? re:Overwintering tropical hibs

I have my first tropical hibiscus, Holly's Pride, that I got from TessC in New Orleans. (Which, Tess, I thank you again. It has turned out beautifully!)
It's big and full and now it's starting to get cool outside. Last night, temps in the 50s. Currently, it's hanging out on my deck close to the house.
My ? is this: When do I need to bring it into my basement? I don't have room to winter it upstairs because the rooms with lots of sunlight are taken up w/ kids and their stuff. And once it's down there, what do I do? Should I strip the leaves or let them fall off naturally? I know to go easy on the water. It will be keeping my brugs company.
Anything special I should do?
If you've gotten this far, Thanks. :-)
LoraB.
z6 (NW Boston suburbs)

Check this site out has a lot of good information. Go down and click on Hibiscus Care and Information. Then click on Winter Care.


http://www.atouchofthetropics.net/index.html

This message was edited Sep 11, 2006 9:05 AM

This message was edited Sep 11, 2006 9:06 AM

Oh I hate to think of winter coming so fast.

you and me both

Thanks for that website 2pugdogs!

I read the website and now I've got a list of hibs to buy next spring!!!
THEN I read the winter care section... :-)

When does everyone normally bring your tropicals inside to go dormant? What temps should I be aware of? Mine is currently close to the house so it gets a bit of reflected heat.

Lora

When the nights start to get into the 40's I think about putting them in the GH. I like to keep mine all about 40* if anyway possible. But I know last year in the GH there were a few times it got to 38* and it didn't bother them. But then it may not have stayed at that temp. for long either. But then mine really didn't go dormant last year, because I still got some blooms every so often. I know my big tree had lost all its leaves and then there would be a flower blooming, kinda weird looking, but neat.

Hey Lora- glad it's worked out well for you! I kept a few for myself, and for the most part, they've gotten very big and full. I'm thankful that I don't have to find spots around my house to overwinter these beasts...lol


(Sorry about the delay, I'm just catching up on all the news.)

Lora,
Here in Saugus I am going to start trimming my hibiscus back and bringing them into my sunroom. Like starting this week and weekend. I have several ones in very large pots and one that is a tree trained as a standard as well as several smaller pots. I try not to let them get too close to first frost which the weather man was saying might show up around here at the end of the month. aggghhhhh! Lovely New England Weather!
Martha