The Best Time and Method for Grafting Hibiscus: A Detailed Guide
Hibiscus, also known as Chinese hibiscus, Buddhist hibiscus and China rose. Its flowers are large and brightly colored, blooming in all four seasons, and it is widely grown around the world, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. Grafting is one of its important propagation methods, so when is the best time to graft hibiscus? How is grafting done? According to Uncle Li, a garden manager, hibiscus can generally be grafted in spring, summer, autumn and even late winter, but it is best to choose the time when the temperature most favorable for the variety to form callus tissue arrives, so that the time from grafting to survival can be shortened to the minimum. For hibiscus, twig grafting is generally best in late spring and early summer.
How is hibiscus grafted?
First, select a robustly growing golden-yellow hibiscus as the rootstock, and on the plant choose several one-year-old branches as rootstock branches for grafting, then cut them off at a suitable height, and afterward make a straight downward cut on one side of the cut end of the rootstock branch where there is a small amount of xylem.
Next, select plump-growing branches of scarlet hibiscus and pink hibiscus as scions, make a slanted cut on one side of the lower end of the scion, and shave off a little bark on the other side.
The trimmed scion should generally retain one or two buds, then quickly insert the scion into the cut in the rootstock branch, align the cambium, and bind it tightly with plastic tape.
How should it be managed after grafting?
After survival, appropriately prune away the excess branches of the golden-yellow hibiscus (the rootstock), so that the scarlet hibiscus and pink hibiscus can better obtain nutrients and water from the golden-yellow hibiscus plant for growth and development.
Through pruning and shaping, a very spectacular and marvelous flowering plant is formed, with flowers of diverse colors set off against green leaves; especially this double-petaled, brightly colored large-flowered hibiscus, which is even more beautiful and lovely, and delightful to people.
Main values of hibiscus
Hibiscus is a beautiful ornamental flowering plant, with large and brightly colored flowers and a long flowering period. Besides red, there are also different varieties such as pink, orange-yellow, yellow, pink-edged with a red center, and white; besides single-petaled, there are also double-petaled varieties. Potted hibiscus is one of the best flowering plants for decorating holiday parks, flower beds, hotels, meeting venues and homes.
The roots, leaves and flowers of hibiscus can all be used as medicine, with the effects of clearing heat and promoting diuresis, and detoxifying and reducing swelling. In the south, hibiscus is mostly planted beside ponds, in front of pavilions, along roads and by walls, blooming continuously with large red flowers all year round, exceptionally lively. In the Yangtze River basin and the north, it is often potted to adorn balconies or small courtyards, and under conditions of sufficient light, the ornamental period is especially long. It is also one of the main flowering potted plants displayed in public places in summer and autumn.