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The gorgeous blooms of a hibiscus plant are one of the best ways to light up your day. Thankfully, they are fairly easy to grow. You just need to ensure that you provide them with the right soil conditions. So, will hibiscus require ericaceous compost?
Yes. Hibiscus plants will require slightly acidic soil. Ericaceous compost is commonly used to lower the pH to the preferred levels. In addition to ericaceous compost, it’s recommended that gardeners apply fertilizer to add nutrients to the soil.
When growing a hibiscus, you must pay attention to the environment you plant it in. As long as you get this element right, you shouldn’t have any issues growing these plants. Keep reading to learn more about the type of conditions you should create.
Why Do Hibiscus Like Ericaceous Compost?
Ericaceous compost is known for its acidity. Because of this, plants that will need alkaline soil will struggle with this type of compost. The good news is that this isn’t the case for the hibiscus. They tend to prefer a slightly acidic environment. Their ideal pH level is between 6.5 to 6.8
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There are a few ways that you can lower the soil pH to bring it into the ideal range, like using sulfur. Though the best option is often to use ericaceous compost, especially if you only need to make a slight alteration. You can monitor the pH level of the soil through regular testing.
The only exception to this approach is H. syriacus. This variety prefers to be planted in acidic soils. As a result, they won’t respond well to ericaceous compost. Instead, it’s best to use general-purpose compost.
In addition to the compost, you can add some fertilizer to the soil. This will encourage the plant to produce the spectacular blooms that they have become famous for. It’s best to choose something that will be high in nitrogen and phosphorous.
These are the first and last numbers listed in the NPK value, which measures the amount of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous in the mix.
It’s best to apply the fertilizer at the start of the growing season. This gives the hibiscus a boost as it is growing, allowing it to dedicate more resources to creating stunning blooms.
What Type Of Growing Conditions Does The Hibiscus Need?
The hibiscus will thrive in loamy soil, which receives full sunlight. They are sensitive to cold weather and particularly dislike frost. When blooming, hibiscus plants will require a lot of water. After the growing season is over, the watering can be reduced to prevent waterlogging.
Finding the right compost is a good place to start. But there are a few other elements that you need to consider to make sure that you are creating the ideal conditions to grow hibiscus. These include:
- Choose well-drained soil. Hibiscus won’t do well in soil that is too damp. Because of this, you might want to choose a peat-free mix. If you are still having drainage problems, you might want to consider adding some sand to the mix.
- Provide full sun. Hibiscus will need to be placed in a location that allows it to get plenty of sunlight. It’s also a good idea to choose something that will offer some protection from chilly winds.
- Avoid cold weather. This plant is a little sensitive to cold weather, which is why they tend to do best in warmer climates. So you don’t want to place them in an area that gets frost.
- Grow in a pot. You can grow hibiscus outdoors. Though it’s most common to put it into a pot, especially if you live in a colder area. Because of this, you will be able to bring it indoors if the weather is getting too chilly. Though you might need to re-pot them after a few years. This ensures that the soil is always fresh.
- Water frequently. When they bloom, hibiscus plants will need a lot of water. Because of this, you might need to water them daily. Though in winter, you will need to cut back on the water. Keep an eye on soil moisture and only water when the soil is dry to the touch.
Before you start preparing the garden to plant the hibiscus, you’ll need to decide what type of plant you want. This will often depend on the type of weather in your local area. It might also depend on the color of the bloom you want.
There are two varieties of hibiscus for you to choose from, either tropical or hardy. Hardy varieties are designed to go outside, so they will be able to survive a wide range of climate conditions.
For example, they can survive a minimum temperature of 44 Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius). Tropical are inside plants and can be a little harder to grow.
How To Care For Hibiscus
Hibiscus will need to be pruned frequently. Each old bloom will need to be removed after a few days. At the end of the growing season, dead branches will need to be cleared. It’s also important to take precautions to protect against diseases and fungal infections.
The good news is that taking care of a hibiscus plant is relatively easy. As long as you provide the right planting conditions, you shouldn’t have any problems. But there are a few simple things you’ll need to do to keep the plants in good health.
First, you will need to make sure that you are pruning the plant frequently. In many cases, a bloom will only last for one to two days. Then, it will start to close up. It’s best to trim them off the plant when it begins to shrivel. It stops the plant from placing more resources into maintaining these blooms.
As the growing season comes to an end and the cold weather approaches, you should take the time to trim off any dead growth which is slowing the plant down. You should also look over the plants for signs of diseased branches.
These will need to be removed before the sickness can spread. Try to leave at least two or three nodes on the branches to encourage future growth.
Sadly, the hibiscus can be an attractive target for pest species. You will need to take steps to control the spread of these diseases. First, you should carefully inspect the leaves of the plants regularly.
This ensures that you will be able to spot when pests first emerge, stopping the infestation before it has a chance to begin. A natural insecticide can prove invaluable in keeping your plants safe.
Little actions can also stop fungal infections. For example, you shouldn’t water the plants at night and should avoid getting the leaves wet. You should also make sure that you don’t stack the compost around the base of the plant, as this can create a place for fungal diseases to take hold.
Lastly, an outdoor plant might appear to die during a harsh winter frost. The remedy is to cut it down to a height of five inches (13 centimeters). As the weather warms up and the ground starts to warm up, the plant will grow back from the roots.
Final Thoughts
When done right, hibiscus plants will grow easily. You just need to ensure that you are giving them the right conditions. A key part of this is using some ericaceous compost to lower the soil pH levels, as hibiscus requires slightly acidic soil.
If you can do this, you’ll be able to enjoy their showstopping floral blooms.
Sources
- https://www.pennington.com/all-products/fertilizer/resources/secrets-to-growing-vibrant-hibiscus
- https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-hibiscus/
- https://www.bhg.com.au/how-to-grow-hibiscus
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/type-soil-hibiscus-flowers-41769.html
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/how-to-care-for-hibiscus-plants.htm
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/outdoor-hibiscus-care.htm