Hibiscus herbaceous: photo, planting and care at home and in the open ground, especially the cultivation and propagation of seeds and cuttings

Grassy hibiscus was bred as a result of selection of North American varieties - red, pink and holly. Despite the fact that grass hibiscus is an exotic plant, care, cultivation and reproduction does not cause difficulties even for beginner growers. In addition, the bush successfully tolerates frosty winters. The upper part of the flower dies each fall, but with the onset of warm weather, the roots again take out many new and strong shoots.

How to care at home?

The grass hibiscus has adapted to cold winters; it can easily survive frosts up to -30 degrees. The unusual structure of the bush saves him from freezing. Nutrients from the ground part enter the root system. The roots are thickened shoots that resemble tubers.

When choosing a place for planting a bush, you should consider:

overall dimensions of an adult plant;
lighting mode;
composition and characteristics of the soil.

In addition, one should not forget about regular watering of the plant, pruning and top dressing.

Temperature

Hibiscus herbaceous belongs to thermophilic plants, it should be grown at a temperature of 20-25 degrees.

Watering

During the period of active growth of the bush, you should take care of regular and plentiful watering. After the flowering period ends, the frequency of watering is reduced. It is necessary to ensure that the water in the soil does not stagnate. Water should be settled, not chlorinated or rainwater.

Important! Each watering should end with loosening the soil.

Shine

Hibiscus is a photophilous plant that perfectly tolerates direct sunlight. The plant needs light to enter the flowering phase, which is impossible when grown in dense shade.

In the first few days after planting, young plants should be shaded.

Pruning

Trimming grassy hibiscus is necessary to maintain decorativeness and get rid of weak, lifeless shoots.

After planting a young plant, branched branches should be shortened to the level of 2-3 buds.
In February, all branched shoots are cut, except for one branch, on which 5-6 buds should remain. The remaining shoots are cut to one kidney.
Once the hibiscus has grown to the required height, you can experiment on the shape of the crown, namely, trim the top and unnecessary greens.
If there are weak and painful branches, they should be removed to make the plant easier to gain strength and grow.

To obtain abundant flowering, it is necessary to carry out special pruning every spring. Shorten growth by one third. Thus, the number of flower buds will increase.

Hibiscus may not grow correctly, one-sided, in this case you need not to prune for some time. Over time, the flower will grow a new crown, it will be possible to remove old, obsolete shoots, and young ones to be shortened by a third, this will give the plant an additional impetus for growth.

Priming

Hibiscus grassy perfectly survives and grows on loam, sod and leafy soil. Hybrid plants do not place high demands on the mineral composition of the soil. When cultivated on depleted soils, it is necessary to take care of regular fertilizer application and compliance with special planting measures.

To obtain a strong and healthy flower, it is necessary to introduce organic matter into the planting pit. Flower shops sell special soil for growing grass hibiscus.
Advantages of the finished substrate:

balance of all nutrients and minerals;
optimal acidity.

If you still want to prepare the soil yourself, you need to carefully consider its composition. Will need to mix:

4 parts of peat;
2 parts of turf, leaf and coniferous land;
1 part of sand;
charcoal;
humus.

Attention! It is worth adding well-rotted spruce or pine needles to the resulting mixture. This will reduce the acidity of the soil.

You should also think about drainage. Before planting on the bottom of the prepared pit, you can lay tree bark and branches. Brick dust may be suitable as drainage.

Top dressing

As fertilizers, you can use:

Organic fertilizers.
- Manure. Stale manure is suitable, and which has already lay down and has hardened.
- Peat tablet.
Mineral fertilizers. Bone meal can be used to replenish phosphorus. Urea is suitable as nitrogen.

Organic and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers should be added in the spring. During the growth period, the plant is fed once a month with nitrogen fertilizers. Hibiscus should be fed in the evening, then it absorbs nutrients faster. Approximately 2 hours before applying fertilizer, the earth should be abundantly watered.

At rest, hibiscus does not need to be fed, from October to March, you can fertilize the soil no more than once.

Transfer

Hibiscus is a herbaceous perennial that can be grown in one place for a long time. However, periodically replanting the bush is beneficial for the plant. Agricultural technology of grassy hibiscus requires periodic transplantation with the aim of:

planting seedlings;
branches of young shoots;
changes in the design of the garden.

Reference! Hibiscus can be transplanted in spring and autumn. Young plants need a transplant annually. Adults should be transplanted once every four years.

A hibiscus transplant boils down to transshipment because it has a very sensitive root system:

The plant must be carefully removed from the pot. If the container is plastic, then to facilitate the process, it is recommended to knock on its sides.
Before transplanting, it is necessary to check the condition of the roots. They must be hard, without rot and pests.
Place drainage at the bottom of the new pot. Pour soil over the drainage.
Dip the plant in a pot and sprinkle with earth. You can compact the soil slightly during the addition process.

Pot selection

Hibiscus herbaceae quickly passes into the flowering stage if grown in a tight pot. It is desirable to plant a hybrid in plastic or clay pots.

Wintering

Prepare for wintering in advance.

From the second half of summer, it is necessary to stop fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers. With the first autumn frosts, hibiscus finishes flowering, begins to prepare for winter.
No need to cut off the ground part of the plant, it must dry on its own. During this period, hibiscus gives the roots reserves of nutrients. At this time, you need to rake a flower and add sand to the ground.
Once the plant dries, its stems must be cut.
With the advent of stable frosts, hibiscus needs to be insulated. To do this, loose vegetable insulation (sawdust, straw, dry leaves) is poured on top. The bump should be covered with non-woven material, on top create a frame of poles. This design is necessary so that in severe frosts it was possible to cover hibiscus.

Care after purchase

Important! After purchase, grassy hibiscus should be transplanted in a new pot with a suitable substrate for 2-3 weeks.

The soil in which the flower was in the store is not suitable for growing plants.

Caring for the crop in the open field and a photo of a properly grown flower

When planting grass hibiscus in open ground, you should consider:

Grass hibiscus should be in sunlight for at least 6 hours. Therefore, the place for its cultivation should be well lit.
Grass hibiscus is afraid of drafts, so you should choose a place for planting such a place where protection from the winds will be created.
The soil at the site of hibiscus should be loose, moisture permeable and have good drainage.

How to properly care for grass hibiscus in open ground, see the following video:

Breeding

Planting a new plant can be carried out using seeds and cuttings.

Seeds

The right choice of seed, the selection of high-quality soil will help to grow a healthy plant.

Seed selection and preparation

Important! Seeds harvested from hybrid varieties may produce unexpected results when grown. They may differ in color, size and shape of leaves and flowers. The reason for this is pollination and fission.

Hibiscus seeds can be bought at the store.
When buying seeds in a store, you need to pay attention to the date of collection of seeds. Otherwise, there is a high probability of deterioration in the germination of grains in the second year after packaging. Therefore, seeds need to be purchased collected this year.
If at home there are already hibiscus, then the seeds can be obtained at home. Hibiscus seeds are in its pods. When ripe, they open. The brown color of the pod indicates its maturation. In order to collect the seeds you need:
1. Place a bag or paper under the pod.
2. Pods must be opened with a knife or hands. Seeds can be of different colors. The reason for this is not their simultaneous maturation.
3. Seeds should be carefully selected. Small, unripe and damaged ones will not be suitable for planting.

Before planting, it is advisable to soak the seed in a solution containing growth stimulants (potassium humate):

On a regular lid for jars you need to pour a little solution of epin, fumar or cyclone. The instructions for the preparations should contain a detailed description of the use of growth stimulants.
The solution should cover the seed in 2/3 of the part.
Soak is necessary one day.

After this, the seeds must be disinfected in a solution of manganese. The solution should be pale pink so as not to destroy the plant. Disinfection is carried out within one minute.

For more information on the preparation of grass hibiscus seeds for planting, see the following video:

Landing

Instruction:

Seed preparation. Seeds must be soaked overnight in epin. In the morning, the solution should be drained and cover the seeds with a plastic bag or film. After 3-5 days, the seeds will germinate.
Planting seeds is recommended to start in January-March. They are planted in a pot filled with a mixture of peat and sand, and covered with a film. The required temperature is 25-26 degrees. Seedlings need to be regularly aired.
As soon as 3 hibiscus leaves appear on grassy hibiscus, it can be fed. The dose of fertilizer should be 4 times less than that indicated on the package. At this time, the plant can be transplanted into the soil.

Cuttings

Propagation by cuttings begins in June.

Instruction:

Cuttings need to be cut with a sharp disinfected knife 10-15 cm long. Each leaf should have 2-3 leaves. The lower cut is performed at an angle of 45 degrees, and the upper cut is perpendicular.
The upper pair of leaves must be cut in half to reduce the evaporation of moisture through the leaves. The bottom pair of leaves is carefully cut.
The cuttings should be planted in plastic glasses with a loose peat substrate. Hibiscus needs to provide a greenhouse by putting on top of the bag.
After rooting, the cuttings must be placed in a cool place. It will be possible to land only next year.

Watch the video with the recommendations of an experienced grower for propagating grass hibiscus by cuttings:

Features of breeding in open ground

Hibiscus should be planted on a site with fertile and loose soil, where the plant will be protected from the winds and the scorching sun. Planting time - spring, over the summer, young bushes take root and get stronger and easily survive the winter.

For planting seedlings, you need to dig a deep landing pit filled with a good layer of drainage - 15 cm, sand and compost - the same thickness. Top with garden soil mixed with sand and peat.
Then plant the seedling so that the root neck is flush with the soil.
After this, it is necessary to water the bush abundantly.

Caring for grass hibiscus does not require serious knowledge and skills in growing plants. Therefore, he was so fond of many gardeners. Having planted it once, you can enjoy the beauty for a long time and forget about the constant troubles and unrest.