Hard pruning

I have Margarita Sunrise in a very, very large pot and it has become a tree. In Zone 8 and the last two winters have been horrendous.
Always put it in the tool shed with lots of light and heat. Really need to prune for size but don't know exactly how or if I will somehow damage it. Been through a summer of 71 days over 100 and probably 30 more just under 100 so it has been stressed way too much. I kept it in shade and watered one to two times a day. Has been blooming now for about 2 weeks since the temps dropped and we had some rain. It is just too large for the space I have to overwinter. Help!

I hard pruned mine last year and placed them in the garage. They are in morning sun and afternoon shade and they have bloomed all summer. They are on an irrigation system. I cut one back that was in the courtyard not doing well and getting leggy about 3 weeks ago. It has now placed buds and getting ready to bloom so I think they like pruning. Love Sharon

Thank you, Sharon. Hope you are doing well.

I am great. Heavenly Father is behind me every day holding me up. Sharon

I was wondering if I could prune mine back this fall? It is getting leggy also. How far can I do it. It is about 3 ft all now. Also should I give it some food after I prune it and bring it in?

This message was edited Oct 28, 2011 6:21 AM

Marle,
You can cut it back by a third.
As far as feeding it after pruning and bringing it in; that depends on where and how you are going to overwinter it.
Are you going to keep it in your house"?
Barb

Yes It will be coming in the house and I am going to put it back in the same place I had it last year. It did well there, with morning sun and next to the dryer duct.

Since it won't be going dormant, you can fertilize it. Just be aware, since there will be less plant, it won't need watering as much.
Also, it will take several months for the stems to grow back enough for them to bloom. You might want to keep some of the branches untrimmed so you can enjoy blooms this winter.
Barb

I am not worried about blooms this winter, I just want a better live plant next spring.

Well then, prune away! ;)
Barb

So am I reading the we are suppose to take hybiscus in for the winter? I have mine planted in the front yard!!! Really love it and do not want it to die. It is a Jazzberry Jam maybe it matters if its a tropical. I should go to the top and read which one you are talking about! lol.

I move my tropical inside. My hardy love the cold. Sharon

We are talking about the tropical 's that we need to bring in during the winter.

gardenlady123 your jazzberry jam is fine outside, just cut it down for the winter. I usually cut mine to about 6 or 8" from the dirt. These sticks are dead and will not return next spring, but new shoots will grow from the bottom. I say to leave 6-8" sticks so you remember where they are in the spring. they will be the last of your plants to pop up almost july before you see them.. DONT THINK ITS DEAD, and dig it up.. Its very hardy and will survive your zone no problem..

Very pretty flower i must say, i had a jazzberry before i moved and loved it.. Sadly i had to leave it behind, however to my surprise last summer i got a seed pod.. Only one so i dont think its seeds like normal ones do.. But i however did get to bring a few seeds along with me..
hope that helps
jen

Jazzberry Jam in a Hibiscus moscheutus.
What we're talking about are Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. If yours was one of these, I bet it already would have succumbed to your cold. ; )
Barb

I'm sorry Barb I am kinda new to the hibiscus world! I shouldv'e looked on plant files before jumping into a conversation! Smurf thanks for the info I really appreciate it much. Happy Thanksgiving. Ronna

Not a problem, I've jumped right in before. Nothing wrong with enthusiasm!!!
Our temps are so warm right now, I'm at least one to two weeks away from bringing my plants in for the winter.
Yesterday I was decorating the Christmas Tree tent at work in short sleeves and it's supposed to be in the mid-70's today also.
Barb

ya were in the 70's most days here, last night only got to about 55 over night.. I just moved her this year so not sure whats the normal temps should be, but i'm ok with these. the place i moved from today is only 41, i dont miss that
jen

I'm bringing my hibiscus into the greenhouse and they are leggy. Am I to late to cut them back. They really need a good trim.All these comments were in Oct and Nov., so the question. Thanks Elaine

You can go ahead and prune now or wait. Really doesn't matter.
Many people do it now since it's easier to over winter a smaller plant. Others wait, so that they can root the cuttings, which root better in the Spring.
Barb

Thank you so much. I'm late answering as I haven't been at the computer in a couple of days Thanks Elaine