How to grow Hibiscus mutabilis? A detailed guide to Hibiscus mutabilis cultivation techniques

Hibiscus mutabilis has a relatively long flowering period, many varieties, and rather brilliant flower colors. It is an excellent flowering tree species, and its flower color even changes over time, giving it great ornamental value. Next, let us take a look at how Hibiscus mutabilis should be cultivated.

I. Cultivation techniques for Hibiscus mutabilis

1. The biological characteristics of Hibiscus mutabilis are that it prefers a sunny, warm and humid climate, and is not tolerant of drought. It is suitable for planting in well-drained sandy loam.

2. Cultivation techniques for Hibiscus mutabilis: propagate by cuttings, division, and sowing. In production, cutting propagation is mostly used: in warm climate regions, from February to March, cut cuttings directly from the mother plant and insert them immediately after cutting. In regions with cold winter climates, cut branches from September to October, store them in a cellar, take them out from March to April the following year, cut them into 17-20 cm cuttings, and insert them directly into planting holes, 2 per hole, with 3-4 cm exposed above the ground, water thoroughly, cover with withered grass and rotten leaves, and after they survive, keep 1 seedling per hole. Division propagation: before spring sprouting, dig up the clumps, divide the suckers, and transplant with roots. Sowing propagation: pick mature fruits from November to December, dry them in the sun, thresh and store dry, then sow and raise seedlings from March to April the following year, open shallow furrows at a row spacing of 20-25 cm, sow the seeds evenly in the furrows, cover thinly with fine soil, then cover with grass, and seedlings emerge in about 15 days. When the seedlings are about 7 cm tall, thin them; when they are 16-17 cm tall, set the final spacing at 10-12 cm between plants. After 1 year of seedling raising, they can be lifted from the nursery and planted out.

3. Field management of Hibiscus mutabilis: after the plants propagated by cuttings and division are planted, cultivate and weed once each in summer and winter every year, properly earth up in winter, and apply topdressing 2-3 times in combination with cultivation. In spring and summer, apply mainly human and livestock manure water or chemical fertilizers; in autumn and winter after harvesting the flowers, open holes or ring-shaped trenches beside the plants and apply compost, barnyard manure, or garbage fertilizer.

II. Cultivation methods and precautions for Hibiscus mutabilis

1. Temperature

Hibiscus mutabilis likes a warm, humid, and sunny environment, is slightly tolerant of semi-shade, and has a certain degree of cold tolerance. In winter, move it indoors to overwinter, maintaining a temperature of 0-10°C to ensure its dormancy.

2. Soil

It has no strict requirements for soil, but grows best in fertile, moist, well-drained sandy soil. It can be planted in a sunny spot in the courtyard or beside a pond.

3. Water and fertilizer management

Usually management is relatively extensive. Pay attention to watering during drought. Every winter or spring, open trenches around the plant and apply some decomposed organic fertilizer, and water and cover the soil promptly after fertilizing. In cold regions, some tender branches of plants grown in the ground will freeze to death in winter; there is no need to worry about it, as new branches will emerge after the temperature warms up in spring.

III. Pest and disease control of Hibiscus mutabilis

Scale insects

Spray 1-2 times with 80% dichlorvos emulsifiable concentrate at 500-900 times dilution or 50% fenitrothion emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution.

Aphids

Use dimethoate or omethoate at 1000-1500 times dilution or 2.5% derris extract at 1000-1500 times dilution, spraying once every 7-10 days, 2-3 times is sufficient.

Red spider mites

Use 20% tetradifon at 800 times dilution or dicofol emulsion at 2000 times dilution, spraying once every 7-10 days, 2-3 times is sufficient.

Hibiscus mutabilis powdery mildew

It mainly harms the leaves. When severe, it can cause the plant to weaken and the leaves to turn yellow and wither early. In the early stage, multiple small spots appear on the upper surface of the leaves, then the small spots merge into large powdery white spots without obvious edges, and in late autumn dark brown small particles are produced at the powdery spots.

Control methods: remove diseased plants and burn them in late autumn; in the early stage of the disease, spray with 25% triadimefon at 2000 times dilution, or 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 1500 times dilution.

Besides being planted outdoors, Hibiscus mutabilis can also be grown in pots. A reminder here: when growing Hibiscus mutabilis in pots, choose a relatively large porcelain pot, and the potting soil must ensure drainage and fertility and provide sufficient water. Potted Hibiscus mutabilis can be cultivated in a greenhouse and has greater economic value.