Request for suggestions for Hibiscus Fertilizers

Hi,

I am looking for recommendations and/or recipes for organic fertilizers for hibiscus that can be used on the potted plants.

Thank you for your help.

I use special hibiscus fertilizer that I bought from www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com You don't necessarily need to use special fertilizer though, just be aware that hibiscus don't want too much phosphorus (the middle number). So those "bloom booster" fertilizers with high levels of phosphorus that people use to make other plants bloom a lot will not work well for hibiscus. Look for something that's got a lower middle number and you should be fine.

Thank you for your reply. I use Carl Pool's Hibiscus Ferts, but I am looking to go organic.

I have had email correspondence with Father Gerlich, who is the president of the local hibiscus society. He recommends irrigating the pots to wash out all the salts every few weeks. If I go organic, the chance of salt buildup reduces, and that is my goal.

http://www.loyno.edu/~gerlich/NOHS/Container_Growing.html

Going organic should be fine--most organic fertilizers don't have super high amounts of N, P, or K so you don't have to worry as much about them getting too much phosphorus. That's really the most important thing, beyond that I don't think it'll really matter that much what fertilizer you use.

Thank you for the reassurance. I will try to get the one with low P content as advised.

MajiA - I joined the "Red Stick Hibiscus Association" and they recommend "Space City Fertilizer".... They are closely associated with the New Orleans Hibiscus Association so let me know if you need that contact information...
We had folks from New Orleans at our last meeting.... so I'm sure you can attend a meeting you are more than welcome !
Mary

Thank you Mary for your offer. I contacted Dr. Gerlich with the NO Chapter and he made some suggestions. I am right now trying to make up my mind :)

Thanks again and hope we all have a great time and enjoy our hibbies.

That would be Great ! Wonder what Dr. Gerlich suggested?
It was an easy decision for me.... I went to a Spring Show at LSU....and they were giving TWO Hibiscus plants for joining. At $30 for the club fee.. that was a BARGAIN! So I joined ...and got a free "Bon Temps" Cajun hibby.... it's already bloomed and gorgeous. Then I was given an "Acadiana Spring". It's smaller but can't wait till it gets bigger and bloomed.

The first meeting was really informative and I am learning a lot. I just tried doing cuttings a couple weeks ago for the first time. So far so good ! :)

Mary,

I am quoting Dr. Gerlich verbatim, so I hope he does not mind.

"More plants are killed from too much rather than too little fertilizer. Any good water soluble hibiscus fertilizer is fine for foliar feeding, and I use what I have handy. See the section on the website dealing with fertilizers. I also like to give plants some fish emulsion, but that is mainly in the Spring to awaken the soil bacteria. "

Good luck.

Wonderful...

Interesting ... our president quoted Gerlich in today's Daily email which he sends out. The RSHA (local chapter) encourages the foliar feeding and fish emulsion as well....
but I'm glad you posted... because It is making me wonder if I am "over" fertilizing...

So Thank you !

I hope this helps others looking for information from a veteran hibiscus specialist on fertilizing.

Thanks.

I have been using miracle grow which woke my 2 hibs up. They are budding now. I am fighting tiny white flies and am spraying with 7 liquid in hopes to get rid of them.

One of mine is "Gumbo File'".

Plantsforpeg,

good to know that MG is working for you. I am not a big fan of MG ferts and have been generally trying to wean myself out of them. Instead, I have been trying to come up with my own or some specialized mixes. I believe it is beneficial to my plants and to my family as a whole. As for spraying, I like dish soap with neem oil, fish emulsion and kelp mixed in water and sprayed late in the evening. It does not get rid of all the bugs and pests, but again, I believe it is less dangerous for me and my family to be around the plants sprayed that way.

Good luck and keep us posted of your progress.

Thank you.

I was spraying with Neem, but with the high temperatures I have stopped using it.

plants for peg: Miracle Gro almost killed one of my hibbies... they don't like that middle number...

No matter what you spray with, try to spray it late in the day. This helps the plants. The chemical sprays must be more stressful to the plant than Neem, at least that is my opinion.

Good luck.

Guess I need to back off the Miracle Grow and spray in the afternoons instead of first thing in the morning.

Maybe these won't die like my last one.

I'm using Neem on mine as well for the white bugs... Also "Space City Fertilizer".... I've been given a sample by our local Hibiscus club... but looking to buy more....

I can't find the reference but read in one of the forums about people adding one (or a fraction) tsp of Hydrogen Peroxide and vinegar to one gallon of water and water the plants once a week or so. It is supposed to be very beneficial. Can anyone confirm this? I think this should not be applied as foliar feed as it will definitely defoliate.

Thanks.

MajiA... . our Hibiscus Club President (Red Stick Hibiscus Club) has recommended that we add 1 TB of vinegar to each gallon of water that we water with here in Baton Rouge....because our water is very acidic here..... I haven't tried this yet as I've been watering with rain water....

not sure of the hydrogen peroxide though......

Peroxide works by releasing oxygen. It acts as an oxygen supplement for plants. It seems to really support both good health and strong growth for plants.

Hydrogen peroxide can also help with soil fungus: it aerates the soil, and it is anti-fungal. (It is also anti-bacterial.)

I have read about HP but not tried it. I google'd it once and found a chart for mixing. It can be used on all garden and container plants.

Thank you MaryandLance and plantsforpeg. I am still a little worried adding vinegar and HP, but probably will start doing that in mild doses every week instead of every watering. I think we should conditions the plants slowly to these chemicals too. One of the problems I see about HP is that it is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. It is a good thing because it kills the pathogens but I am worried it killing the good guys too. These are the mycorrhizae (Sp?) and soil bacteria that help to fix nitrogen and other nutrients for the plants.

Basically, I am looking for some personal experience before I take that leap of faith.

Thanks.