AN EASY WAY TO GROW HIBISCUS ( HIBISCUS ROSA-SINENSIS )

Surely you remember when we did the article about the rose of Syria , the national flower of South Korea. Today is the turn of a first cousin, the rose of China. It is known as hibiscus or Cardinals and it is a very showy plant. We are going to tell you the fundamental parts that we must know about its cultivation, to take it to its maximum splendor.

One thing we have learned from our side is that it is the national flower of Malaysia . However, it is also the city of Barranquilla, Colombia, hence its peculiar name.

This plant is native to the Asian continent and belongs to the Malvaceae family. It presents large flowers with a variety of colors (white, pink, reddish, yellow, etc.) that curiously lack odor. 

Two things mainly define the cultivation of hibiscus or China rose, irrigation and fertilization . It prefers the typical tropical climates of its origin (with continuous flowering throughout the year), but it has also gradually adapted to continental climates. Let’s look at it carefully.

THE CLIMATE IN THE CULTIVATION OF THE HIBISCUS OR ROSE OF CHINA

Even if you don’t live in a tropical climate with consistently high temperatures, you need at least a sunny climate, away from frost or cold winds. If you are not able to provide such a climate of warm temperatures, all is not lost.

You can grow it as a houseplant , providing it with enough lighting and humidity.

Cold winters are very bad for him. We are talking about a plant used to winter temperatures of 14-15 ºC (degree below, degree above). Any frost or low temperature will cause cold damage that will regrow over time.

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Given its condition as a tropical plant, it requires fertile soil with good humidity .

Although later we will comment on the characteristics of the subscriber, we must ensure that our hibiscus grows in a soil with a good capacity for organic matter, with humidity and with good drainage.

This triple combo of drainage, organic matter and moisture conservation is closely linked to soil fertility.

It can be interesting, especially in hot environments, to have a padding of wood shavings , organic matter or circular stones around the hibiscus trunk.

THE IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATION AND FERTILIZER

Hibiscus is a plant that constantly demands good humidity conditions . Especially in summer, when the temperature rises. Of course, we should never go overboard and flood the substrate. In short, you have to be generous with watering, especially when temperatures are high.

To put a figure, we will water between 2 and 3 days a week in hot periods (spring and summer) and once a week when cold. A 4 L / h dripper will suffice.

Speaking of the subscriber, it  also requests that the soil where it grows has good levels of organic matter.

To maintain a fertile soil as required by the hibiscus, you must periodically add organic matter or complete fertilizers, being generous especially from its budding.

Just in the time of greatest growth of the hibiscus, in the spring and summer months, we can provide, in addition to the corresponding organic matter, a slow-release granular fertilizer.

An example of what it could be is a NPK 10-5-20 or similar, containing some magnesium and micronutrients to prevent iron chlororis.

Regarding the dose, it is applied between 40 and 60 grams per foot, repeating the operation after a month or month and a half.

CAN HIBISCUS BE MULTIPLIED?

In spring or early summer you can practice a cutting  on its stems. For this we need the cutting to be in an area with good humidity and temperature. We can use a small greenhouse for this or grow it in a pot inside our house.

In addition, we can also get new varieties of hibiscus through its seeds . They are left to dry for a few weeks (2 at the most) and a small scarification is made that consists of making a small opening in the most rounded part of the seed with a cutter or scalpel.

STEPS TO MULTIPLY IT BY CUTTINGS

As an important part in the beginning, we need to look for a good stem of a healthy hibiscus less than 1 cm in diameter, with a length of between 10 and 14 cm. We will keep 2 or 3 final sheets and we will eliminate the rest, if there are any.

One of the best times to cut the hibiscus plant is when there is more sap movement, which will be in spring.

On a pot or container, we will choose a substrate that has coconut fiber to favor the conservation of humidity. We will place the cutting by introducing it, at least, 5 cm deep.

A constant light humidity is ideal to stimulate the emergence of new roots and absorbent hairs. An excess of water can rot the cutting and the operation will be ruined.

In a protected environment, such as indoors, a small watering every 3 or 4 days will be enough to conserve moisture.

A lot of patience and help yourself with rooting stimulants (rhizocalin, auxins, etc.) from the first roots.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF CHINESE ROSE

Although it is a plant that offers ornamental benefits to grow in the garden, it also gives us the range of being able to take advantage of its medicinal properties.

Chinese rose is often used to relieve certain symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine and Siddha medicine (traditional Indian medicine).

We are going to know some of the positive effects of the Chinese flower or hibiscus.

Urinary diseases Usually 8 to 10 flowers are used for every liter and a half of water. It is boiled and left to rest, being able to take up to 3 cups a day. In addition, it prevents fluid retention as it offers diuretic properties.

Cough reduction. The essential oils contained in Chinese rose offer an effective reliever to control acute coughs in times of illness.

Decongestant. Hibiscus tea is effective as a relief after heavy meals, improving digestion and reducing flatulence.

Dermatological properties. The extract of China rose leaves, crushed with a mortar and applied to the face or skin, helps to reduce pores on the face and improves skin hydration. Its application is also recommended in the case of eczema or allergy conditions.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF HIBISCUS OR CHINA ROSE

All these previously mentioned properties are due to the mixture and concentration of different components. Among them are anthocyanins and flavonoids, alkaloids, cyanides, riboflavin, thiamines, vitamins, beta-caronets, quercetins, citric acid (vitamin C) and other essential oils.

These compounds have been studied in different investigations and presented in reputable medical trials and studies, advising their medicinal use in addition to current medicines.

Among them, there is a large number of investigations where they mention the contraceptive power of the leaves and flowers of the Chinese rose.

It is used as a temporary contraceptive, which stops working the moment we stop taking it, like other hormonal-type contraceptive pills.

Therefore, it is vital not to consume hibiscus if we are seeking pregnancy or are in the process. When in doubt, it is always important to consult a medical specialist.

PRUNING THE CHINA ROSE

Being a shrub, the hibiscus is susceptible to some pruning. Many times it is available as an ornamental to cover fences and offer an obstacle to the vision of neighbors and others in houses and chalets, since it tends to produce many leaves  and dresses the edges and corners of the gardens a lot.

After the summer, when autumn begins, you can prune branches that are too long, crossed or that invade areas that do not interest you, such as those of the neighbor or the space of other plants.

In the case that you live in a cold climate, you can advance the pruning a little more, avoiding that future frosts can affect the cuts, still fresh.

It is advisable to  eliminate the serpents  that are born from the ground, since they limit the rest of the plant energetically and increase water consumption.

If the crown is unbalanced and there are branches longer than others, it may also be interesting to equalize the height.

In any case, do not be afraid to cut the stems and tips at least 15-20 cm, since the Chinese rose is a fairly vigorous shrub and will sprout without problems for the next season.

New shoots that appear are more likely to produce flower buds. Therefore, regular pruning in each season favors future vegetative growth and the emergence of a greater number of flowers.

COMMON PESTS AND DISEASES

Being a shrub with great production of leaves and flowers that attract large numbers of insects, it is likely that we have to be prepared to act in spring and summer.

Aphids are common   on the underside of leaves and young shoots, mealybugs  that stick to the stem and absorb the sap, weakening the plant,  white fly , if you live in a common and susceptible area where this pest appears,  spider mites,  when temperatures rise in summer and humidity is low, etc.

In the case of  diseases,  neck rot usually appears  , if we usually water in abundance and quantity and the soil retains a lot of moisture, different fungi that can be observed on the leaves such as  alternaria, gray rot, rust,  etc.

Pruning is interesting to increase aeration, since many of these pests and diseases need specific environmental conditions to reproduce. In either case, aeration helps reduce its advance.

TROUBLESHOOTING ON HIBISCUS OR CHINA ROSE

YELLOW LEAVES ON HIBISCUS

Yellow leaves are a symptom that photosynthesis is not being done properly, either due to lack of light, water or some essential nutrient that is part of this process.

Therefore, you have to check the following tips:

• Placing in sunny place.
• Good substrate hydration.
• Supply of fertilizers rich in nitrogen (its deficiency shows a generalized yellowing), magnesium (yellowing occurs in the old leaves, located below) or iron (iron chlorosis causes the young leaves to turn yellow but the nerves remain green initially).

FLOWER FALL

It must be counted that the hibiscus produces many flowers but very ephemeral . Most do not take more than 1 day to open and wilt, falling to the ground.

In the event that no flower has opened in the flowering season, you must see the following tips:

• Adverse weather conditions. Temperatures that are not between 14ºC and 21ºC.
• Excessive water intake.
• Lack of nutrients like phosphorus or potassium. Normally, if this is the problem, there would be a lack of these elements in the plant, with a yellowish appearance, chlorotic edges, etc.

AND FINALLY … A SHORT SUMMARY

• Climate: warm climate without risk of frost or cold winds
• Soil: good content of organic matter and good drainage.
• Irrigation:  frequent and abundant irrigations without getting to flood
• Subscriber:  frequent subscriber from sprouting
• Multiplication: by cuttings or seeds.