Question
Hibiscus bush
Some kind of plant has started growing on one of our hibiscus bushes. It had wrapped all around the bush. I took most of it off. What is this and how do I prevent it growing on the bush? It seems like it would eventually kill the bush.
Thanks for your help.
Joe
AnswerDear Joe, I am not sure of the exact name of this vine, it could be one of several, but they have been known to compete with the existing plant and choke them out. There are basically two methods of getting rid of this. One is the exhausting and annoying task of pulling off all the strings and tendrils and pulling up the vines. I'm sure that has been a slow tedious process. You can speed up the process somewhat by reaching around the roots of the hibiscus and just pulling out the roots of the vine and letting it die back a day which makes it easier to pull out. I think you will like the second method much better. There is a product by Ferti-Lome called Over the Top, which is an herbicide that you can use in existing flower beds. You can spray this around the roots of the hibiscus and it will kill off the vine without bothering the hibiscus. It will kill the soft tissue of the weed, but it doesn't affect the woody stem of the hibiscus. You must take care not to use it around soft stemmed plants such as begonias, but you can spray it in existing beds and save yourself a lot of trouble. I would most spray around the roots of the hibiscus where you notice the vines coming up. Be sure to read all the label directions before you use it, but I think you will really appreciate this product. Let me know if you need further assistance with this. Good luck, Melissa
