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Annuals/hybiscus

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Expert: - 11/28/2006


Question
I live in TX on the Gulf Coast, just south of Houston. Is it too early to cut my hybiscus plants back or should I wait? They are full of blooms but are close to getting out of hand.

Answer
Shay,
It's still a bit early to cut them back.  Pruning always stimulates growth, because a plant wants to replace  what it's lost, but at this time of year, when there is less sunlight, most plants are not actively growing. Enjoy those Hibiscus flowers now and plan to cut the plants back in late January or early February when the days are starting to get longer.  You can fertilize with an organic fertilizer at this time as well.

I hope this helps,
C.L. Fornari

Annuals

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C.L. Fornari

Expertise

Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

Experience

I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

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