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About Tom Alonzo
Expertise
I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.

Experience
I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.

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Perennials - Moving Hibiscus plants indoors when weather becomes cold

Expert: Tom Alonzo - 10/24/2009

Question
I have several Hibiscus plants on my deck. I want to move them into my basement for the winter. I plan to locate them under a florescent light but need to know how to prune & treat them for insects, & diseases that may effect them while in my basement area before I bring them in.

Answer
Hi Mike,
Thanx for your question. You can treat your hibiscus with a horticultural soap which should remove most pests that may be harbored on them. I would also treat the soil for white flies. Pyrethrum and Neem sprays applied to the surface of the soil and undersides of the plant will reduce or eliminate whiteflies. Prune lightly just to maintain the shape and order of the plant. Pruning too severely will adversely affect the plant's blooming next year unless you're okay with that. I hope this helps.
Tom

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