How To Prune Hibiscus
Preparing your hibiscus to produce an abundance of flowers requires some know-how. As the summer months approach what you want is to get a jump start so when summer finally reaches your hibiscus will become fluffy or fuller (leaves) with an abundance of flower blooms. The ideal time to prune hibiscus is during the spring months or when the weather starts to warm up.
There are said to be some 31-35 types of hibiscus that give you many choices, hibiscus can be container grown, grown as a shrub, as a standard plant, in mass planting, or can be grown as a hedge. These garden beauties will attract hummingbirds along with pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
In our discussion, we will be taking a look at how to prune hibiscus in the spring to keep your plant growing healthy and vibrant as this garden beauty goes to work for you.
Steps to Prune Hibiscus
1. Before starting the pruning procedure ensure that your hand pruner is sterilized especially if the pruner was used previously on disease plants. To mix the disinfected solution add about 2 tbsp of bleach to 2-3 cups of water, now stir this solution thoroughly to blend. Next, soak part of a clean piece of cloth in the solution.
Remove the cloth from the cleaning solution and with the part that was soaked begin to move in a very slow but gentle way to clean the pruner’s blade. Add a little pressure as you wipe the blade, however, be very careful not to cut your hand.
2. In early spring before the new growth appears cut or prune each individual stem back to about one-third of the plant’s height. This will encourage your hibiscus to put for new growth.
3. Each cut should be made above a leaf node on each individual stem, the node is an area on the stem that resembles a bump or looks like a small part of the stem is swollen. New growth emerges from the node, so when pruning do not cut into the node which can cause damage.
4. When pruning make the cut 1/4 inch above the node at a 45-degree downward angle. Do this for each stem until you are done.
Why Prune Hibiscus
- Pruning hibiscus will produce a fuller (more leaves) plant
- Hibiscus will produce a greater yield of flower bloom
- The removal of sickly leaves and stems
- The removal of dead leaves and stems
- Pruning will help your hibiscus to keep its natural form
- It will help to control the hibiscus height and spread
- Pruning will encourage more air circulation promoting hibiscus health
- To remove crossing wood that would rub and damage new growth
- Pruning helps to control overgrowth
- Prune hibiscus to remove weak branches
- Leggy branches can also be moved with pruning procedures
Additional information on hibiscus pruning
Pruning hibiscus usually depends on where you are located, the ideal time to prune hibiscus is what we discussed early which is during spring once the weather warms up. Hibiscus however can be lightly pruned in late summer or early fall, during late fall or winter suspend all pruning. Pruning too late in the season will cause hibiscus to but out fewer branches as well as fewer flower blooms, new growth can also be winter-killed during the freezing months.
The final word on pruning hibiscus in spring
Pruning hibiscus is that simple but is so effective for your plant’s overall health as well as survival, over the years I have worked with the hibiscus plant on many garden projects and have seen firsthand how they can bring that much-needed change and flavor into a garden setting. The hibiscus plant is a tropical beauty that will give you a taste of the tropics with their presence as you watch this plant go to work for you with its many colorful flower blooms.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.