How to Grow Chinese Hibiscus and How to Solve Flower Drop

Chinese hibiscus, also known as Buddhist hibiscus, rose of China, Buddhist mulberry, big red flower, and red hibiscus, is a fairly well-known flower in our country. Its colors are extremely vivid, it produces a large number of blooms, and it basically blooms all year round. Chinese hibiscus has low requirements for planting and management, and is deeply loved by gardening enthusiasts. Let us take a look below at what the cultivation methods for Chinese hibiscus are and what to do about flower drop.

1. What are the cultivation methods for Chinese hibiscus?

1. Light requirements

Chinese hibiscus is a plant that greatly loves sunlight, and the stronger the light, the better, but do not let it be exposed to direct sunlight. Chinese hibiscus likes warm and humid environments; this kind of environment is more suitable for its growth. In the environment where we growers keep the flowers, sunlight must be sufficient. Chinese hibiscus is not tolerant of shade, even less tolerant of cold, and not tolerant of drought either, but its ornamental value is still very high. The flowers of Chinese hibiscus are large and vivid, and the flowering period is also very long. There are also many flower colors; besides red, there is also pink. In addition to single-petal varieties, Chinese hibiscus also has double-petal varieties.

2. Key points of fertilizing

You can give Chinese hibiscus a test once every week, at a relatively low concentration as you wish, but on the second day after fertilizing, we need to water the Chinese hibiscus. This is to better dilute the fertilizer so the plant can absorb it. When fertilizing, we should adhere to the principle of light fertilizer applied frequently: apply a small amount each time, but increase the number of fertilizer applications.

3. Key points of watering

Watering must conform to the growth habits of Chinese hibiscus. During its growth period, we must water it sufficiently and not let Chinese hibiscus remain in a water-deficient state. Water deficiency is most unfavorable to the growth of Chinese hibiscus, but we should not desperately water it either. If Chinese hibiscus is watered too much, it will suffer from waterlogging.

4. Overwintering care

Chinese hibiscus has an overwintering stage. After autumn, when the weather gradually turns cool, we need to move it indoors for cultivation, and the indoor temperature needs to be kept above 12 degrees. When the weather is cold, we should pay attention to reducing fertilization for Chinese hibiscus. In winter, we should pay attention to protecting Chinese hibiscus from the cold, because its cold resistance is very poor. As soon as the weather turns cold, it is very likely to suffer cold damage.

2. What to do about flower drop during the cultivation of Chinese hibiscus?

1. Insufficient light

If Chinese hibiscus is kept in a dark environment for a long time and cannot see much sunlight, it will first show yellowing and dropping of leaves due to lack of light. If flower buds have already formed, they will also stop developing due to lack of light, and after a long time the buds will fail to open and drop. If it goes without light for even longer, the flower buds cannot differentiate under strong light, so afterwards Chinese hibiscus will find it extremely difficult to bloom, or may even have no flowers at all.

Solving this problem is also very simple: just move the flowerpot to a place with good light.

2. Lack of fertilizer

The flowering ability of Chinese hibiscus is very good; basically every month it can produce a large number of flower buds and open a large number of flowers. Each time it produces flowers, Chinese hibiscus consumes a large amount of nutrients, so it likes fertilizer more than ordinary plants. If Chinese hibiscus absorbs insufficient fertilizer, it will affect the development of flower buds. If the buds do not get enough nutrients to maintain development, bud drop will also occur.