not easy to find and not exactly sure what they are. Very little online information about them. Very little.
Hmm, I thought you gave Rocket's Red Glare to your brother...or am I remembering wrong?
There are lots of new folks who haven't seen your pictures and I'm always up for seeing any hib again; especially with your artsy eye. :-)
I've given him some, but not that one. His collection is as large as mine now.
