Overwintering tropical potted Hibiscus in Ohio.

Hi folks! :) I'm new to DG as a member, but I've visited the site as a result of web searches many times. I joined so I could ask all you experienced gardeners a few questions. For Mother's Day, my son and his girlfriend always take me to get my annuals and then plant them for me. This year I splurged and bought myself a gorgeous, peach-colored hibiscus tree with coiled trunk. I've loved hibiscus since I was a toddler and we visited my grandma each summer in FL where they grow year-round. I bought a nice pot and have it next to my sunny front beds. I would like to buy a grow light and overwinter it indoors. So here come the questions: 1) in Cuyahoga Falls OH (about 30 miles south of Cleveland) when should it move into the house? (I was thinking late September, but would rather hear from the voice of experience). 2) The tree is about 5 feet tall in its pot -- would a 400W HPS grow light be adequate? 3) How many hours each day should the grow light be on? (I was thinking 12 at LEAST). 4) When is it safe to take the plant back outside in the spring? After Mother's day, we had a few nights where the temperature went down to the mid 30's and it survived very well. Would mid-May be a good target date? 5) Is it necessary to prune the plant during the winter -- or any time of year?

I'll be very grateful for any info any of you can share. I've been researching grow lights online. If anyone has any info or tips to share in that area, I'd also be very grateful for that as well. Thanks very much and happy gardening!

I will wait for the pros to come along but want you to know I love your twisted tree....pretty plant!!!

Ummm, I am not a pro but have grown/rooted tropical hibiscus for over 6 years.

I keep them in pots year round. Set them outside when all chance of frost has passed. This year the leaves got sunburned when I put them out(have had extremely warm dry spring). Trimmed all back to about 1'-1 1/2', set them in a cooler shady place until it rains. Then will put out in sun/semi shade for summer. About Sept., before first frost, take them to basement on table, about 5'-6' from two florescent lights(no grow lights), they bloom all winter. Lights on about 10 hours(on timer). Water sparingly.

If yours' is a tree form, I would only trim lightly as needed. Hope this helps. Good luck.

That is about what I do. I bought a flourescent shop light at Walmart and that is what I use. Mine also bloom all winter. I do tend to have a big leaf drop in late winter or early spring then it greens up again. Before I bring in for the winter, I spray it with a strong force water to get any bugs off and litely spray with an insecticide to reduce the critters I overwinter.

Tammie

Great looking tree with a cool trunk :-)

Everyone, THANKS SO MUCH for all your great replies. I sure like the idea of being able to get a fluorescent shop light rather than pay out $500+ for a grow-light system. Tammie, that's great idea about water spraying and insecticide -- I HATE bugs in my house of ANY kind. I'm so fanatic, I keep a can of Raid in every room of the house! LOL I'm really surprised you have to take your hibiscus in over the winter in TX. Although, you probably don't have to bring it in as early as I would and can probably put it back out earlier too. Here in NE Ohio, our winters can be brutal and are very long.

I just can't get over that coiled trunk! I would love to see a documentary or something on PBS about how they do that. Also, the braided trunks. Must have to train them when they are in the "sapling" stage -- if that word applies to a hibiscus, which it probably doesn't LOL.

THANKS again everyone for your wonderful comments and help. The members here at Dave's Garden are so kind and helpful, it's GREAT!