When does a hibiscus bloom is probably the first question on your mind when you plant this popular flowering shrub.
Most people cannot wait for the promised large, showy, colorful petals to appear as soon as possible. We bring you this guide to answer this question and discuss what factors affect the bloom timing of hibiscus flowers.
When Does A Hibiscus Bloom?
All hardy hibiscus plants bloom from mid-summer to late summer . Once they start to flower, the hibiscus bloom cycle last for about three to four weeks. In regions that experience only mild and relatively warmer winters, hibiscus varieties have also been known to bloom in the fall, although it is not very common.
– Blooming Cycle For Hibiscus
For most hibiscus plants, the Hibiscus cycle begins anytime from early spring to mid-summer. Once the flower buds start to bloom, they carry on blooming for the next three to four weeks. After this time, all the flowers and unopened buds fall off, and the plant stops blooming until the next year.
As for individual flowers, their lifespan is super short and lasts barely a whole day. Most commonly, hibiscus flower buds open at the start of the day, and before its end, it wilts and falls off by night.
– When Watered Properly
A common hibiscus likes frequent watering, from spring to fall, during its growing months. Its soil has to stay consistently moist without being soggy for it to produce its flowers and grow properly. The first week after you plant it in the soil, it must be watered daily.
After that, you must devise a proper watering schedule that keeps it happy and healthy. You have to allow the top two inches of the soil to become just dry and then water right away. You might need to water it at least twice a week during summer. You will have to water it more if the summertime in your area is particularly hot or dry.
That is why we advise all of you growing their hibiscus by themselves to keep a moisture meter at home. Insert the sensor of its device only within the top two inches of the soil. A reading of two or fewer means that you must water the plant immediately.
Overwatering is dangerous and will cause fewer flowers to form and bloom. In severe cases, the flower buds might drop off even before they get a chance to bloom. Your flower yield will be severely impacted and will not be as long-lasting.
– When Fertilized Properly
Hibiscus are exceptionally heavy feeders and like to be fertilized regularly for continual growth and flowering. This plant needs to be fertilized every week in spring and summer. This is when you opt for a liquid chemical fertilizer to give the roots a boost of nutrients.
Liquid fertilizers always come with a risk of causing chemical burns to the growing hibiscus. You must dilute its concentration by adding only four tablespoons of a liquid feed to one gallon of water. Another thing that helps is to water the roots abundantly before feeding them as protection.
Another option is to substitute liquid fertilizer with solid pellet form ones. These are slow-release types, and many people find them to be more convenient to use. All you have to do is to bury them in the soil near the roots after having watered them first. Depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines, you will have to use them once a month or every two months.
Some people want to go completely organic when growing their Hibiscus. A potassium-rich compost is the best option in this case. All you need to do is to take a few handfuls of this compost and mix it within the top soil layers every seven days. Another option is to make compost tea by straining the water out of a water and compost mixture.
– When Given Proper Light
A hardy hibiscus grows and blooms when its light requirements are fulfilled from the start of the growing season in spring. This plant needs about six to eight hours of sunlight to develop and bloom flower buds. That is why you need to plant them someplace that receives adequate sunlight from the start.
If you plan on growing your Hibiscus in a pot or a container indoors, ensure a brightly lit window is available. Place it next to a southern-facing window to receive maximum light. If somehow the hibiscus leaves turn yellow, cover this window during the hottest times of the year.
The eastern and the western windows mostly receive indirect light, and this plant grown next to these windows will face delays in its blooming. The northern facing receives such little light that your plant will bloom very late and in very few numbers.
Don’t worry if your indoor living space has poor lighting. You can easily purchase a full-spectrum artificial grow light installed immediately above the hibiscus. These lights are equally effective as natural light but must stay on for at least 10 to 12 hours daily.
– When Pruned To Promote Earlier Blooming
If you want to grow hibiscus blooms earlier and in more numbers, then one gardening hack is to prune the plant strategically. Early spring before flower buds appears is the perfect time to prune Hibiscus. Cutting off the growing ends of the flowering stems at an angle of 45 degrees will promote the branching of these stems.
Many people use their fingers to snap the stems into two pieces. However, we strongly urge you to use gardening shears or pruners instead. They will make your work so much easier and neater with little risk of crushing the stems.
During the flowering season, most flowers will fall off by the end of the day. You can also cut them off if they persist on the second day. A new flower will bloom sooner rather than later.
Before using pruners or shears:
- Put them in bleach or 70 percent alcohol first.
- At least rub the blades of these instruments with these two disinfectants or any other liquid you like.
- Wash the chemicals off thoroughly using water.
Your instruments are only now safe for use.
– When Safe From Pest and Diseases
Most Hibiscuses are prone to getting infested with pests and attacked by diseases. This is especially true for certain varieties such as the shoe black, confederate rose, and the hibiscus grandiflorus.
Pests, especially those that suck on the sap of the plant, can delay the blooms for that year. These pests are commonly aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites, and scales. Some of these can be easily seen crawling over the plant, while for others, you will have to look closely under the leaves.
Keep a constant check to see if your plant is under attack by pests and take prompt action in such a case. Several effective options are available, and you need to figure out which one you like the most.
FAQ
– How Long Do Hibiscus Plants Live?
The lifespan of hibiscus varies from species to species. The older garden variety type of hibiscus can survive up to 50 years on average. In contrast, the newer and hybrid varieties can last barely five years.
There is also a marked difference in the growth rate of these hibiscus types. The older varieties had exceptional growth and could become several feet long throughout their lifetimes. The newer varieties barely grow several inches tall annually; by the time they become a little bit tall, their life span is already over.
– How long Do Hibiscus Bloom?
Hibiscus flowers bloom for only three to four weeks each year during their flowering period. This period lasts from march till September in most areas of the United States, although there might be exceptions.
Each flower has a bloom period of barely one to three days at a stretch. They bloom early in the day and fall off by night time. However, new flower buds keep opening during this month, one after the other.
– How To Keep Hibiscus Blooming?
To keep these plants blooming, you first need to plant varieties that have the ability to bloom all year round. Only tropical hibiscus types such as swamp rose mallow and halberd-leaf rosemallow falls under this category.
Secondly, you must fulfill all the plant care requirements for these tropical hibiscus plants. Give them plenty of sun, well-draining soil, and frequent watering and feeding. Fertilizing is very important, especially during the spring and summer when the growth is at its peak.
Lastly, pruning and deadheading flower stems are great ways to promote further flower growth from the cut end. Take care not to crush the stems while cutting the flower stems off. Otherwise, you will end up stopping further growth.
Conclusion
Hibiscus plants have absolutely stunning blooms and as a bonus are not particularly fussy.
Let’s see what we have learnt:
- All hardy hibiscus plants bloom only in certain months – mid-summer to late summer.
- Their flowering only lasts about three to four weeks.
- This plant needs adequate sunlight to develop flower buds and then consequently bloom.
- Constant vigilance is necessary to keep the plant from being overrun by pests and disease.
- Fertilizing is very important for this plant. Especially during spring and summer.
Now that you know more about the flowering habits of the hibiscus you can take the appropriate steps to maximise their beauty.
They are more than worth the trouble and even though they only bloom for a month they will bring you great joy if you look after them properly. Follow the above advice to get the best out of your hibiscus plant.
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