Question
Hi Darlene,
I have a large potted 6' braided trunk hibiscus that I moved indoors last fall. I now notice that the leaves are gone from the center of the plant but there is new growth at the ends including blooms all year long.  However, there appears to be a sticky substance near the blooms as well as a little "pearl" of clear sap on the underside of the leaves.  I have never pruned this tree.  I would greatly appreciate any advice  as to how to proceed.

Answer
Dee,

You must have very large windows where your hibiscus gets lots of sun. Usually when you move them indoors they do not get enough sun and they eventually stop blooming. When they stop blooming (for me that is usually in January) is when you prune them. Since that is not happening for you and yours may be beginning to suffer a bit of stress or they may have a mild case of aphid or scale. In either case, now is a great time to prune. It is quite simple, take each branch and cut it back about 1/3 to 1/2 of it's length. Use sharp pruning shears and make your cuts at an angle like you would the bottom of a rose. You do not have to seal the cuts they will seal themselves. Make sure that you stand back and check the shape after every few cuts so you keep the topiary tree shape close to what it was when you got it. Remove the cuttings from your home immediately so if there are any insects they are out of there.

After you are done pruning put it back in a sunny location. Give it a dose of blooming plant fertilizer and inspect it closely for signs of insects such as scale or aphids. If you see any signs put some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spray the insects daily for a week then watch it closely for further signs annd spray them immediately. Good luck.

Darlene