Description of herbaceous hibiscus, planting, cultivation and care

Herbaceous (hybrid) hibiscus is easy to grow, and therefore decorates the gardens and summer cottages of many gardeners. Pleasant shades and the luxurious appearance of the plant itself immediately attract the eye and make you think about the heavenly corners of our earth. It looks great against the backdrop of low-growing shrubs, and the variety of colors allows you to choose hibiscus to suit your taste.

Characteristics and description of herbal hibiscus

Grassy garden hibiscus was developed by crossing several varieties of North American origin. Due to this, it is also called hybrid. The plant withstands winter cold and temperature drops even down to -30 ° C, as well as drought in the summer. Thanks to these characteristics, the shrub is especially loved by flower growers in Russia.

In winter, the branches of the bush die off. The powerful and highly branched root system is perfectly preserved underground. In appearance, the roots look like tubers. The height of the shoots reaches 3 meters, which must be taken into account when choosing a place for planting. The leaf shape is oval or round, wide, dark green in color. In general, it is similar to a sunflower leaf.

The flowering period of herbaceous hibiscus occurs from mid-July to late October. The inflorescences sometimes reach 30 cm in diameter. The color range is represented in many shades from white to dark purple. There are also options with a combined color. Breeders have also developed varieties with double and corrugated inflorescences, but they are only suitable for growing in warm climates because they do not tolerate frost well.

How to propagate a flower

There are several ways to propagate hibiscus, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Gardeners choose the most affordable and suitable for their conditions.

Seeds

The disadvantage of this method is that the grown plant may not retain the characteristics of the mother bush. This technique is most often used by breeders to obtain new varieties. Seeds that have been stratified are placed in a damp cloth and left for a week, sprinkling with water as they dry.

When the grains swell, they are laid out in a prepared container with soil mixture, sprinkled and watered with a spray bottle. The distance between the seeds is 0.5 cm. The vessel is covered with glass and placed in a well-lit, warm place. Shoots appear only after 3 weeks. As soon as they form a pair of true leaves, the seedlings are divided into separate cups or pots. Hibiscus will bloom only after 3-4 years.

Autumn cuttings

For this method, you will need to select a good, healthy branch from the top of the hibiscus bush. It is cut at an angle and the lower foliage is torn off. Before planting, the twig is placed in a container of water. Soil is poured into a large pot and watered abundantly. The hibiscus is lowered into the hole made (up to 5 cm), sprinkled with soil and watered again.

A greenhouse is made around the seedling and sent to a well-lit, warm place, protected from direct sunlight. You can check the process of formation of the root system after a month. To do this, lightly pull the cutting at the top. If the root system has already formed, it will hold the branch. Already in the second year after planting on the plot, such a hibiscus will delight you with flowering.

Layering and dividing the bush

Only mature hibiscus bushes that have managed to grow well should be divided. The work is carried out in the spring. The plant is completely dug up, the root is cut into several parts and planted in different places.

Growing herbaceous hibiscus

Growing herbaceous hibiscus in your garden is not difficult. To do this, you need to choose the right place for planting and provide the plant with at least minimal care.

Time and place for landing

Planting work is planned for the end of May or the beginning of June, when warm weather sets in.The planting site should be well lit and protected from wind and drafts. The plant tends to grow quickly, so it will need free space with a radius of 1.5-2 meters.

Hibiscus feels great next to roses. But acidic and calcareous soils are not at all suitable for shrubs. The soil in the selected area must have good drainage, be fertilized and breathable.

Preparation of planting material

You should not choose hibiscus seedlings from foreign catalogs. It is better to give preference to plants from domestic nurseries. They are more adapted to our climatic conditions and get sick less after transplantation. It is preferable to purchase a seedling with bare roots. They must be powerful and well developed. Hibiscus under 2 years of age have not yet undergone complete acclimatization, so they are not worth purchasing.

Open ground planting technology

The hole for planting hibiscus is dug a little wider than the volume of the root system along with a lump of earth. A layer of sand with humus is poured onto the bottom, after which everything is watered abundantly. The seedling is placed in the prepared hole, covered with soil and watered again with water heated to room temperature. Immediately after planting, it is advisable to create partial shade for the plant.

Features of plant care

Hibiscus is unpretentious and undemanding in care, but if you give it due attention, the flower will definitely reward you with lush and long-lasting flowering.

Watering

Hibiscus needs abundant and regular irrigation. This is especially true in the summer. After flowering ends, the amount of watering is immediately reduced. Under no circumstances should water stagnate on the site.For this purpose, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil and monitor its moisture.

Watering hibiscus is carried out with settled water heated in the sun. The shrub does not tolerate chlorinated plants. The plants are sprayed in the morning and evening hours. The frequency of watering depends on weather conditions and the age of the seedling. Young hibiscus need more moisture. In hot and dry weather, irrigation is carried out as the top layer of soil dries. If there is a critical lack of water, the flower will shed its buds and leaves.

Top dressing

In order for hibiscus to form buds more actively, it is fed with organic matter in the spring. Potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are also used. Then, during the growing season, fertilizing containing nitrogen is applied. With the onset of autumn, organic matter is added under the bushes.

Trimming

With the onset of cold weather, hibiscus branches dry out completely. At this time they are cut off at the root. The shrub does not need shaping, but if there is a desire to get a lush and branched flower, then in the spring the top is lightly pinched.

Preparing for winter

Before the onset of persistent cold weather, dried branches are cut off almost at the root, and the soil is watered abundantly. It is advisable to hill up the roots of the bush and mulch the soil around it. The plant is covered with dry fallen leaves or sawdust.

Methods of controlling diseases and pests

Hibiscus often suffers from chlorosis due to the fact that there is not enough iron in the water for irrigation and there is an excess of chlorine. The disease manifests itself in yellowing and falling leaves. For the purpose of prevention, the shrub is watered exclusively with settled water heated by the sun's rays. If the plant is already sick, then it should be sprayed with preparations containing chelated iron.

Herbaceous hibiscus is attacked by pests such as:

• whitefly;
• aphid;
• spider mite

You can combat such pests by treating the bushes with insecticidal preparations:

• "Aktara";
• "Intavir";
• "Kinmiks."

Lavender and marigolds planted nearby will help protect the bush from aphids. They can also be saved from this pest by spraying with soap or garlic solution. Glue traps and dandelion infusion save the flower from whiteflies.