Question
Dear Mr. Hern:

I have two althea hibiscus plants which are planted in the ground. I am in the process of moving and since these plants are not in containers I cannot take them with me as they are part of the house sale. I have heard that you can cut branches off of these plants and root them. I have tried to do this before but haven't had any luck which may be due to my not knowing exactly how these plants can be rooted,if at all. If there is a way to do this would you please let me know how? I really appreciate your help.

Thank you,
Sandi Jones

Answer
you'll need to get to a local garden center/nursery to buy some pots, potting soil. and rooting hormone. take the cuttings off the ends 8" long. remove the bottom 2-3 leaves. poke a hole w/a pencil into the soil in the new pot. dip the cutting in the rooting hormone powder. place the cutting into the hole. water it in real good. place 2 sticks 10-12" long in the soil on opposite sides. put plastic over the sticks and enclose the cutting w/the plastic to make a greenhouse. put it in a morning sun window. it should root in 2-4 weeks. treat it like a houseplant till late spring. plant it into the ground. good luck. you can always buy a new rose of sharon hibiscus later.