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How to Get Maximum Flowering in Hibiscus

Hibiscus, Blog, Flowering plants, Outdoor plants, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Every flowering plant naturally tends to bloom, and if a hibiscus fails to do so for 2-3 months, it becomes a cause for concern. Typically, an underlying problem or issue is responsible for the lack of blooming. Therefore, the primary focus should be on identifying the problem before applying any treatment to the plant. Always refer to the checklist below to ensure all the plant’s requirements are being met.

hibiscus flower

 

How to Get Maximum Flowering in Hibiscus

Sunlight requirement

Hibiscus, renowned for its large flowers, necessitates a minimum of 5-6 hours of direct sunlight to promote blooming on all pruned branches.

  • This plant requires a substantial amount of energy to bloom, and if it receives only 1-2 hours of sunlight exposure, successful blooming may be hindered.

Soil composition

Soil mixture

The primary requirement for the growth of any plant is suitable soil.

  • It is crucial that the soil is not clayey, and any signs of algae formation should be addressed by tilling it.
  • To enhance the soil’s nutritional content and promote a looser texture, incorporate vermicompost.
  • For strong root development, the soil should possess an effective drainage system and not be compacted.

Water requirement

overwatering
overwatering

Excessive watering in hibiscus can result in root rot and hinder flower blooming.

  • If overwatered, buds may form but will ultimately drop without blossoming.
  • Conversely, insufficient watering can lead to the plant’s demise, with no chance of blooming and eventual withering.

“It is crucial to provide a balanced water supply for hibiscus—water when the soil is dry and ensure watering until excess water drains out from the bottom of the pot.”

Pest attack in Hibiscus plant

Mealybugs on plant leaves

Examine the plant for potential insect infestations, as hibiscus plants are susceptible to attacks from pests such as aphids, mealybugs, and other insects.

  • These dense plants may conceal pests, making early detection challenging.

Use of Neem Oil

neem oil spray

Inspect for leaf miners and other pests, and be vigilant for potential soil issues such as fungal infections or diseases. Safeguard against these pest attacks by thoroughly spraying the entire plant with neem oil.

  • To address soil diseases, if present, create a mixture of neem oil and a small amount of cinnamon powder in water and administer it to the soil.

Pot Size for Hibiscus plant

clay pots

While hibiscus typically thrives in a 10-12 inch pot, if, despite addressing the previously mentioned considerations, the plant fails to bloom, it is crucial to thoroughly inspect the pot for potential root binding.

  • Although hibiscus tends to appreciate being slightly root-bound, excessive binding can induce stress.
  • To assess this, carefully remove the plant from its pot, examine the roots, and if necessary, engage in root pruning.
  • Transplant the hibiscus into a larger pot to provide ample space, fostering optimal growth conditions. It will start flourishing again.

hibiscus flower

Soft pruning of Hibiscus plant

pruning

Generally, it is advised to conduct hard pruning on hibiscus in February, while soft pruning can be carried out year-round, excluding the harsh winter months.

If your hibiscus is not producing blooms, consider soft pruning and follow up with a diluted mustard cake liquid fertilizer to replenish soil nutrients to promote the development of new branches.

“It is important to refrain from giving the mustard cake liquid fertilizer during extremely hot summers.”

  • The diluted form of mustard cake liquid fertilizer is recommended due to its potency.
  • When pruning is performed, hormones are released at the pruned tips, stimulating the growth of fresh branches.

Lack of Nutrients

If, despite pruning, your hibiscus is not blooming as expected, it likely indicates a nutrient deficiency. To address this, apply Epsom salt to the entire plant.

Banana peel fertilizer:

 

After 10 days of the Epsom salt treatment, nourish the plant with a liquid fertilizer made from banana peel fertilizer. This particular fertilizer enhances the flowering process, and you will likely notice the emergence of new buds shortly after application.

Read article on:

How to make Banana peel fertilizer

Onion peel liquid fertilizer:

Following the banana peel fertilizer, wait for another 10 days and then give onion peel liquid fertilizer to the plant.

  • This fertilizer also promotes flower blooming, and you can expect to see new buds appearing within a few days.

Note:

  • In instances where the leaves of the blooming plant turn yellow, it is an indication of a need for more nutrients.

Cow dung liquid fertilizer

cow dung decompose

  • After 10 days of the onion peel fertilizer, provide the plant with a liquid fertilizer made from cow dung.

Read article on:

How to make Cow dung fertilizer

Note:

  • By adhering to this schedule of applying different liquid fertilizers every 10 days, you can stimulate consistent blooming in your hibiscus.

Increase the dosage of fertilizer after thoroughly inspecting all the concerns mentioned above. To cure the main problem is necessary to promote the blooming in plants rather than applying random theories of experiments.

As living entities, plants require a well-balanced diet consisting of sunlight, water, air, and essential nutrients. It is crucial to meticulously monitor and fulfill each of these requirements to ensure the effective growth and flourishing of the plant.

Once the plant is blooming at the anticipated rate, reduce the fertilizer dosage, as an excessive amount may adversely affect the plant. It is advisable to adhere to the hierarchical checklist mentioned earlier before administering any remedies to the plant.

hibiscus flower

Happy Gardening!!

hibiscus flower

Best Fertilizer for Hibiscus Flowering

Blog, Flowering plants, Hibiscus, Outdoor plants, Plant care, , , ,

Many gardeners often encounter the issue of their healthy hibiscus plant not flowering despite being in good condition. 

As a result, they unknowingly treat the plant with incorrect fertilizers, leading to damage.

 

For a hibiscus that is healthy but not blooming, several factors may be involved. Choosing the right fertilizer can make a significant difference and promote flowering.

Best Fertilizer for Hibiscus Flowering

 

So, why is it happening, and what are the reasons behind this? Let’s review a list of concerns your hibiscus may be experiencing if it’s not flowering:

 

1. Buds Not Blooming:

Hibiscus buds

  • Lack of phosphorus in the soil can hinder flower production, so it’s important to look for a fertilizer that contains phosphorus to promote blooming.

 

2. Plant Healthy But Not Flowering:

hibiscus plant

 

    • Sometimes, hibiscus plants focus on growing foliage rather than flowers.
    • Opt for a balanced fertilizer with equal N-P-K ratios to encourage overall plant health and flower production.

 

3. Yellow Leaves:

 

hibiscus yellow leaves

    • Yellowing leaves can indicate a lack of nitrogen.
    • Choose a fertilizer with higher nitrogen to address nitrogen deficiency and promote greener foliage.

 

4. Buds Not Mature:

 

    • Hibiscus buds may fail to mature if they are not getting enough potassium.
    • Look for a fertilizer with a higher potassium to support bud development and maturation.

 

5. Buds Falling:

hibiscus bud falling

    • Poor root development or stress can cause buds to drop prematurely.
    • Consider a fertilizer with micronutrients like magnesium and iron to improve root health and resilience.

Why Hibiscus Plant is not Flowering

 

The main reason for hibiscus plants not flowering is often due to a lack of nutrients. This can be attributed to two factors:

1. Inefficient Nutrient Distribution to Various Plant Parts

When fertilizer is provided to the roots, it is not efficiently distributed to other parts of the plant, such as the stem, leaves, branches, or buds.

 

2. Limited Distribution of Starch-Based Food to Plant Roots

 

Additionally, while plants produce their food in the form of starch in their leaves, it is possible for the food to remain in the leaves and not be distributed to other parts of the roots of the plant.

 

Note: Starch plays a crucial role in providing immunity to plants, especially for their roots.

The above two factors indicate that the “transportation system” of the plant is not working well which can be attributed to a lack of potassium.

 

Luckily, potassium is highly available in bananas and banana peels and can be used to improve the transportation system of the plant.

  • If in this condition, the plant is fed by banana peel fertilizer, then the problem would be resolved.
bananas rich source of potassium

3. Nutrient-Rich Composition of Banana Peels

 

Not only potassium but banana peels contain many other nutrients like calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and phosphorus, all of which are essential for plant growth and development.

4. Micronutrient Content in Banana Peels

 

Additionally, banana peels contain other micronutrients, such as zinc, copper, and iron, which are important for plant health.

Must read: How to make Banana Peel Fertilizer At Home

When to give Banana peel fertilizer?

 

1. Do not give banana peel fertilizer to small plants

 

Avoid using banana peel fertilizer on plants that are still small or in the growing stage because they require equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) at that time.

In banana manure, the quantity of nitrogen is very low. It will lead to nutrient imbalance and plants might die due to a deficiency of nitrogen.

2. Apply banana peel fertilizer during the flowering or fruiting stage

 

Always, give banana manure, when the plant is at the stage of flowering or fruiting.

 

3. Balancing Banana Peel fertilizer with Other fertilizers

 

While banana peel fertilizer can be used on all plants, it is important to rotate it with other fertilizers to maintain nutrient balance.

  • After applying banana peel fertilizer, wait for at least 10 to 15 days before using other fertilizers such as cow dung liquid fertilizer or any other.

 

4. Onion peel liquid fertilizer

 

Following the banana peel fertilizer, wait for another 10 to 15 days and then give onion peel liquid fertilizer to the plant.

  • This fertilizer also promotes flower blooming, and you can expect to see new buds appearing within a few days.

Note:

  • In instances where the leaves of the blooming plant turn yellow, it is an indication of a need for more nutrients.

5. Cow dung liquid fertilizer

 

cow dung decompose

  • After 10 days of the onion peel fertilizer, provide the plant with a liquid fertilizer made from cow dung.

By adhering to this schedule of applying different liquid fertilizers every 10 days, you can stimulate consistent blooming in your hibiscus.

Also read: How to Get Maximum Flowering in Hibiscus

Plants need sunlight, water, air, and nutrients for healthy growth. Monitor and meet these needs carefully. When blooming, reduce fertilizer to avoid overfeeding. Follow the checklist before applying remedies.