Expert: C.L. Fornari - 6/4/2006

Question
Hello. I would like to know if you have tried the Annual Hibiscus. I do not know the name as they {Vessey`s} did not give the specific name. I grew it in my greenhouse and it did very well. I would imagine that it could reseed itself as it has many seed pods. My question is this! Do you think it would reflower if i cut it back? Thanks for your help. I live in an area half way between Kingston,Ontario and Brockville, Ontario.

THANKS AGAIN

P. Hughson
Hummingbird Gardens
 Greenhouse

Answer
It's hard to imagine a grower (is Vessey's a grower?  Retailer?) who wouldn't give you the botanic name of a plant!  There are several Hibiscus that are grown as annuals, depending on which part of the country you live in.  Are the flowers creamy white with a dark, purplish throat? This would be H. trionum.  Reddish foliage and not many purple-red flowers?  That's H. acetosella.  Then there are the "tropical hibiscus" with the large, showy flowers in a range of colors...a woody shrub in hot areas, but an "annual" in the northern regions.

The first one - with the creamy flowers - self-seeds and is usually grown from seed.  The reddish foliage can be grown from seeds or cuttings.  The tropical, woody plants are usually grown from cuttings.

And there are many many more I haven't touched on (over 200 species of Hibiscus!! Yikes!)  but bottom line is you have nothing to lose by cutting it back and giving it a liquid feed.  I'd cut 1/2 of the total plant off, water it well (never fertilize a thirsty plant) and then after a couple of hours give it whatever liquid fertilizer you have on hand.  (mix according to directions)

I hope this helps!
C.L.