Question
I purchased a hibiscus plant about 13 yrs. ago. I have transplanted it about 5 times as the plant got bigger. It is now about 5 foot tall. As it got bigger I have braded it. Its never been outside. I have it in a east facing slider door. I live in Spokane Washington. I have gotin about 10 blooms in its life time. Is there a fertilizer I can use for it? Should I put it outside or will it go into shock?? What can I do to make more blooms?

Answer
Stef,


Put it outside immediately. This plant is a sun lover. Put it in a location where it will get full sun all day long. It will not sunburn. These plants are from the Carribean Islands and need the sun to produce those beaqutiful blooms. Mine goes out as soon as it is above 60 degrees and stays out unless the night temps are going to drop below 45 degrees. It also wouldn't hurt to give it a dose of fertilizer such as Miracle Grow and sprinkle a half cup of epsom salts on top of the soil before you water it next time. Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) helps plants produce more blooms. I have not let mine get that big.  In the fall when I take it in I set it in front of a south facing window in my living room and enjoy the fowers that the buds were formed outside.  When I run out of flowers I cut the branches back by at least half or a little more. Then it will get bushier over the winter and have more branches to produce more flowers next summer.  Sunlight is the key to flowers. You are doing an excellent job to have taken such good care of it for 13 years. Good luck.

                                   Darlene