How to grow garden hibiscus in the middle zone. Growing indoor hibiscus flower at home Hibiscus care

Flower hibiscus (lat. Hibiscus) belongs to a large genus of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants of the Malvaceae family, numbering about 300 species that grow naturally in the tropics and subtropics of the New and Old Worlds. In temperate climates, only Syrian hibiscus and trifoliate hibiscus, as well as a new species obtained in the 40-50s of the twentieth century based on the North American swamp, bright red and armed hibiscus, hybrid hibiscus, or garden hibiscus, can grow in open ground. All forms of hybrid hibiscus are frost-resistant. Everyone's favorite Chinese rose, or Chinese hibiscus, in our latitudes is grown only as a houseplant or greenhouse plant, although the hibiscus rose loves to spend summer holidays in the fresh air.

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Planting and caring for hibiscus (in brief)

• Landing: in spring, in the second half of May.
• Bloom: from late June to early October.
• Lighting: bright sunlight.
• The soil: light, fertile, moisture-permeable - what would suit roses.
• Watering: regular, especially in hot weather, but only after the soil has dried. During drought, watering is carried out daily.
• Trimming: sanitary, rejuvenating, and formative pruning is carried out in early spring, before sap flow begins.
• Feeding: from June to September - twice a month with mineral fertilizers with a high content of phosphorus and nitrogen; in the fall, potassium fertilizers are added to the complex.
• Reproduction: seeds, cuttings, layering and grafting.
• Pests: thrips, spider mites, aphids, whiteflies.
• Diseases: chlorosis, root rot.

Read more about growing hibiscus below.

Garden hibiscus - description

The garden hibiscus plant can be a tree, shrub or herbaceous plant. For example, tree hibiscus in the garden is a Syrian rose, which is grown both as a standard tree and as a shrub up to one and a half meters high. And herbaceous hibiscus is represented by varieties of hybrid hibiscus. Herbaceous forms of the plant can be annuals, although gardeners are much more attracted to perennial hibiscus.

Despite the differences in form, All hibiscus have common features. Hibiscus leaves are more or less notched and petiolate. Hibiscus flowers are large, bright, simple or double, in a wide range of colors - white, yellow, crimson, dark red, lilac, blue, violet and purple. There are varieties with a border around the edge of the petals or with an eye of a contrasting color. Hibiscus fruits are five-leaf seed capsules. Today, except garden species, there are about five hundred forms and varieties of hibiscus.

Planting hibiscus

When to plant hibiscus

Before planting, think carefully about where your hibiscus will grow, because the choice of location determines how long the plant will decorate your garden - with the right site and good care. Hibiscus grows in one place for up to 20 years! Hibiscus seedlings are planted in the spring, when the threat of night frosts has passed, so that they can take root and grow stronger over the summer. The ideal place for hibiscus would be a bright, wind-protected place with light, fertile, moisture-permeable soil - the kind in which roses are good to plant. You can even place hibiscus among roses, they will get along perfectly.

How to plant hibiscus

If you are planting a tree hibiscus, the hole for it should be twice as large as the root system of the seedling. A drainage layer of broken brick about 15 cm thick is placed at the bottom of the pit, then a ten-centimeter layer of sand, a layer of compost 15 cm thick and again a layer of sand of the same thickness. To fill the hole, mix the top layer of soil removed when preparing the hole with peat and sand in a ratio of 2:4:1, carefully place the root ball in the hole so that the root collar is barely underground, and fill the hole with the prepared mixture. Then hill up the seedling so that a large recess for moisture is formed around it, water the plant in this circle, and when the water is absorbed, pour soil into the recess, leveling the surface of the area. If you need to plant hibiscus in the fall, be sure to mulch the tree trunk and tie the plant with spruce branches.

Hibiscus care

Growing Hibiscus

Caring for garden hibiscus is very simple and not labor-intensive. As soon as young green shoots appear on the hibiscus, remove old dried stems from it. Regularly loosen the soil around the hibiscus, remove weeds and make sure that the hibiscus bush does not thicken too much. During the active growing season, from June to September, hibiscus needs fertilizing with a high content of phosphorus and nitrogen twice a month, and in the fall, when preparing the plant for winter, potassium fertilizers are added in addition to phosphorus. Unfortunately, A hibiscus flower only lives for a day, but with good care, the plant blooms so profusely that instead of one flower another immediately opens, so do not forget to remove faded flowers in time.

Watering hibiscus

Caring for hibiscus includes regular watering of the plant, especially in hot weather, but you should water the ground under the hibiscus only after it has completely dried. If the dry period drags on, be prepared to water your hibiscus daily.

In the photo: Hibiscus blooming in the garden

Hibiscus pruning

Hibiscus pruning is carried out for sanitary purposes, as well as to give the tree or bush a certain shape. Many people prefer to grow hibiscus in tree form, but this will require time and patience. In a young, newly planted plant, the branches are shortened to the level of two or three buds, without cutting only the well-developed trunk. In subsequent years, at the end of winter, trim the side shoots to one or two buds, and the stem to 5-6 buds. When the stem reaches the required height, form the crown of a tree from strong shoots, shortening them by several buds. Remove the lower shoots and lightly trim the top of the trunk.

How to prune hibiscus to maintain plant hygiene? Sanitary pruning is carried out in early spring, before sap flow begins. Old, diseased, underdeveloped shoots and shoots growing inside the bush are completely removed, and last year's growth is shortened by a third, which greatly stimulates the formation of new flower buds.

Remember: the more the hibiscus is pruned, the more young shoots it will produce, which means the more abundant its flowering will be.

Rejuvenating haircut for an aged bush involves removing all old, dead branches and shortening the remaining shoots inside the bush by two-thirds. It would be better to trim the branches around the main shoot to different heights - this will give the bush a beautiful shape.

In the photo: How hibiscus blooms

Hibiscus transplant

If you need to replant your hibiscus, do it in early spring, after cutting the shoots to half their length and before flowering begins, in the same order as already described. How to care for hibiscus after transplantation? Do not forget to water the plant abundantly, but otherwise treat it as described in the previous sections, and in a year it will already bloom. If you are replanting a hybrid hibiscus, you can divide the hibiscus rhizome at the same time as replanting.

Reproduction of garden hibiscus

How to propagate hibiscus

As you can see, even novice gardeners can plant and care for hibiscus. The propagation of hibiscus and its care after propagation are also simple. Garden hibiscus (Syrian) reproduces by layering, grafting, but most often by cuttings and seeds. Hybrid hibiscus is propagated by dividing the bush, grafting and green cuttings.

In the photo: Orange hibiscus

Hibiscus from seeds

Growing hibiscus from seeds begins from January to March. Before sowing, hibiscus seeds are soaked for half an hour in a dark pink solution of potassium permanganate, and then for a day in a small amount of epin solution so that the seeds are barely covered with it. After this, the seeds are sown in containers with a mixture of sand and peat, covered with glass and placed in a warm place where the temperature is kept between 25-27 ºC; it would be a good idea to arrange bottom heating for the container with sowing.

It is also necessary to regularly ventilate the container with seeds, remove condensation and moisten the substrate.

When the first leaves develop on the seedlings, they are planted in individual pots. Make sure that the seedlings do not stretch out: if they do not have enough light, you will have to provide the seedlings with artificial lighting. IN open ground Hibiscus seedlings are planted in mid-May. Strong specimens can be planted immediately in a permanent place, while weaker specimens are planted for growing in a training bed at a distance of about half a meter between specimens. Garden hibiscus, unlike hybrid hibiscus, also reproduces by self-sowing.

Propagation of hibiscus by cuttings

For vegetative propagation in the summer, hibiscus cuttings with two or three internodes are cut, the lower sections of the cuttings are treated with a growth stimulator, then they are planted in greenhouses with a peat substrate and bottom heating is organized. Rooting of hibiscus occurs within a month, after which the cuttings are transplanted into pots with leaf soil, peat, turf soil and sand in equal parts, watered regularly, and when new shoots grow, they are pinched to stimulate tillering. As soon as the bush is formed, it is transplanted into open ground, and if it receives decent care, Hibiscus from cuttings will bloom in the first year after planting. Experienced gardeners manage to root hibiscus cuttings not in soil, but in water.

In the photo: Large hibiscus flower

Pests and diseases of hibiscus

Harmful insects and diseases of hibiscus

Hibiscus is rarely affected by insects and diseases, but if in dry times it suffers for a long time from a lack of moisture, it can be occupied by thrips, aphids, whiteflies and spider mites. To eliminate pests, you will have to resort to double treatment of the plant with insecticides Actellik, Fitoverm, Inta-vir, Karbofos with an interval of a week or ten days.

Of all the known diseases, chlorosis most often affects hibiscus in the garden - the lower leaves of the hibiscus fall off, and new ones grow yellowish. This happens due to a lack of nitrogen and iron in the soil, so iron chelate should be added to the water for irrigation, and in the spring, do not forget to apply a complex mineral fertilizer containing nitrogen to the soil.

In the photo: Growing hibiscus in open ground

Hibiscus turns yellow

Hibiscus leaves turn yellow due to chlorosis, as well as in case of injury to the root system that the plant could receive during transplantation. If the hibiscus turns yellow due to the roots, then it is necessary to add Zircon or Kornevin to the water for irrigation (see instructions) and for spraying the leaves (three drops per half liter of water). Hibiscus leaves turn yellow as a result of insufficient watering during the hot, dry summer.

Hibiscus doesn't bloom

If you planted a hibiscus in a bright, spacious area and care for it, as required by agricultural technology, but it nevertheless does not want to bloom, most likely the problem is a lack of phosphorus and boron. And if the shoots slow down their growth, then the problem is also a lack of nitrogen. Don’t forget to apply the fertilizers your hibiscus needs on time, and it will definitely bloom.

Hibiscus leaves are falling

If hibiscus leaves fall off in the fall, this is a natural process, but if this happens prematurely, then the problem arose either due to improper watering (insufficient or excessive), or the root of the plant is injured. For recommendations on what to do in these cases, see the previous sections.

In the photo: Hibiscus in a flowerbed

Hibiscus after flowering

Hibiscus in the garden in autumn

Hybrid perennial hibiscus are almost all winter-hardy; they can be grown throughout Ukraine, and in Russia - only south of Moscow, but subject to shelter for the winter. The ground part of the hybrid hibiscus dies in the fall, so it is cut off almost to the surface level and burned, the remains of the bush are watered abundantly, and then piled high with earth, and the area, in case of a too cold or snowless winter, is mulched with sawdust or dry fallen leaves. Next spring, the powerful rhizomes of hybrid hibiscus will produce new shoots on which beautiful flowers will bloom.

How to winter hibiscus

How does garden or Syrian hibiscus winter? In the conditions of the middle zone, it requires obligatory shelter, especially if you grow double plant varieties. Some gardeners living in regions with harsh winters dig up hibiscus, place them in a container or large pot and keep them in the basement or other cool room until spring, and in the spring they are planted again in open ground. If you decide that your hibiscus will winter in the garden, in the second or third ten days of November, when the air temperature will be between -5 ºC and -10 ºC, build a frame around the hibiscus, onto which you will stretch lutrasil, spunbond or agrotex. If your area does not experience frosts exceeding 15 ºC, your hibiscus will be reliably protected by such structures.

In the photo: Hibiscus blooming

However, the best way to protect hibiscus from frost, and at the same time avoid their dampening under materials that do not allow air to pass through, is to cover the hibiscus bushes with spruce branches, which accumulate snow on themselves and do not allow the hibiscus to rot and overheat. The plant is covered with spruce branches in three layers, laying branches like a hut, after tying the hibiscus bush with a rope and putting a sackcloth bag on it. However, rodents often climb into such shelters and eat the bark on the hibiscus in the warmth, dooming the plant to death. To prevent mice or rats from destroying your plant, place mousetraps around the hibiscus or place bait under cover - wheat poisoned by rodent poison.

Types and varieties of garden hibiscus

Garden hibiscus is represented mainly by varieties of Syrian hibiscus, but other plant species, as well as their varieties, are also grown in cultivation.

Syrian hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus)

Surprisingly, it comes from China, not Syria. In nature, plants of this species reach a height of 5-6 meters and are deciduous shrubs with bright green ovate leaves about 10 cm long and single flowers of different colors. In addition to hibiscus with simple flowers, double hibiscus is grown in culture, and the form of the plant can be either bush or standard. Of the popular varieties, the most interesting are:

• Diana– a shrub up to 2 m high with white flowers with a diameter of about 12 cm, wavy along the edge of the petals;
• Vayelit Ilar Double– a very powerful upright growing bush with double or semi-double flowers of a violet-blue hue with red spots in the middle;
• Pink Giant– a bush with single pink flowers with a purple spot at the base of the petals;
• Carneus Plenus- a shrub with flexible shoots and double pale pink flowers with a purple spot in the middle.

In the photo: Syrian hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus)

Trifoliate hibiscus (Hibiscus trionum)

The species is native to central and northern Africa, although today it is widely grown in all areas of irrigated agriculture. The root of this plant is taproot, the stem is straight, branched, up to 80 cm high. The leaves are tripartite, petiolate, alternate, with pubescence. The flowers are yellowish, up to 4 cm in diameter, with a dark red center.

A peculiarity of the species is that the flowers open in the morning for only a few hours, and close in the afternoon.

Flowering of plants of this species lasts more than a month, because a new hibiscus bud is formed in the axil of each leaf, and if optimal conditions are created for hibiscus trifoliata, new flowers will appear daily.

In the photo: Trifoliate hibiscus (Hibiscus trionum)

Hybrid hibiscus (Hibiscus hybrida)

In addition to these two species, which grow both in the wild and in culture, as garden plants hybrid hibiscus and its varieties are grown. As already mentioned, this hybrid was developed by crossing three North American species - holly (armed), bright red and swamp hibiscus. Hybrid hibiscus- herbaceous perennials that are distinguished by spectacular and very large flowers. The best varieties:

• Youth- a bush up to one and a half meters high, weakly branched, stems of a light yellow-green hue, from which shoots extend at an angle of 60º. The leaves are also yellow-green, three- or five-cut. Pink flowers with a white bottom and cup, up to 10 cm in diameter, have the shape of a tulip;
• Late- a compact bush of approximately a meter in height and the same diameter, densely leafy with jagged, oval-arrow-shaped leaves with light veins on thick petioles. The flowers, raspberry-pink with a lilac tint, in the shape of narrow bells up to 7 cm in diameter, open on short thick peduncles;

In the photo: Hybrid hibiscus (Hibiscus hybrida)

• Pale pink– a herbaceous bush up to 170 cm high with short shoots extending at an angle of 60º from the branches, with three-cut yellow-green leaves with a serrated edge and tulip-shaped pink flowers up to 12 cm in diameter with a white bottom and bowl;
• Pink porcelain– bush up to 130 cm, branched stems, yellow-green in color, leaves deeply notched with a wide, protruding middle lobe, dusty yellow-green, on petioles up to 6 cm long. Large bell-shaped light pink flowers with a barely noticeable yellowness and a white throat, up to 12 cm in diameter, sit in bunches on short peduncles.
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Hibiscus plants are found all over the world in all their diversity. These magnificent flowers from the widespread Malvaceae family are found in wild and cultivated flora as annual and perennial, evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, herbaceous and indoor plants.

In the humid floodplain onions of Southeast Asia, where they come from, you can admire continuous thickets of delicate buds with large petals. According to various sources, the flowers of the hibiscus family have from 150 to 300 species. Sometimes they are mistakenly confused with Ukrainian mallows. Let's try to understand the features of the most common varieties.

Did you know? In many countries, hibiscus is not just decoration. For example, young leaves and sprouts of some varieties are eaten as vegetables, the seeds and roots of others are processed to make medicines, and the flowers are used to make black hair dye, crimson food coloring and the beloved hibiscus tea.

Hybrid hibiscus (Hibiscus hybridus)

This perennial is very common in our latitudes and is cultivated as a house and garden plant. In warm countries it can be found exclusively as a grassy outdoor decoration. The variety was obtained about 70 years ago by a Soviet botanist, Professor Fedor Rusanov, who is the founder of the Tashkent Botanical Garden in Uzbekistan.

For the developed variety, the breeder successfully selected the mother material - hibiscus from North America: bright red (Hibiscus coccineus), marsh (Hibiscus moscheutos) and armed (Hibiscus militaris). From these herbaceous crops, hybrid hibiscus, through the process of crossing, inherited tolerance to low temperatures and large scarlet inflorescences, which reach from 18 to 25 cm in diameter.

The buds open in August and delight the eye with their exquisite beauty until the first frost. For the winter, only powerful rhizomes remain alive in garden hibiscus, and the stems completely die off. In late spring, they throw out scanty sprouts, similar to spears, stretching up to 2 meters and higher, and slowly cover themselves with 3-5-lobed leaves.

Giant single flowers appear already in the second year after planting; they can be simple or double. They are also different in color – from pure white to blood red. Faded inflorescences turn into green seed pods, which when ripe become brown and dry out.

Caring for representatives of this species does not require additional effort or knowledge, and is accessible even to beginners. When planting, it is advisable to place the plant in a sunny area, protected from northern winds and shade. The soil will be suitable any, of course, will be more comfortable for a hybrid hibiscus in enriched and well-drained black soil.
The flower tends to tolerate moderate drought and frost. In order for the root system to safely overwinter, it is covered with mulch or dry leaves for the winter. This type of hibiscus reproduces by dividing the rhizome, scion and cuttings.

Important! Dark scarlet spots on the leaves indicate excessive feeding and a simultaneous lack of light.

Indoor specimens love well-lit places, but get burned in direct sunlight. Western and eastern sides are more suitable for flowerpots. In summer, the pot is taken outside, protected from drafts and rain. With the reduction of daylight hours, the need for additional artificial lighting arises. Otherwise, you may never get any inflorescences.

It is typical that at home, hybrid hibiscus is kept at a temperature of +20 °C during the growing season, and in autumn-winter it is accustomed to +16 °C. If you continue to decrease the temperature, the flower may lose its leaves. By the way, this is a great reason to do it pruning. It is needed for the formation of the crown and rejuvenation of the flower. For this purpose, shoots are cut at a level of 8-15 cm from the ground.
Proper pruning is always carried out after replanting a flowerpot or changing the soil in a pot. If you then place the container in a cool place and water it rarely, the crop will go dormant for several months. When new shoots appear, watering and spraying are increased and sprouts are pinched off from time to time for better branching.

Chinese rose (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

In the wild, this variety of hibiscus can be seen in its native islands of the Pacific tropics and East Asia. To residents of the temperate climate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, the Chinese rose is well known as an indoor crop, and in the subtropics it is cultivated to decorate gardens and greenhouses. Also called flower "rosanelle".
Evergreen can develop in the form of a bush or small tree, stretching up to 4 meters. On powerful branches the bark becomes brown and green on young ones. The leaves are large, oval in shape, sharp at the edges with a glossy surface and slight internal roughness.

Hibiscus roses reach a diameter of 10-15 cm. Most often these are simple single flowers with a tall peduncle, a funnel-shaped bell-shaped cup and long pistil threads, which, growing together into a tube, extend far beyond the petals. Flowering lasts only a couple of days, but due to the appearance of new buds, hibiscus continuously pleases with roses from early spring to late autumn.

Did you know? The Chinese rose can often be found in administrative premises. People are afraid to grow the flower at home because of the many superstitions associated with it. Sudden flowering and falling of leaves is considered a bad sign. They say it's a sign of bad luck, illness and family quarrels..

The most common are simple red flowers, but in the last two decades, breeders have developed many double species of various shapes and colors: from soft orange to deep purple. Low-growing species of Dutch origin and hibiscus with variegated leaves of bright scarlet color with white splashes also appeared.
Reproduction Chinese hibiscus mostly cutting method.

The variety requires special care at a young age and during the flowering period. Mistakes made are reflected in the absence of flowers and plant diseases. For a lush flowering crown, after rooting, pinch off the top of the seedling, and when the buds appear, water and spray the flowerpot every morning and evening, make sure there is sufficient lighting and feed it. In the future, as necessary, you will need to cut off weak branches and shape the crown.

Mixtures of phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen fertilizers are very useful for Chinese roses. Liquid fertilizer is poured monthly under the roots and into a spray bottle for spraying. It is important that the solution does not come into contact with the flowers.

Blackening on leaves and wilting of buds– clear signs of infectious diseases that are a consequence improper care. Culture is very sensitive to spider mites, felt mites, thrips, whiteflies and fungi. For prevention, it is recommended not to dry out or over-moisten the soil, and to protect the flower from drafts and sudden changes in temperature. In addition, treat the bush with pesticides once a month.
Unlike superstitious housewives, botanists find explanations for the absence and sudden appearance of flowers, yellowing, falling leaves. Scientists completely dispel the myth that hibiscus flowers are a sign of illness and death, drawing the attention of gardeners to the need to trim the crown of the Chinese rose (otherwise the entire potential of the plant will go into the growth of branches, and there will be no strength left for flowering). With proper care, the Chinese rose can live up to 20 years and produce spectacular, beautiful roses every year.

Important! Indoor and garden hibiscus suffer from leaf chlorosis, which is accompanied by their falling off. The cause is excessive amounts of chlorine and calcium in irrigation water and a lack of nitrogen and iron. To prevent disease, make sure that the water you are going to water the plant with is well settled. Feeding is also advisable.

Swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)

The herbaceous perennial is popular in flower beds at subtropical latitudes. Ukrainian flower growers cultivate it in open ground, rarely indoors. Popularly this type of bush hibiscus is also called "swamp mallow".
It got its name due to two important care requirements: For full development, the shrub needs water and a sunny lawn. A nearby flowing stream or pond will create very comfortable conditions for him.

Despite the unattractive name, the variety attracts gardeners with its elegant flowers of various colors with exquisite corollas and bright rimmed spots. The flowering period begins in early summer and ends in autumn. Each flower reaches from 12 to 16 cm in diameter. In place of faded calyxes, seed pods with glossy grains ripen.

The leaves are large, slightly convex, rich green in color, which lasts until frost. A frost-resistant plant, like hybrid hibiscus, can survive 25-degree frosts in the presence of snow cover. At the end of winter or spring (before the sap begins to flow and buds open), they begin crown formation. At the same time, old, diseased and damaged branches are also removed. Marsh mallow retains its given shape all year round.

In favorable conditions, the bush grows up to 3 meters in height and up to 18 meters in width. Based on these features, it is used as a decorated hedge. Moreover, the culture can live up to 23 years and is not at all picky about care.
By providing it with plenty of sun and constantly moist, slightly acidic soil when planting, you can count on lush and long-lasting flowering. In the shade, swamp hibiscus will bloom poorly, actively increasing green biomass.

Important! To root hibiscus using cuttings, sprouts with three buds are cut off, then treated with “Kornevin” and deepened into a moist mixture of peat and sand. After a month, roots appear.

A characteristic feature of swamp hibiscus is its lack of response to a lack of fertilizer. At the same time, too much of them immediately affects the decorative effect. Any organic matter (applied in the spring) and phosphorus-potassium mixtures (applied in the fall) are considered the most suitable for the bush. Traditional care, like any hibiscus, consists of mandatory watering, loosening the soil and removing weeds.

Syrian hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus)

Varieties of Syrian hibiscus are the most common in post-Soviet territory. They are a fairly tall shrub, from 3 to 6 meters high, with even branches, bright green oval-shaped leaves and large single flowers of different shades of the scarlet and purple spectrum, which can be simple or double. There are also two-color specimens.
The peculiarity of the variety is the slow development of the bush. The intensity of its growth will be accelerated by moderate systematic watering. Do not flood or overdry the soil. When drought occurs, the crop drops flowers, so in hot weather, daily watering may be necessary.

Syrian hibiscus enters the flowering phase in the 3-4th year of life, begins in May and fades in November. The diameter of the flowers is on average about 12 cm. It is typical that the pedicel fades on the day of flowering, but this fact is unnoticeable due to the many buds.

The best place for the plant will be a sunny area with well-drained loamy soil. Does not like limestones. It responds well to pruning, which involves removing old branches and cutting off too long branches. Propagated by cuttings, layering, seeds and scion.

Young seedlings are very sensitive to low temperatures, so for the winter their root system is covered with dry leaves or fresh sawdust. If the hibiscus is still damaged by frost, new shoots will appear on it in the spring.

You should not rush to conclusions about the death of its roots, since sluggish signs of life on the bush appear late in the spring. Its tolerance to cold develops as it grows. Old specimens can successfully overwinter at 22 °C below zero. Terry species are more stable in this aspect.
For better wintering in the fall, the plant is fed with potassium. And for intensive growth and strengthening of the root system, water with liquid infusion chicken manure. As an alternative, phosphorus fertilizers can be used.

Did you know? In South Korea, they are very sensitive to Syrian hibiscus. The plant is considered national and is believed to accompany happiness and love.

In landscape design, Syrian hibiscus is used as a single plant and in compositions, given standard and clipped forms, and planted in containers. The plant goes well with lavender, which, in addition to a beautiful decorative picture, drives away pests from the bush.

When purchasing a young seedling, you should give preference to specimens with well-grown roots and a strong trunk. The shrub can be propagated by seeds and cuttings.

Sour hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella)

In the wild, this species is found in the tropics of Africa, for which it is called in unofficial circles "African mallow". And there are also names "red leaf hibiscus", "maple leaf sorrel". And all because of the crimson color of the maple foliage, which gives the hibiscus indescribable beauty and uniqueness. At home, young shoots of the crop are widely eaten. They taste sour, reminiscent of sorrel.
The cultivated version was discovered by the French. It is assumed that the sour hibiscus variety, during the process of hybridization, inherited biological characteristics from the species Hibiscus asper and Hibiscus surattensis. Today it is represented by a rich variety of forms.

Externally, it is a luxurious perennial subshrub, popular in tropical and subtropical climates of all continents. Can survive mild winters with frosts of no more than 8 degrees. In temperate zones it is cultivated as an annual plant. It is characterized by a dense crown, which stretches up to a maximum of 1.5 m and grows in width up to 80 cm.

The stems are elastic, straight, covered with light down. The leaves are large, as already mentioned, five-lobed with a smooth surface on which the veins are clearly visible, and an unusual variegated coloring. In some species it takes on greenish, purple or crimson shades.

Hibiscus flowers are small in comparison with the above varieties, reaching 5-10 cm in diameter, appearing in the upper part of the stems from axillary leaves. They come in different colors.

A typical feature of the variety is the harmonious combination of the veins on the foliage with the color of the petals. The exoticism of the buds is complemented by a long stamen, over 2 cm, extending beyond the flower. On faded pedicels a seed ripens, very reminiscent of chestnuts.

Did you know? In Congo and Cameroon, sour hibiscus is sold in bunches at markets for use in salads. And in Brazil, the crop is grown as spinach and the foliage is highly valued for vitamins C, A, group B, iron microelements and antioxidants. They also note the meatiness in the structure and the property of not losing color and taste during heat treatment. The Angolan people use hibiscus to raise hemoglobin in the blood. And in Central America it is used to prepare thirst-quenching burgundy lemonade, which is drunk with lemon and ice. Tea is made from flowers. African peoples mistakenly call it hibiscus, although, in fact, real hibiscus is prepared from the flower cups of the Sudanese hibiscus.

Today, on the flower market, sour hibiscus is presented in different types. The most common: Red Shield, Panama Red, Panama Bronze, Garden Leader Gro Big Red, Jungle Red. Most of these are low-flowering, heat-loving varieties, recognized for their unique foliage.

As annuals, they adapt well to our latitudes; they love moist, well-permeable, slightly acidic soils in sunny areas. Tender stems are afraid of strong winds. Flowering begins in August and lasts a couple of weeks, but throughout the summer and part of autumn the plant flaunts extravagant variegated foliage. For the winter, the roots are dug up and transplanted into a pot. The advantage of the species is its resistance to nematodes. This quality is used by breeders when crossing to produce new breeds.

Hibiscus arnottianus

Globally, this species is known on all continents due to its medicinal properties. The leaves, flowers and bark of the bush are used to prepare laxative decoctions and for the purpose of purifying the blood. From the Hawaiian Islands, where the evergreen Arnotti hibiscus is native, it has spread far beyond the tropics and subtropics. In temperate climates it is cultivated as an annual plant.
Among other species of the family, it is distinguished by tall, straight stems, which sometimes reach up to 10 m, and fragrant tubular flowers with multi-colored “eyes”. The diameter of the flower is over 10 cm. The petals are mostly white with delicate scarlet or purple veins, in harmony with the pistil rising above the bud.

In its native latitudes, the plant grew among forest trees over 30 m high. Obviously, the shrub needs to create the closest possible conditions in the garden plot. For full development it needs enough warmth and moisture. Comfort will be provided by drained black soil. From time to time it needs to be enriched with organic matter and mineral complex fertilizers.

In winter, the roots are replanted to be kept indoors. Some gardeners grow varieties of this species in large containers to avoid unnecessary hassle. In the summer they are taken outside and taken indoors for the winter.

Shrubs are propagated exclusively rooting cuttings, since in our latitudes the seeds almost never ripen.

Did you know? In Hawaii, hibiscus is called the “flower of beautiful women” and is considered a national culture.

Some subspecies of Arnotti hibiscus are considered endangered. For example, immaculatus suffers from being eaten by wild animals. Its representatives are rarely found on 2-3 Malay Islands around the globe.

Hawaiian hibiscus (Hibiscus clayi)

Among Ukrainian flower growers, Hawaiian hibiscus is known as an indoor tree-like plant, and in warm countries it is used for outdoor landscaping. The stems of the bush grow to a level of 30-50 cm. The leaves have a glossy surface, slightly oblong, slightly curved, reminiscent of a dwarf ficus. The flowers consist of five red petals arranged in a long green cup.
The birthplace of the culture is the forests on the Hawaiian island of Nunu. With the development of civilization, the species practically did not survive in the wild. It is cut down, expanding resort areas, highways and cities, and in rural areas irreparable damage is caused by animals for whom it is just food.

Little is known about the Hawaiian hibiscus. Botanical encyclopedias very succinctly outline the general characteristics of the species, without mentioning the history of occurrence, flowering cycles, longevity, the main requirements for full development and factors inhibiting growth.

Flower growers, in their reviews of the culture, mention vital conditions for it:

• diffused light;
• temperature regime from 18 to 22 °C - in the hot season and from 16 to 18 °C - in the cold season;
• soil and air humidity, which requires systematic watering and spraying;
• monthly one-time fertilizing with nitrogen fertilizers;
• light turf soil mixed with sand and humus, good drainage.

Like all hibiscus, Hawaiian varieties suffer from spider mites, thrips, whiteflies and aphids. The drug Actellik is effective in combating them. They can treat the flowerpot once a month for prevention.

Hibiscus divaricatus

At its core, this type of hibiscus has collected Australian varieties - analogues of Chinese rose. Externally, the spreading hibiscus is an evergreen shrub with spiny stems. It has a strong trunk with uneven bark, low-lying branches and large leaves, round in shape up to 10 cm in diameter. The flowers are yellow with a crimson base. On the calyx, and then on the pod with grains, hard fibers, similar to spines, are noticeable.

Important! All indoor hibiscus need to be replanted every three years. It is better to replant young specimens annually.

Cultivated varieties reach a height of three meters, and on the native coasts and forest edges of Australia, where the spreading hibiscus comes from, it stretches over 5 m. Obviously, it got its name because of the awkward shape of the crown: the branches first extend from the trunk at a right angle, and then rush upward.

Flower growers are more attracted to exotic inflorescences. Each flower is about 10 cm in diameter and is pollinated by insects. But the shrub is rarely bred with seeds, preferring the method cuttings. Young seedlings require special care, but mature plants are very patient.

Hibiscus diversifolius

Its homeland is the Australian lands from Botany Bay in New South Wales and the Pacific Islands. Also found in Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar. In our latitudes it is cultivated as a potted plant. Some lovers of indoor flora often confuse variegated and spreading hibiscus.
Besides their origin, they have a lot in common: stems of the same length, similar in appearance, large flowers with a long pistil, petiole propagation method. The difference between the multi-leaved species is the leaves, resembling a heart shape up to 10 cm in diameter, with uneven sections along the edges. There are many thorns on the stems.

The variety of leaves of the species is explained by ragged, uneven serration and the presence of leaves of different sections on one stem. Near the tops they can be solid, and going down they can be dissected into 3 or 5 segments. On the inside, each leaf is densely covered with pile, which makes it rough.

The buds are pale yellow with a rich purple center and are collected in inflorescences that point downwards. The calyxes are bright green with bristly hair.

In addition to warmth and sun, hibiscus of this species adore water. In their native environment, they inhabit the banks of reservoirs, wet fields and the outskirts of swamps. At home, they require frequent watering and crown pruning. The peculiarity of diversifolius is its endurance to moderate winters.

Hibiscus drummondii

It is a shrub up to 2 m tall with thin branches directed upward. The leaves are trilobed, up to 5 cm long, with rough teeth along the edges. Tubular flowers of 5 petals, scarlet and purple color, which flows from more saturated in the center to delicate at the edges.
Name "sleepy hibiscus" due to incomplete openness of the buds. They seemed to be preparing to bloom and froze, waiting for the right moment. Variegated roses reach 11 cm in diameter.

On the Australian coasts, where the Drummond hibiscus comes from, the buds are filled with a light pearlescent tint. From a distance at the sight flowering bush it looks like someone painted purple corrugated paper with a mother-of-pearl brush and hung it on the green crown of a bush.

For regular lush flowering, the crop needs diffused light and moisture. In native shady areas in dry forest areas, hibiscus does not produce flowers, directing its branches higher and higher towards the sun. At the same time, the bush grows very much, intertwining with other plants, forming a green wall.

Important! If a mature home or garden hibiscus does not bloom, it is worth reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilizing, which provokes an increase in green biomass. Also, the reason may lie in a lack of water, light, or too high a temperature during hibernation.

High hibiscus (Hibiscus elatus)

The plant, which has spread throughout the world from Jamaica, is characterized by highly decorative flowers and high-quality wood. It is these two features that explain the parallel Caribbean name for high hibiscus - "blue maho", which means blue polish.
In its natural form, the plant is found in the southwestern part of India; cultivated evergreen trees decorate the streets in countries of warm latitudes. It’s hard not to notice them even with the buds not yet open. The fact is that the straight trunks of these trees are very tall.

They grow upward quickly and reach 25-30 meters. In temperate climatic conditions, the maximum height of hibiscus is within 7 meters, and in regions with high humidity and warm climates, the crop can be stunning at a kilometer height.

The branched crown is round in shape, with wide oval leaves up to 20 cm long. The trunk is powerful with fibrous bark. Tubular flowers of 5 petals amaze the imagination with their variegation: the buds are yellow, and as they open, their color turns into deep orange, then red. Roses reach a diameter of 12 cm, their edges are slightly curled towards the cup. In some varieties, yellow-crimson stripes on the orange body remain throughout the entire flowering period.
In its homeland, the crop is used for reforestation and is considered a valuable species. The aesthetics, strength and excellent texture of high hibiscus wood make it suitable for use in the production of furniture, picture frames and other interior decor items. It is also indispensable in the manufacture of the musical instrument katros, somewhat similar to a lute. Cubans use the bast plant in boxes for cigarette cases.

Edible hibiscus, or okra (Hibiscus esculentus)

This beautiful species of hibiscus is known in English-speaking countries as lady's finger, which translated means women's fingers. Also called okro and gumbo. In the UK, USA and Philippines - okra.

The geographic origin of the edible hibiscus species is not known with certainty. Appropriating it for themselves, botanists in South Asia and West Africa argue on this topic to this day. The crop is widely grown throughout the world in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate latitudes and is valued for the nutritional content of the young pods.

Did you know? In 1216, the Spaniards visited Egypt. They really enjoyed the treats made from the cooked green seed pods. Returning home, they talked about the unique crop that Africans grow. In 1658, okra appeared in Brazil, and in 1748 - in distant Philadelphia. For the first time they started talking about developing new varieties of the species in 1806.

In our latitudes, the perennial is cultivated as an annual herbaceous plant. Externally, okra is a shrub up to two meters tall. Recently, breeders have proposed dwarf varieties no higher than 50 cm. Thick stems are densely branched and slightly pubescent.

In adulthood, the trunk becomes woody. The leaves are huge, up to 20 cm long, with 5-7 lobes, covered with weak hair, light shades of green. Flowers are medium in size - up to 8 cm, with 5 petals of white, yellow color with red, purple “eyes” at the base. The fruits are formed in the leaf axils and are shaped like a capsule up to 18 cm long with a transverse pentagonal cross-section. It contains round grains.

Young ovaries that are no more than 3 days old are eaten. Old ones, brown in color, are considered unsuitable due to their bad taste. Okra is eaten raw, fried, stewed, boiled, and is also suitable for freezing and home canning.

The chemical composition of 100 g of okra contains 7.45 g of carbohydrates, 0.19 g of fat, 1.9 g of protein, 3.2 g of dietary fiber, and 89.6 g of water. And also vitamins: A – 5%, C – 28%, E – 2%, K – 30%, thiamine (B1) – 17%, riboflavin (B2) – 5%, niacin (B3) – 7%, folic acid(B9) – 15%, potassium – 8%, calcium – 6%, zinc – 6%, phosphorus – 9%, iron – 5%, magnesium – 16%.
During the cooking process, edible hibiscus turns into a slimy mass. The plant in its original form is red and green. They are the same in taste. When heat treated, the red species turns green. The foliage is also suitable for consumption. Oil squeezed from okra seeds is highly valued on the world market. They have learned to use it not only for culinary and cosmetic purposes, but even as fuel.

Unripe pods are used to make soup and stew, while ripe specimens are roasted and prepared into the famous gombo coffee. The drink is allowed even for children, as it does not contain caffeine. In some countries, the species is cultivated exclusively for its fruit, which is high in a starchy substance called gombin.

It is processed into powder, which is widely used by local cooks as a thickener for soups and creams. In addition, cough medicines are made from the plant, to restore immunity and treat the digestive tract.

Fruit collection must be carried out with gloves, since the hard fleecy structure of the stems provokes irritation of the skin.

Did you know? When the first okra fruit ripens, the development of the remaining flowers and pods slows down. If the ovaries are regularly pinched off, they will form before the fruit appears.

The culture is not demanding in terms of care. It loves warmth and sun, and is considered the most heat-resistant of all mallows. It is cultivated even on dry clay soils. Drought is not a problem for okra, unlike frost. Can withstand short-term frosts up to 3 degrees, but will reduce growth rates.

The heat-loving plant is planted by seed in open ground only in warm countries. In our latitudes, gardeners practice planting hibiscus seedlings in greenhouses. After germination and strengthening of the sprouts, the seedlings are planted in pots and subsequently grown as a houseplant. In summer, the container is placed in the garden, protecting it from drafts and rain.

The plant is under threat powdery mildew, root-knot nematodes and verticillium wilt. For preventive purposes, the crop is periodically treated with pesticides.

Hibiscus fragilis

A species of extremely rare endemic shrub growing on the steep slopes of the mountains of Cordegardie, Le Morne Brabant in Mauritius. Externally, fragile hibiscus looks like a Chinese rose.

The perennial is an evergreen, very dense bush with a widely branched crown. Leaves are 5-7 segmented. The flowers are tubular, with 5 petals that overlap each other, in bright scarlet, terracotta and red shades. They are up to 10 cm in diameter.
The brittle hibiscus is disappearing in the wild. Today it numbers only four dozen copies and cannot independently recover to its former numbers. According to scientists, this is due to active competitive hybridization. Employees of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew are trying to solve the problem by reproducing seedlings of the crop. Success in cultivation raises hopes for the return of the species to the natural environment.

Hibiscus heterophyllus

The perennial plant is common in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. It is a tall, fast-growing shrub or tree with white, soft scarlet flowers and edible fruits.
In its native environment, hibiscus varifolia prefers warm and humid conditions. The flowering period and the color of the petals depend on the habitat. For example, specimens in the northern regions of Queensland bloom brightly in June. yellow roses, and those closer to southern latitudes bloom with white buds in December.

In its native environment, the evergreen shrub grows up to 6 m, and in zones with a temperate climate its maximum height is up to 2 m. To maintain the neat appearance of the widely branched crown, the branches are periodically trimmed. Gardeners consider the post-flowering phase to be the best period for this procedure. Then you need to pinch off the top by a third.

Indirect light, moisture and heat are vital for the development of hibiscus. The plant can tolerate a temporary drop in temperature, but this will be reflected in its flowering. Does not like northern winds and rains.

It is better to place the flowerpot in the room away from direct sunlight, and in the summer, when taking it out into the garden, hide it in protected partial shade. When grown in open ground, the best place for this specimen will be near a wall or fence.
Multileaf hibiscus propagated cuttings or seeds. Depending on the chosen method, stems will be formed. That is, if you root a cutting, in the future you will get fibrous roots that promote abundant and long-lasting flowering. In cases with grains, the taproot will grow, and therefore there will be few flowers and they will appear late.

Important! To propagate hibiscus by cuttings, at the end of winter, cut off a healthy specimen. top part branches at an angle through a knot and left for 6-8 weeks until roots appear in a container of water. After which they are planted in a substrate of humus, peat and leaf soil.

Hibiscus huegelii

It is one of 35 Australian hibiscus species. The sandy coasts of Western Australia are his native environment. The plant stands out among its fellows big flowers, which vary greatly in color. In Europe it is called "lilac hibiscus". The name is most likely due to the color of the buds.

The species received its official name in honor of Baron von Huegel. Scientists are still debating the classification of the species. In the encyclopedic literature, hibiscus varieties huegelii leptochlamys (lilac) and hibiscus huegelii wrayae (white), are no longer considered a subspecies of cultivated varieties.
Externally, it is a tall, up to 4 meters, well-branched bush, with bright green fleecy leaves, divided into 3-5 segments. Their edges are jagged, the inner side is pubescent, and the veins are clearly visible on the outer side. The buds consist of 5 petals, up to 7 cm long, the edges of which overlap each other. The most common colors are lilac, lilac, blue, red, and cream.

By the end of the day, like all mallows, the flowers gain bright colors and fade, resembling paper in structure. In the wild, flowering lasts from June to January, and in a cultivated environment - until the temperature drops.

The plant is not at all picky about soil. Loves clayey, sandy, well-lit, drained areas and moisture. Does not tolerate low temperatures. To maintain vitality it needs feeding. After flowering, the bush is trimmed to make the crown compact. A feature of the species is the sparse foliage on the lower branches and fast-growing young shoots that emanate close to the cuttings.

Hibiscus kahilii

Distributed on Australian shores. In our latitudes it is cultivated in open ground as an annual and as a potted plant.

Externally, it is a medium-sized bush with straight powerful stems stretching upward and in width up to 1-2 meters. The leaves are large, up to 8 cm long, covered with light hair, bright green, with 3-5 segments.
Blooms from late May to September. The buds are tubular, single, with 5 petals, up to 10 cm in diameter. Their color is often scarlet, red, or lilac. It is characteristic that the flowers do not fully open, which is similar to Drummond's hibiscus.

Representatives of this species love light, although they can develop in partial shade. Also important is soil and air humidity, twice-daily fertilizing (preferably in spring and summer) and timely pruning.

Important! To propagate hibiscus by seed, ripe grains are first poured with warm water for a day, after which they are sown in a container with a moist substrate and sent to a warm place until germination.

Hibiscus mutabilis

The plant is named so because of the ability of flowers to change the color of their petals as they ripen. In addition, in its homeland, China, hibiscus was nicknamed "lotus tree", and in Buenos Aires - "mad rose".

The culture is widely known on all continents in tropical, subtropical and temperate latitudes, cultivated as an outdoor, garden decoration and potted plant. The Chinese believe in the healing properties of hibiscus, so it is not easy for them beautiful flower, and also a pain reliever.
In the wild, hibiscus variata is an evergreen shrub, and in countries with cold winters it is a leafy shrub. It has powerful stems up to 3 m high. The crown is umbrella-shaped. The leaves are toothed, maple-shaped, rich green in color, with slight hairiness. Their length reaches 25 cm.

The flowers are double and large in size, unlike other types of hibiscus, and do not bloom on the day the bud opens. Moreover, the color of the petals amazes, which change three times during the flowering period. At first the buds are creamy, on the second day the open rose is white, tomorrow it will become soft scarlet, and the day after tomorrow it will turn purple. The flowering period begins in July and lasts until September.

In indoor conditions, it is better to place the flowerpot on the south and east sides, since it will die in the shade. In summer it can be taken out into the garden, and in winter it can be kept at a reduced temperature (up to 15 ° C). Also, as daylight hours decrease, additional lighting will be needed. Representatives of this type of hibiscus are pruned every season, pinching off the apical growth points. Heavily overgrown shrubs are trimmed sparingly - they will soon send out arrows of new shoots.

The soil for the crop is chosen to be slightly acidic; it should be sufficiently moist and drained.

Hibiscus panduriformis

Hibiscus panduroides is an evergreen perennial shrub that is cultivated for its foliage for landscaping purposes. In its native environment, in Florida and Miami, its stems reach up to 1.5-2 m and grow 60 cm in width. A feature of the species is the toxicity of all parts of the bush. If they come into contact with the skin, they cause allergic reactions.
The plant loves partial shade and sunny areas, has an average water requirement, tolerates temperatures in the range of 4.5-35 °C, is kept in acidic and semi-acidic soil, and is used for growing in open ground and in containers. The species is propagated exclusively by cuttings.

Did you know? It has been scientifically proven that regular consumption of hibiscus tea helps lower blood pressure and normalizes cholesterol levels in the blood.

Hibiscus sabdariffa, or rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

It is its flowers that are widely used all over the world to make hibiscus tea. The plant is cultivated as edible. Not only the calyxes of the flowers are used for food, but also the leaves and stems. They are used to prepare preserves, jams, marmalade and even wine products, which surprise with their pleasant natural color. By the way, rosella is an excellent food coloring.
In some countries, the plant is called the Sudanese rose, although in fact it has nothing to do with Sudan. The native land for the bush is India.

In temperate latitudes, the crop is grown as an annual. For hibiscus, well-drained, moist soil, a sunny area, moderate watering and systematic feeding are important. The bush is very thermophilic, develops quickly at +20-30 °C.

Scott's hibiscus (Hibiscus scottii)

In its natural form it grows in dense semi-deciduous forests of tropical and subtropical zones. It is rare because the species is classified as endangered. Today, Scott's hibiscus can only be found in Yemen.
It is distinguished by yellow-orange flowers and bright terracotta spots at the base. Their calyx consists of two toothed segments. The leaves are oval, with large teeth along the edges, slightly bent.

Sparkling hibiscus (Hibiscus splendens)

Its native habitat is Australia. It is a dense shrub up to 2 m high and wide. The stems are velvety. The leaves are heart-shaped, large, covered with hairiness and divided into asymmetrical serrated lobes, up to 20 cm long. The flowers are single, 5-petaled, tubular, about 16 cm in diameter, in most cases lilac and red.
When growing, it needs drainage sandy soil, moderate moisture and periodic pruning. Often the procedure is organized immediately after flowering or in the spring before the juice begins to flow.

Important! If the roots of your hibiscus are drying out, you should pay attention to the temperature regime. The flower does not tolerate cold soil.

Linden hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus)

Deserves interest due to its healing and decorative properties. Since ancient times, decoctions have been prepared from the roots, petals and flowers of linden hibiscus to treat respiratory diseases.

The Hawaiians used light and dense wood in shipbuilding, made fishing gear from bast fibers, and used bark to seal cracks in trays. And now wood is used for wood carving, making high-quality natural furniture and various decorative items.
Modern scientists have confirmed the antioxidant qualities of the culture.

You can see the bush in its natural habitat in the Maldives, Virgin Islands, Eastern and Northern Australia, South and Eastern Asia. Often these are beaches, swamps, and coastal areas. The plant is invulnerable to sea salt and can grow in quartz and coral sand, limestone, and crushed basalt. It is comfortable in slightly acidic soil.

The maximum height of the bush is 10 m. The trunk grows 15 cm in width. The branches are curved. The leaves are large, up to 30 cm long, heavily pubescent, heart-shaped, serrated. The flowers are bright yellow with a dark red base. During the day they change color to orange and red.

Trifoliate hibiscus (Hibiscus trionum)

In Southern Europe, where hibiscus trifoliata comes from, it is considered an annual weed of arable land. The culture grows up to 50 cm, blooming white self-pollinating flowers with pigment coloring. The seed pods are pale green with purple pearlescent tints, reminiscent of oriental lanterns. Stems are straight and hairy. The lower branches are longer than the upper ones, raised or drooping.

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Hibiscus is a tree, shrub or herbaceous plant from the Malvaceae family. There are about 200 varieties of it, and therefore growing garden hibiscus is a very exciting activity for gardeners all over the world. One of the species (Sudanese rose) is used to make Hibiscus tea. Okra, okra - edible hibiscus; it can be grown in a garden plot or on a balcony. A popular indoor flower - - grows in open ground in countries with warm climates. In our latitudes, it is only suitable for container gardening: flowers are taken outside in the summer and brought back in when it gets colder. Tree hibiscus, or Syrian hibiscus, is also grown at home, a deciduous shrub that has a pronounced dormant period and requires certain wintering conditions.

Garden types of hibiscus

Growing garden hibiscus on the site and caring for it does not cause any trouble; this plant allows you to decorate a shady corner with large, bright flowers. Breeders have developed several varieties that can be planted in central Russia, but they require winter shelter or digging out of the ground. There are frost-resistant species, but they are rarely found on sale.

Hibiscus plants are suitable for regions with temperate climates:

• trifoliate,
• Syrian,
• swamp,
• grassy,
• garden.

Syrian and garden hibiscus are often confused, because the first has another name - tree-like. In southern countries it received the nickname “flower of love.” Usually it is a shrub about 1.5-2 meters in height, completely covered with large simple or double flowers, similar to mallow. The classic colors are white and lilac, but now others have been introduced: pink, red, blue. Swamp hibiscus, or okra, okra, is a very ornamental shrub with large flowers, usually pink or red. It is frost-resistant, tolerates temperatures down to –30 °C.

Herbaceous hibiscus grows 3 meters in height - it is a frost-resistant shrub that blooms from August to September. Its stems are massive, erect, with large leaves reminiscent of sunflower leaves. Flowers can be white, light pink or red. Growing and caring for it is very simple. The plant is sun-loving and undemanding to soil composition, which is why it is popular among gardeners. In the winter it is cut off at the root, and in the spring it grows back. There are more than 1000 hybrids of herbaceous hibiscus. Trifoliate, or northern, hibiscus is a medicinal herbaceous annual plant with small light yellow flowers that open for several hours in the morning.

Garden hibiscus is a hybrid herbaceous perennial, resulting from crossing 3 species: red, pink and holly. It is distinguished by decorative foliage and large, showy flowers, the size of which can reach 40 cm. Care is simple.


There are several hybrids.

• Youth is a plant with light green leaves and purple flowers, reminiscent of a tulip in shape.
• Late - a shrub with oval leaves and crimson bell-shaped flowers, grows up to 1 m.
• Pale pink - a plant up to 2 meters high, yellowish foliage, bright pink, tulip-shaped flowers.
• Pink porcelain- a medium-sized bush up to 1.5 m high, flowers are large, pink, with a white throat, in the form of bells. Bright green succulent leaves on long petioles.

Hibiscus for container gardening

The following species are used as tub crops on the site.

1. Dissected petal hibiscus (Schisopetalus)- the petals of flowers of this species are strongly dissected and bent back. Outwardly, it resembles domesticated Chinese. Flowering lasts from spring to autumn.
2. Chinese hibiscus- a shrub with flowers of various sizes and shades. It is common to grow as a houseplant, but can be moved into the garden in the summer. Caring for a tub flower consists of abundant watering and fertilizing.

Growing these plants is not difficult, but there are some rules that you need to follow to ensure that your hibiscus grows healthy and strong.

Caring for garden hibiscus

Planting is done in an area with nutritious and breathable soil, in a place protected from winds and bright sun. Shrubs are planted in the spring, then by autumn the young plants will have time to take root. To grow garden hibiscus in open ground, you will need a deep planting hole, which must be filled with a thick layer of drainage - at least 15 cm - with sand and rotted compost. Garden soil mixed with sand and peat is laid out on this mixture.

Plants are placed in a hole so that the root collar is level with the soil; there is no need to deepen it - this can lead to rotting. Then sprinkle with soil and water abundantly. Planting and care before winter should be accompanied by mulching of the soil. Additionally, it is better to insulate the seedlings with spruce branches.

Further care for garden hibiscus consists of abundant watering, regular loosening of the soil, pruning and fertilizing. You need to water the shrub as the soil dries with warm, settled water; on hot days, more liquid will be needed. Some types of hibiscus drop their leaves when there is a lack of moisture. It is advisable to feed the shrub in the spring-summer period once every 2 weeks with phosphorus-containing fertilizer.

Loosening the soil improves aeration and allows the root system to breathe. It is better to prune garden and tree hibiscus in spring or early summer - this has a beneficial effect on flowering, makes it easier to care for and helps give the tree a beautiful shape. It is important to properly prepare young trees for the dormant period: before frost, garden hibiscus is pruned and watered abundantly, after which the soil around is mulched using dry leaves and. Young plants are wrapped or bent to the ground. For shelter, a frame and special material, such as agrotex, are used.

Hibiscus pruning

Spring plant care involves pruning the branches. This is a necessary procedure for both indoor and garden species. It is produced after a period of dormancy, when the bush has not yet begun to grow. Proper shortening of shoots has a positive effect on flowering, improves branching and the appearance of the shrub.

In some species, flower buds are formed only at the ends of new shoots, so without pruning the plant may stop blooming. Tree and garden hibiscus forms well, you can give it any shape, for example, turning it into standard tree. The cuttings obtained during pruning are used for plant propagation.

You should not get rid of hibiscus rhizomes in early spring - these plants wake up late, and it is better to wait a while than to uproot a bush that is still alive.

Propagation of hibiscus by cuttings

Garden and tree hibiscus propagate very simply: by seeds, cuttings, grafting. Cuttings begin in the summer, before flowering begins. To do this, shoots with several internodes are cut from the bush, the ends are dusted with a root formation stimulator and planted in a greenhouse with peat soil. Rooting lasts about a month, when the shoots begin to grow, they are transplanted into pots with a nutrient substrate and grown there until a bush is formed. After this, planting plants in open ground is possible.

Young plants do not have the frost resistance of adults, so they need to be covered for the winter or dug up, replanted in pots and stored until spring in a cellar or in the dark on a glazed balcony.

The water method is also suitable for cuttings, but when using it, it is removed from the shoot. most leaves, leaving 3-4; large ones are cut by a third to reduce evaporation. An activated carbon tablet is added to the water to prevent rotting. Hibiscus usually reproduces successfully from cuttings.

How to propagate hibiscus by seeds

Growing from seeds is the easiest way to propagate these plants. Garden hibiscus obtained in this way blooms in the year of planting, while Syrian hibiscus blooms only in the third year. It is better to start sowing in winter, from the end of January. The seeds need fresh, they do not require stratification. Planting is carried out in a mixture of peat and sand; before planting, the seed must be soaked in a growth stimulator for a day.

The crops are watered and covered with a bag or placed in a greenhouse, placing it in a bright and warm place where the temperature is not lower than +25 °C. Until friendly shoots appear, caring for seedlings consists of regular ventilation and spraying. Cultivation in open ground begins at the end of May, when the threat of frost has passed. Plants are planted in a permanent place, protected from drafts and scorching sun.

Diseases and pests

Spider mites are considered the main pests of hibiscus. They multiply quickly in hot and dry conditions, covering the bush with white cobwebs. Yellow dots appear on the leaves, the buds do not open, but dry out and fall off. In case of severe damage, plants need to be treated with special preparations. There are also folk recipes getting rid of this pest: spraying with garlic infusion, a solution of essential oils (10 drops per 1 liter of water) and others. Bushes are sometimes affected by aphids. These are quite large insects, visible to the naked eye. When they appear, insecticides are used.

Hibiscus can suffer from chlorosis, in which the leaf blade turns yellow, only the central veins remain green. The disease most often occurs due to a lack of nutrients, especially iron. It is necessary to add additional organomineral fertilizers to the soil and spray the leaves with iron chelate. Lack of nutrition is also indicated by such signs as lack of flowering, frequent yellowing and falling of leaves, and poor development of shoots. If the plant is not cared for properly, fungal diseases may occur due to excessive watering or low water temperature.

So, hibiscus can be trees, bushes or herbs. They prefer a sunny location, abundant watering and fertilizing with phosphorus fertilizers. In central Russia, some frost-resistant varieties can be grown in open ground, but most species require shelter for the winter with special material or spruce branches.

Perennial shrubs, such as garden hibiscus and tree hibiscus (Syrian), shed their leaves in the winter, but herbaceous species rarely retain the above-ground part, growing anew from the rhizome every spring. Major diseases are associated with errors in care and lack of nutrition. Pests are often affected by mites and aphids. Plants propagate well by seeds and cuttings.

Systematic position (belonging to a family).

Malvaceae (Russian)
Malvovi (Ukrainian)
Malvaceae (lat.)

Biological group.

An annual late spring plant.

Spreading.

Its homeland is the Mediterranean geographical region. It was discovered in Ukraine back in 1887.

Morphology.

In adult plants The stem is branched from the base, with edges in the upper part. The root is taproot, branched. The leaves are long-petiolate, deeply dissected into 3 oblong pinnate segments. The lower leaves are rounded and less dissected. The plant is covered with hairs and bristles. The flowers are solitary on long stalks. There are five petals, pale yellowish in color with a purple tint at the base. Calyx with 20 longitudinal dark purple veins, hairy-pubescent along the veins.

Fetus- multi-seeded, hairy black capsule. The seed is kidney-shaped, oval-heart-shaped, somewhat swollen on the sides, slightly compressed towards the notch. The seed hilum is elongated-oval, covered with a hook-shaped remnant of the placenta. The surface is finely warty, evenly covered with papillary hairs, or warty, matte. The color is dark gray; the papillary hairs are yellowish-gray; the remainder of the placenta is almost black. Length 2.2 - 2.5, width 1.7 - 2.2, thickness 1.2 - 1.7 mm. Table I. 5. Seed from the side.

At the shoots The cotyledons are round, broadly rounded on long petioles. Length 7 - 9, width 6 - 8 mm. The plates are bare, the petioles are covered with small protruding dense hairs. The first leaf is 12 - 16 mm long and wide, round, uneven, slightly notched on a long petiole; the second leaf has uneven denticles along the edge and at the apex; the third - with two large cutouts along the edges (three-partition). The plates below and along the edge, as well as the petioles, are covered with scattered appressed hairs. Venation in the form of three main veins, finger-like, diverging from the base of the plate, from which lateral branches extend in different directions. Hypocotyl with small hairs.

Biology.

Propagated by seeds. Shoots appear in April-May from a depth of no more than 4-6 cm. It blooms in June-August, bears fruit in July-September. Freshly ripened seeds spill out of the opening boxes and litter the soil. From the beginning of seed ripening, the plant attracts herbivorous bugs. It was necessary to note that with their appearance, seeds in open boxes and under plants could not be detected. The plant produces up to 600 seeds or more.

Economic importance.

Contaminates corn, sunflower, and soybean crops. The plant is warm and light-loving, so it is more often found in melon fields and vegetable gardens.

Control measures.

Hibiscus is not a difficult to eradicate weed. It is destroyed by timely agrotechnical methods for preparing the soil and caring for crops. Sensitive to most herbicides used on crops both in the pre-sowing period and during the growing season of crops against other most harmful weeds.

List of used literature and photographs.

1. Vereshchagin L.N. Atlas of herbaceous plants.-K.: Univest Marketing, 2002.-384p.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus) is a large genus of flowering tropical plants belonging to the Malvaceae family (in Latin Malvaceae). Representatives of the genus are popular due to the spectacular appearance of their flowers. Hibiscus is sometimes called rose mallow. The genus is represented by perennial and annual herbaceous plants, woody shrubs and small trees.

Interesting fact! The generic name comes from the Greek word ἱβίσκος (hibískos), which the ancient herbalist Dioscorides called the plant.

In America, hibiscus form huge, lushly flowering thickets in wet meadows. The plant's thirst for moisture gives it the local name "marsh mallow." And in Hawaii it is the national plant, and is called very elegantly “the flower of beautiful women.” In Brazil, there is a hibiscus diophyta with the local name “princess earrings”. Its cut petals on a long stalk really look like a fancy earring.

Hibiscus hybrid

Description

The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate, often with a serrated or lobed edge. The flowers are generally large, conspicuous, funnel-shaped, with bright corollas and five or more petals. They are located at the ends of the shoots, have a variety of colors and at least three subcalyx leaves. The palette of hibiscus flowers varies in thousands of shades and colors, including white, pink, red, orange, peach, yellow, purple, i.e. all colors and their shades with the exception of blue and black. The size of the flowers is from 5 cm to 31 cm; the color of some species, such as G. mutabilis and G. tiliaceus, changes with age.

The fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule containing several seeds in each valve, which are released when it cracks. The seeds are often fluffy, but they can also be smooth.

G. changeable (H. mutabilis)

Types and varieties

The genus Hibiscus includes about 300 species growing in regions with tropical and subtropical climates - Indonesia, Haiti, Southern China, Fiji, Java, Sumatra, Sri Lanka. Although East Asia is considered to be the birthplace of hibiscus, these plants also grow in Africa, America, Southern Europe.

In countries with moderately warm climates, they have gained popularity Syrian hibiscus(syriacus), hybrid(hybridus), trifoliate(trionum), Chinese rose(rosa-sinensis).

Breeder F. Rusanov developed many varieties of a hybrid species by artificially crossing 3 North American species: G. red(cocdneus), G. holly(militaris), G. swamp(moscheutos).

Photo gallery of species

Growing

People living in the middle zone associate hibiscus with the indoor “Chinese rose” - Mr. Chinese (rosa-sinensis). However, there are species that are grown in open ground in temperate regions of the European part of Russia. For example, to get tree hibiscus, you will have to plant a Syrian rose. It is cultivated as a shrub and standard tree. Many people grow the edible species Okra (esculentus), which will decorate your garden and the fruits will be an addition to your table.

Place and soil

Seedlings are planted in the spring, when the threat of frost has completely passed, so that they take root and grow stronger during the summer. The ideal place for planting hibiscus is a bright and sheltered area with light, fertile, well-drained soil (as for planting roses). Hibiscus generally gets along with roses and feels good in their environment.

Sparkling hibiscus (H. splendens)

Landing

For bush hibiscus, the hole is prepared much larger than the root system. It is very important to create good drainage. Therefore, we lay a layer of broken brick at the bottom, then a 10 cm layer of sand, a 12 cm layer of compost and again 10 cm of sand. Mix the soil extracted from the hole with peat and sand in proportions of 2:3:1. Place the root ball in the hole. We make sure that the root collar is located only slightly underground, and carefully pour the prepared earthen mixture into the hole.

We make a hole around the seedling for moisture, water it and, when the liquid is completely absorbed, add soil to a flat surface. It is not recommended to plant the plant in autumn. If such a need arises, then it is better to plant it in a tub and place it in a cool corner, and plant it in the garden in the spring. However, if you dare to plant hibiscus in open ground in the fall, be sure to wrap it, tie it with spruce branches and mulch the tree trunk.

Hibiscus kahilii (H. kahilii)

Care

Proper care guarantees the growth and flowering of hibiscus in one place for up to 20 years! We regularly loosen the soil near the hibiscus, destroy weeds, monitor the density of the bush, and remove faded flowers.

Top dressing

During the active phase of the growing season, which lasts from June to September, the bushes need fertilizing with phosphorus and nitrogen twice a month. In the fall we also add potash fertilizers. A hibiscus flower lives only a day before withering, and when proper care A lot of buds can form.

Watering

Regular watering of the plant is necessary, but not overwatering. Water the soil after it is completely dry. During dry periods, hibiscus needs almost daily watering.

G. swamp (N. moscheutos)

Trimming

Hibiscus is pruned for sanitary purposes, to enhance branching and to give the bush or tree a certain shape.

To get a hibiscus tree, you need to immediately shorten the branches of a young plant to two or three buds, without cutting only the trunk. In the future, at the end of each winter, we do the same pruning until the trunk grows to a certain height. After this, we form a crown from the shoots, cutting off several buds from the branch. We remove the growth from below and slightly remove the top of the trunk.

We carry out sanitary cleaning in the spring, before the sap flows. We remove old, diseased, improperly growing branches, and shorten last year's growth by a third to provoke the appearance of new flower buds.

On a note! The more radically the hibiscus shoots are pruned, the more productive the growth of young shoots will be, and therefore the more intense the flowering will be.

Hibiscus holly (N. militaris)

Wintering

The winter hardiness of the plants is slightly below average. But the roots of many species do not freeze even in severe winters at -30°C. The exception is purely tropical plant species. In late autumn, we completely cut off the dying shoots of herbaceous perennials, fill the bush with plenty of water and cover it with straw, sawdust or leaves. This will preserve the plant in case of frost without snow. It is more advisable to transplant some more heat-loving plants in areas located to the north into a large tub, after digging them up with a clod of earth and bringing them into a greenhouse or cool room for the winter.

Please note! Hibiscus is afraid of winter dampness. Preheating often causes the death of a bush.

G. linden (H. tiliaceus)

In the conditions of the middle zone, the plant often does not have time to go through the entire growing season. Therefore, you need to “deceive” him, i.e. in early spring, remove the shelter from straw, sawdust and leaves and build a greenhouse over the plant to speed up the development of shoots, and when steadily warm weather arrives, the hibiscus will already be strong enough and will be ready for further development and will definitely bloom.

Reproduction

We propagate the Syrian rose by layering, grafting, seeds, and cuttings. Herbaceous species are propagated by dividing the bush, green cuttings, and seeds.

Seeds

It is better to start growing hibiscus seeds early in January; the last date for sowing seeds is March.

• Before sowing, soak the seeds for 45 minutes in a dark solution of potassium permanganate.
• Next, we place them on a cloth soaked in a solution of Epin with water, which we place in a plastic bag.
• As soon as the seeds germinate, we plant them in separate peat pots filled with a mixture of sand and peat, cover them with polyethylene and place them in a warm place, with a temperature of 24-26°C. It is advisable to organize bottom heating for the crops (you can also sow the seeds in a container).
• If the seedlings begin to stretch out from a lack of light, you will have to organize additional lighting.
• Seedlings are planted directly into the garden soil with pots towards the end of May, when warm weather sets in. Some species can reproduce by self-seeding. The hybrid species loses the qualities of the mother plants when propagated by seeds.

Hibiscus Huegelii (H. huegelii)

Cuttings

For the purpose of vegetative propagation, in the summer, when we prune the bush to improve branching, or at the end of flowering, we prepare cuttings.

• We leave two or three internodes on each cutting, treat the bottom sections with a growth stimulator, and place them in a greenhouse with a peat substrate.
• The cuttings take root within a month, after which they are transplanted into pots with a mixture: leaf + turf soil + peat + sand in equal proportions.
• To stimulate tillering, be sure to pinch the plant.
• As soon as the bush is formed, we transplant it into place.

Remember! With proper care, cuttings of hibiscus can bloom in the first year.

Diseases and pests

Hibiscus is not often attacked by insects, but in dry times the plant can be attacked by thrips, spider mite, aphids, whiteflies. Two-time treatment with insecticides Actellik, Inta-vir, Fitoverm, Karbofos with an interval of ten days will help get rid of it.

The most common disease is chlorosis - the falling of lower leaves, while new ones grow yellowish. The main reason is a lack of nitrogen and iron.

Syrian hibiscus, or ketmia, or Syrian rose (syriacus)

Usage

Hibiscus bushes make picturesque hedges. The plant fits harmoniously into mixed border flower beds. In garden design, hibiscus is used as a tapeworm, as an additional (tub) crop, and also for decorating arches. A standard tree braided from various colors of flowers looks unusual. Hibiscus is planted in the background of flower beds, where heucheras, hostas, and geraniums are grown at the lower level.

One species, known as kenaf (H. cannabinus), is used in the paper industry. Edible Hibiscus Okra is grown as vegetable crop. The flowers of the rosella hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) are used to make the Hibiscus drink. The dried flowers of the plant are a delicacy in Mexico and are often sugared and the stems used as a garnish.