Question
QUESTION: My potted Hybiscus plant has just begun to turn its leaves yellow.  The surface is very dry and so I've watered it on top, as well as from below.  Its been blossoming in an East window very nicely, since Mid-February...but now, yellow leaves...what am I doing wrong?  thanks for you help
ANSWER: Hi Gloria,
Thanx for your question.  Your hibiscus is a tropical, house plant?  If it is, hibiscus can often go semi-dormant in the peak of winter and stay that way until the sun is more intense in May and June and on into summer.  When a plant is semi-dormant, watering too much only makes it worse.  Semi-dormant plants may continue to bloom.  Do you ever place this plant outdoors?  Before I give you a final answer, tell me what the conditions are for the plant.  Is it indoors?  Do you live in a temperate or tropical area?  Let me know.
thx,
Tom

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QUESTION: Tom,  I bought the plant last summer and kept it in a pot on a sun porch, where it did well. Brought it in the house for winter, and placed it in an East window, watered it occasionally and it remained healthy looking and continued to grow.  I was just watering lightly in the tray below the pot.  I didn't know about "semi-dormant time"  In February a flower bud appeared - I was thrilled, so I kept the watering into the dish below the pot. We had about 4 lovely red blossoms through the months of Feb/March and the plant has grown several inches during the winter.  All at once this week, I noticed some yellow leaves and wondered why: too much water?  I do want to put it outside when it warms up more (we're in Mid-Michigan) but I would like to keep it in a pot.  Can I transplant it into a larger pot?  the one its in is only about 4"...thanks for you help.
Gloria

Answer
Hi Gloria,
Thanx for your question.  Yes, you may plant your hibiscus in a larger pot.  Don't worry about the yellow leaves.  This will stop soon.  Water the plant each time the top of the soil dries out.  Be careful not have the roots constantly exposed to water as this can cause some root-rot and will result in yellowing leaves.  When you move the pot outdoors feed it with a balanced fertilizer 12-12-12 and follow the directions on the box.  I hope this helps.
Tom