What to do when Chinese hibiscus drops its flower buds? What are the key points for growing it in pots?

The Chinese hibiscus is an ornamental flower with a wide range of colors and relatively large blooms, commonly seen in gardens and courtyards, where it serves as an excellent decorative feature. During the cultivation of Chinese hibiscus, the phenomenon of flower bud drop often occurs, so what should be done about it? For potted plants, what key growing points must be mastered?

1. What to do when the Chinese hibiscus drops its flower buds?

1. Fertilizing

The Chinese hibiscus has a considerable demand for fertilizer. Because it blooms year-round, it needs the support of nutrients. If nutrients are insufficient for a long time, its flower buds are very likely to drop.

Solution: Fertilize once every half month. Each time, the fertilizer must not be too concentrated. With sufficient fertilizer supply, the Chinese hibiscus can bloom more fully and brilliantly, and its leaves will also be more emerald green.

2. Watering

The soil for growing Chinese hibiscus must be kept in a moist state at all times. Even by the time of the next watering, the soil should still be slightly moist. Never wait until the soil has become somewhat dry before watering, and at the same time, waterlogging or standing water must not occur. The above situations will not only cause its flower buds to drop, but also cause its leaves to turn yellow over a large area and fall off.

Solution: When watering, you can record the cycle, that is, how many days it takes from the start of watering to the next watering, and when the soil begins to become drier and drier, etc. However, this must be recorded once for each season, so as to avoid watering too many times or; when watering, also pay attention to how much water is needed to water thoroughly at one time, so as to avoid the occurrence of standing water or waterlogging.

3. Pests

If the Chinese hibiscus has red spider mites, it will also drop flower buds. After applying pesticide, the flowers will also take a long time to bloom. Usually, more attention should be paid to pest prevention.

4. Light

The Chinese hibiscus naturally likes sunlight. If it is placed in a place without sunlight for a long time, its flower buds are very likely to drop, and it will also affect the plant's growth.

Solution: As far as possible, choose a place where sunlight can shine in directly to place the Chinese hibiscus. The Chinese hibiscus grows best between 20°C and 35°C, and it also needs a well-ventilated environment. Add the previous three points, and you will grow a very beautiful Chinese hibiscus.

2. What are the key points for potted Chinese hibiscus?

Because the Chinese hibiscus is a sun-loving flower, in summer it can be given full sunlight. Insufficient light easily causes flower buds to fall off, the flowers to become smaller, and the flower color to become dull. Since the Chinese hibiscus often produces many buds, in addition to sufficient sunlight it also needs plenty of water and fertilizer. During the peak flowering period in summer, depending on the temperature and the wetness or dryness of the potting soil, it can be watered 1-2 times a day, but it should be watered thoroughly only after the soil has dried, to prevent root rot caused by high temperature and standing water. Watering is best done before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m., to minimize the temperature difference between the air temperature and the water temperature.

At home, you can first put the water in a basin and let it sun for 2-3 hours before watering the flowers. At noon, you can spray water on the leaves and around the flowerpot to lower the leaf surface temperature and maintain air humidity. The flowers of the Chinese hibiscus are very delicate, and water must not be sprayed directly on the flowers, otherwise it can very easily cause the flowers to be scorched. For fertilizing, use a compound fertilizer that is well absorbed and quick-acting. Every 7-10 days, spray the leaves once with 0.2% monopotassium phosphate to promote emerald green leaves and the development of more flower buds.

In summer, also pay attention to timely pruning, and continue to remove excess sprouts, so that each flowering branch has a reasonable space for growth. Summer and autumn are seasons when pests and diseases are very likely to occur. Every 10-15 days, spray a mixture of 10% chongchujing 000 times and 70% thiophanate-methyl 2000 times, which can both prevent disease and prevent pests.

During the summer flowering period of the Chinese hibiscus, bud drop easily occurs. From a physiological point of view, this is a manifestation of the plant body's own self-regulation function. Growers should try their best to create a growing environment with full sun, about 70% air humidity, and a temperature of 25°C-28°C during the day and about 15°C at night, to reduce the occurrence of bud drop.

The Chinese hibiscus is not cold-tolerant, so whether it can safely overwinter is key. Generally, when the temperature drops to about 15°C, potted Chinese hibiscus should be moved indoors, placed in a ventilated and sunny spot, and exposed to as much light as possible. Otherwise, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off. However, note that the temperature should also not exceed 20°C. Too high a temperature will cause the branches and leaves to grow excessively, which likewise makes overwintering difficult.

In winter, the potting soil should maintain a relative humidity of 30%, and it must not be watered heavily. In winter, fertilizing is generally not needed; if fertilizing at all, only apply a small amount of liquid fertilizer. In the cold winter, you can cover the Chinese hibiscus with a plastic bag and poke a few small holes in the plastic bag for breathing, so that it can safely overwinter under relatively warm conditions.