Yellow leaves?

Hi all...
I'm new to Dave's, and slowly finding my way to the right boards! I just started keeping hibiscus this year, and have several -- all in containers. My largest one, the red one, has barely bloomed this summer but remains to all appearances healthy and full of green leaves. My others are all smaller, 1-gallon and 5-gallon containers, were blooming when I bought them, but have sinced stopped. That was fine, because all the leaves were green. Now though, in the last week, the leaves on these smaller containered ones have started turning yellow. I am watering them often, so I doubt that they are thirsty, and they are getting plenty of sun. What could be the reason for yellow leaves???? I'm so worried!!! I baby these guys and don't want to lose them so soon (I just got these smaller ones in June).

Any help GREATLY appreciated!! I still have so much to learn!!!

Looking forward to meeting everyone here!!!

...Kim

Kim, I grew hibiscus there in SD when I lived there years back, they can be touchy in pots there, has to do with the potting mixes.Keep them watered but not WET.If they get real dry one or two times..they will drop some of the leaves. Check with the guys at Hidden Valley Hibiscus in Fallbrook, they are even having an open house this weekend.300 kinds of tropical hibiscus.

www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com

they welcome questions from local growers and hobbyists. and yu gonna drool over the pics.
Kyle

Oh.... and welcome to the forums...*GRIN* :-)

Wow! Thanks Kyle for the great welcome...and the tip on Hidden Valley Hibiscus! OMG the pix are amazing you weren't kidding.

I'm glad you had the same deal with hibiscus when you were here...them being touchy in pots. I am definitely seeing this. I used Miracle Grow potting mix, but I might be overwatering them. I don't really give them a chance to dry out much because it seems like almost overnight their leaves will droop.

I'm gonna go now and spend more time at the Hidden Valley site...maybe get more info!

Thanks again...nice to meet you!


Kim

:-)



No problem

Welcome to Dave's, Kim!

We're a fun, if dangerous bunch... hang around here a while and the number of hibiscus in your yard will magically quadruple...lol...

Thanks, Tess!!!

It is SO nice to meet such a warm welcoming bunch!!

Once I get the container situation solved for my current hibiscus...I'm ready for more!

Hey, for those who grow hibiscus in container, what does everyone use for potting soil? I'm getting ready to repot mine and want to do the right thing...

...and Clare...I'm STILL reading the FAQs!!! I work a lot of hours, so I can only read a little at a time...but...there is SO much info in there! Thanks again!

Kim

Kim, we don't have SuperSoil here but thats what I used out there, here I Use Fafard brand Professional potting mix or Schultzes brand houseplant mix.

I just use plain old Miracle Gro potting soil--I'm sure there are better things out there, but I've had pretty good luck with it for most of my containers (Hibiscus and otherwise).

Hi islandgurl -- It sounds to me like you have maybe overwatered. Try to let them dry out in between waterings. Also, make sure you do not have a saucer under the pot to hold the water. Hibiscus do not like to stand in water. Just a couple of thoughts for you.

My leaves are also turning yellow. I can just see the yellow starting to come through the green leaf. Also, the new buds are all coming in yellow or some of the smaller buds are turning yellow and falling off. Any suggestions? Karen Shaver liebran

thanks for the advice on NOT having a saucer under the pots, ms_merae. I am doing (or was!) exactly that because I thought they were drying out too fast.

I have not had much luck this year with the Miracle Grow soil with other plants, so I'm hesitant to try it again. But, it might be me and the overwatering thing. I have SUCH a hard time NOT watering things!

I have tried SuperSoil and been luckier with that, so I'm thinking this weekend I'll get more of that and use it for the hibiscus--Eclipse when you used it did you mix sand or perlite or bark with it? Or did you just use it plain?

:)
Kim