Information on Hibiscus |
Scientific Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Common Name : Bunga Raya, Shoe Flower
Family : Malvaceae
Place of Origin : China
Propagation :Cutting, Grafting |
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Plant Characteristics |
Type :Flowering shrub
Form:Bushy
Texture:Middle coarse
Maximum Height: 2m-3m
Flowering Location:Terminal
Colours of Flower:Red, Pink. White, Yellow, Orange and Hybrid Colours |
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How to Plant? |
| Hibiscus is a common tree and easy to propagate. It is suitable for growing in hot and humid climate such as Malaysia's and it is easily planted by just using cutting method. |
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Planting in the Pot |
1) Choose a healthy plant specimen free from infection and pests.
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2) Prepare a soil mix with the ratio 3:2:1 (top soil : organic matters : sand)
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3)Cover the pot's drain holes with pebbles allowing water to freely drain.
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4) Fill the pot with 3/4 of the soil mix.
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5)Cut the polybag and remove the plant with care without destroying the rootball.
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| 6)Place the plant in the middle of the pot and fill the remaining soil in the pot. Gently compress the soil to ensure the plant is stable. |
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Planting on the Ground |
1) Planting distance between 0.5m-1.5m
2) Planting hole between 0.3m x 0.5m
3) Planting technique same as planting in pot.
4) Staking is required for plant with the height more than 1 meter for support purposes.
5)Mulching is required surrounding the base of the plant to maintain the moisture of the soil. |
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Watering Requirement |
1)For newly planted trees, watering twice a day in the morning and evening is essential.
2)Watering frequency can be reduced to once a day once the tree is matured. |
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Weed Control and Soil Improvement |
1)Weeding is required to reduce competition for fertilizer, water and sunlight. It also reduces the risk of infection. Weeding needs to be carried out frequently.
2)Soil improvement is essential to loosen the soil particle to improve the air circulation. |
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Fertilizing |
1) Rate and frequency of administering fertizer depends on the plant's growth stage.
2)For the early stage of plant growth (1-5 months), the suitable fertiliser is Green NPK (15:15:15) with the amount of 25-50 gm each tree each month.
3) After 6 months, to encourage flowering, fertiliser zuch as 12:12:17:2 with the amount of 25-50g is needed for each tree each month. |
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Pruning |
1)The purpose of pruning is to obtain the desired shape and to remove the dead or infected branches.
2) Due to hibiscus' terminal flowering characteristic, you may well lose potential buds from pruning.
3)Therefore prune only to your desired shape.
So as to ensure ample and sustained flowering, do not prune excessively and prune only when necessary.
Heavy pruning is only recommended for topiary sculpture where dense flowering is not required. |
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Pest Control |
1)In general, hibiscus is resilient from pest and disease infection.
2)Among the pests commonly found are aphids and mealybug where the pests feed on the branches and leaves. The pests also cause the flower buds to drop.
3)The best way to control is to use pesticide recommended by professional or plant nursery. |
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