Question
Thanks for answering my Hibiscus problem. The tree is an Althea Hibiscus tree planted early in the Spring. It is between 5 and 6 feet tall. It is planted in Montgomery, Alabama. It was doing fine even during our drought. I watered it lightly every day and fertilized with Miracle grow. It had lots of buds but none of them ever bloomed. The drooping started to occur about 2 week ago. The branches started to arc in a downward motion instead of shooting straight up. I am not sure whether it is the weight of the buds causing this or what. The tree leaves are green and there is no sign of bugs. I really would like to save this tree as it it at the main entrance of the house and could be very pretty. Thanks for your help. John

Answer
It sounds to me like this plant may be wilting -- are the branches the only 'droopers' or are the leaves 'drooping' as well?

Wilting can be caused by lack of water of course, but it is also caused by too much water, compacted soil, or damage to the roots.

Two weeks without turnaround is a long time and it does sound like you will have to take this bull by the horns to fix it, or else...

If you are watering it daily, stop.  Let the plant dry out and let some air get down into the roots.

If it is growing outdoors in a Lawn, and it seemed to be doing well through the Summer, perhaps the Lawn was treated with something recently?  Please advise.

Cold water can shock a plant and wreck a root system almost instantly.  Use room temperature or slightly warmer water, not ice water.  If it's the kind you can drink, it may be too cold.

Overwatering is often a major cause of all kinds of problems with plants.  My guess is you are trying to hard to keep this plant happy -- but I would like to get more fedback from you as far as the schedule it is on, if it is planted right in a lawn or in a pot outside, etc.  Conceivably the fertilizer was too strong -- this will burn roots; how closely did you follow the directions on the container and do you remember what that dose was when you fed this plant?  Overfertilizing is another very common slip that people often make -- just look at these columns all summer long and you'll see what I mean.

How much light are you giving your Hibiscus?  This plant needs a TON of Sun to do well, although the budding would indicate it is getting plenty of light.  Please confirm.  Full Sun, yes?

Hibiscus leaves are susceptible to Grey Mold toward the end of the Summer, as the nights cool but air is still humid.  The Fungus enters buds and moves up and down the stem.  Buds failing to open are one symptom.  But they decay while still on the stem, rather than falling off. Sound at all like your plant?

Sometimes you can see the Gray Mold, sometimes not.

Please let me know if any of these sound familiar, and we'll discuss your options.  I agree, it would be nice to save this plant, it's a good size, in the perfect location.