I purchased two tree hibiscus 2 weeks ago. They have been blooming very heavily. Last week I decided to feed them with Schultz's liquid plant food. Yesterday, I noticed the leaves, on the one that is in direct sun, were drooping, so I watered it again. Looks a bit better this morning, but now the other one that is partly shaded, half under a roof, has leaves beginning to droop! Now what do I do? they are still in their original gallon pots. Doris
Hibiscus in trouble
Could be too much fertilizer, or being moved from their location where you bought them from. They are usually really pushed with fert. so they will bloom hevily. If it is really hot at your place, wouldn't hurt to protect them a little from the sun, if not, think they will be ok. Sure hope so.
If the hibiscus is large, in the sun and in a gallon pot, it's going to take a lot of water. If they are potbound they may need a bigger pot.
They are looking a bit better, but leaves still on the wilty side. They are both about 5 feet tall. Then you think I should put them in a bigger pot? Do I need a special soil to fill in when I transplant them?. I have Miracle Grow potting soil on hand, or do they need something more substantial?
Hopefully that will take care of the overfertilizing, and I will keep them in the shade then, until they adapt. that is, if they will adapt! Would it help if I sprayed the dirt off the roots and used all new soil? Sorry to ask all these dumb things but I never had plants like these before. (Rather neat!)
Wow, if they are 5' tall, they sure do need repotting! I use Perlite/potting soil/peat. Take out, spread the roots as much as possible, if they are rootbound, which I suspect they are.
Trim back some of the top, any that doesn't have buds/blooms, to help with the transplanting shock to the roots. Keep in semi shade until they recover. Good luck!