Last year I acquired a rooted cutting of Confederate Rose (hibiscus mutabilis) As often happens, I couldn't decide where to plant it, so I put it in a large pot on the south end of my covered porch. It received plenty of sun and water and managed a few blooms in the fall. It remained there, somewhat protected, during the winter with occassional watering. Now, I watch it daily for signs of life. The stems aren't brittle, but no indication that it's still alive. Should I give up on it or is it normally a late arrival?
Confederate Rose
I would just leave it alone and see what happens - nature if full of surprises!
Scratch the stem with your thumb nail if you see green it's still alive if you don't I would cut the branches back and see if it come back from it's roots. I have yellow bells that die back every year and don't show signs of life until I'm sure they're dead.
My confederate rose I cut to the ground this January,but our temps in Houston have been way up there, but it was leafing out when I was home 3 weeks ago 2 to 4 leafs up, don't know how sturdy it would be in a pot, but this one lived for 2 years in water in a cut off milk jug, before I decided where to stick it in the ground, make sure its in full sun.
Mine are about 18-24" tall now in the ground and those in pots are 10"...after our awful winter, I would wait to see....
Thanks so much for your replies!
I will wait a little longer, but I'm not feeling too optimistic about it. We did have a colder than normal winter.
The Texas Star Hibiscus that was in the pot next to it is already in it's new garden spot and about 24" tall.
We are so far behind on rainfall this spring, I've been trying to get things in the ground as early as possible.
I have a dbl pink, when it gets more grown, I will take cuttings if anyone is interested,
I have a dbl pink, when it gets more grown, I will take cuttings if anyone is interested,
ha, i found it had to move it, proud of me,
kittriana I don't know how to root a confederate rose but would love to try some cuttings when yours are large enough. Thank you for the offer.
Nia3 have you tried to scratch the bark with your thumb nail to see if it is green? I hope yours is showing life by now. :o)
Confederate rose in our area? take a switch, stick it in the ground, water with light fertilizer and stand back, I bury abt 6" in the ground, and water for a year, then good luck at ever getting rid of it
Sounds so easy maybe even I can do it. Don't think I will ever want to get rid of it. Thanks!!!
My double pink is leafed out all the way up. They were planted on the Southside of my house. I have some rooted cuttings if anybody wants some. I just stick them in a bucket and leave them outdoors. About a month until they have roots.
Mine is struggling to come back this year. I think the difference is the drought. Normally, cold winters don't bother it at all but I have been negligent about watering it and noticed it is stunted.
Nia3 ~ don't worry overly much. These have all summer to grow and develop. Some years my plant remains shorter but still blooms. Other years, the blooms are so high I can't reach them.
Quoting:
I have some rooted cuttings if anybody wants some
I would love a couple steadycam3. LMKP
ILJ, Im in Houston so I could just meet you in the middle and hand them off rather than risk breaking the roots in the mail. They are not potted up, just in a vase of water with roots. LMK
steadycam3 I would love to meet up with you. My truck is broke down at the moment so I will have to get back with you when I can do this. Thank you so very much.
OK. Just let me know and we'll set it up. Cam