How to grow Chinese hibiscus? Latest care tips shared

The Chinese hibiscus is what we often call zhujin (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). It has one characteristic: it can bloom continuously without interruption. As long as the plant is robust enough and the root system is developed enough, under proper care it can bloom uninterrupted 365 days a year.

First, if we want the Chinese hibiscus to grow well and bloom for a long time, we must give it sufficient light. The Chinese hibiscus is a plant that loves light very much and must have full sun. If light is insufficient, the branches will grow leggy and won't bloom. Another thing is to give it good soil. The Chinese hibiscus is not strict about soil requirements.

But if we want it to grow well, not have yellowing leaves, and bloom continuously, we must prepare a loose, breathable, slightly acidic soil that contains nutrients. Xiao Qi generally uses river sand, fermented pine needle soil, and nutrient soil mixed in a 1:1 ratio of the three. Pine needle soil contains acidity, nutrient soil supplements nutrients, and river sand can increase the soil's water permeability. On the premise of well-prepared soil, the watering principle is: when the surface of the potting soil is dry, water it thoroughly in time.

Another thing is reasonable fertilizing. We know that as long as the temperature is high and can be kept above 15°C, the Chinese hibiscus will grow continuously and bloom continuously, so we must keep up with fertilizing. How to choose fertilizer for it? When mixing the soil, we can add some base fertilizer to the potting soil. Choosing fermented sheep manure or cow manure is fine, and we can also add some granular slow-release fertilizer.

Using a multi-element one is fine. Normally, about every half a year, sprinkle some multi-element slow-release fertilizer on the surface of the potting soil. Once a month, as long as the temperature is suitable and it is growing normally, give it 2~3 applications of fertilizer with a high phosphorus and potassium content. With high phosphorus and potassium content and other elements also included, this way it gets enough phosphorus and potassium and won't lack other elements, so there won't be yellow leaves, there won't be stunted seedlings, and it will grow continuously and keep producing flower buds to bloom.

There is also reasonable pruning. How to prune the Chinese hibiscus? If you don't prune the Chinese hibiscus, its ability to branch out side branches is very, very weak, and it will keep growing upward on a single branch. So when we see the branches of the Chinese hibiscus growing relatively long, cut them back in time. After cutting back, it will grow side buds again from the aged branches.

After the side buds grow out, they will then produce flower buds and bloom. So on the premise of ensuring the Chinese hibiscus's plant shape looks good, after it finishes blooming and the branches grow long, cut them back in time and prune them down to the woody part. This way the new buds that come out can bloom. With continuous pruning and continuous production of side buds, when there are many side buds, there will be more flowers.

The Chinese hibiscus is not difficult to grow, a typical lazy-person flower, a typical variety that blooms frequently. As long as the temperature is kept above 15°C, it gets sufficient light, has well-prepared soil, is not lacking water, is not lacking fertilizer, and has a certain amount of ventilation, the Chinese hibiscus you grow will bloom continuously 365 days throughout the year, and the more it blooms, the more it fills the pot.