Hardy hibiscus...one long branch

Hi. Got the hardy hibicus from the infamous co-op, not the good one, lol.

They looked dead when I got them, basically just sticks with dry roots. Soaked for a week in water until I saw some signs of life, potted one up inside, one outside with a soda bottle "greenhouse".

The outside one has multiple sprouts about an inch or 2 long, a little progress every day.

The inside has green buds, and ONE branch about 18 inches long. It's outside now in a container and looks fine, hasn't grown any since I put it out (last night was its first overnight outside), so it's still green buds and one long branch.

SHould I cut that branch? Like pinching off? Or what? I was so afraid they weren't going to grow, being the condition received, I was so relieved t see anythign growing from them.

I'd just thump it into the ground and not worry about it. It will very likely send up more shoots as the season goes on. Mine are in various containers of water around my house and patio (I intend to plant them, I just haven't gotten that far yet) and they have shoots of different lengths and diameters all over the place. I agree this was a very disappointing co-op, but the bright side is that these plants are tough and will probably do pretty well.

Razzie,

You might want to trim the one long branch back to where it has 4-6 leaf nodes or half it's length. The bit of branch that's left should send out new leaves from each of the nodes and the plant should send out new branches from the base, as well.

The 30+ branches I trimmed off mine I put in 4" pots with soil, watered well and then put them into a large clear plastic box in strong indirect light. If I get any to root I'll have just that many more of whatever variety they eventually turn out to be...... (can you see my eyes rolling?)


Another of those snookered,

Donna
all but 1 of mine made it

Thanks, Sylvie and Donna.

I hardened it off, it's been really warm here and zero growth from the buds, still, and no more from the one branch. I'm going to cut it off like you suggest, Donna and see what happens.

The one I potted up and put right outside is growing pretty consistently, a little bit at a time from all buds.