Spindly-looking Hibiscus

West Palm Beach, FL

I have approximately 50 hibiscus planted around my house. All were planted at the same time about two years ago. All are quite healthy and filled out except the 4-5 plants in the accompanying picture. I have cut them back, along with all the others, fertilized them, and, about 6 weeks ago, replanted them raising them some 3-4", thinking that possibly they were getting too much water from the irrigation system. I put several inches of small rocks in the bottom of the hole and included several shovels full of a moisture control planting soil. The plants are quite alive, and show some blooms. They also get exactly the same sun/shade, etc, as the other plants. However, unlike all the other plants these refuse to fill out. Any comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thumbnail by lsritchie
Dublin, CA(Zone 9a)

I'd get rid of the moisture control potting mix--if your problem was too much water then it's going to have the opposite effect of what you want since it's got those crystals in it to hold onto moisture. Assuming it was a moisture problem to begin with and you fix that, hopefully they should perk up eventually, but don't expect to see immediate results. Since you had to dig the plants up in the process, they're going to probably suffer a bit of transplant shock, and then they're going to have to establish themselves all over again, so you'll have to give them some time.

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