QuestionMy husband was given a Hibiscus tree for his birthday in late June. The tree was beautiful all summer and fall. Unfortunately due to our lack on knowledge of this plant we left it outside too long and on an especially cold night. It is now indoors but the tree has lost almost all its leaves. Is there any hope this tree will survive? How can I tell if it is truly dead or if we have any hope of reviving it? If we can revive it what should we do?
Thanks so much for your help on this.
AnswerKeri,
If it still has some green leaves it will probably survive. If it looses all of it's leaves and has no sprouts in a month it is dead. For the time being it needs pruned back. Get out your heavy duty garden pruners and any branches that do not have any leaves cut them back just past a leaf joint by half or even two thirds. Use a knife and lightly scrape off the bark on the pieces that you cut off. If there is green tissue below the bark the tree is still alive. If the branches are shriveled and you find no green tissue the plant may be totally dead. For furture refernce in the future any house plants should be brought in when the night temperatures start dropping below 50 degrees farenheit. That usually happens in very early September or sometimes even in late August.
When you have pruned it back you should see new sprouts in 2-3 weeks. Then you can prune back the branches that you left earlier because they had leaves on them. As long as it is alive and you have pruned it all back it needs to be in the sunniest location in your home so it get sun most of the day. Keep the drapes open. Fertilize it once a month with a water soluable fertilizer such as Miracle Grow or Peter's Professional and it is better if you grt the blooming plants fertilizer. Follow the instructions on the box. In the spring when the night temperatures stay above 50 degrees you can put it back outside in late May or June. I live in IN so I am familiar with your climate. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck!
Darlene
