Hibiscus schizopetalus grow and care – shrub of the genus Hibiscus also known as Coral hibiscus plant, Japanese lantern or Spider hibiscus, Hibiscus schizopetalus perennial evergreen plant and used as ornamental hedge plant, can grow in tropic, mediterranean or subtropical climate and growing in hardiness zone 10b+ and with the right overwinter care in hardiness zone 10a.
Leaves green in oval shape some cultivars secreted in the edge
Hibiscus schizopetalus flowers
Flower color can be: red rarely pink, flowers with five petals the petals deeply lobed and create ball shape, the size of the flower 4-7 cm, the style very showy and long can 4-10 cm
Hibiscus schizopetalus for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy
How to grow Hibiscus schizopetalus growing and care:
More than -2C (29F), rich soil, organic material, mulch to keep the moist
How to care: Add fertilize at least once, put mulch to keep the soil moist, organic matter and humus, prune once a year
What is the best way to start growing? Plant / Seed / Vegetative Reproduction – cutting
How to propagate by cutting: Propagating by cutting better to start in the early spring or with temperature of 20-26C (68-79F)and better before the plant start to grow after the dormant, better to choose stems that not going to bloom, requirements: moist soil, high humidity, peat soil, hormone for root growth, highly recommend to use green house (or small plastic box with holes) it will take few weeks.
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? No, but with cutting ensure the color of the flower and the size of the plants, not hard to start by seeds
Difficulties or problems when growing: Might be invasive in the tropical
Recommended planting season? Spring in hardiness zone 10a, spring to summer in hardiness zone 10b, spring to autumn in hardiness zone 11, all year in hardiness zone 12+
How to plant: Dig hole bigger 50% more than the roots ball, add to the hole, organic matter, dead leaves and hummus put back some soil and mix it, after this put the cover lightly but strong enough that won’t fall put support for the plant if needed, if the plant is not stable consider to prune, water it twice in the first day and every day for two weeks put water more than the regular, better to add the fertilizer after the plant establish.
Pests and diseases: Aphids, mealy bugs, mites
Pruning season: Autumn / Winter
How to prune: Weak branches, dead flower and leaves
Size of the plant? 1-3 m, 3-10 feet
Growth speed in optimal condition: Fast growing
Water requirement: Average amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in pots, planter, flowerpot or containers: Yes, when growing in pot need 50% bigger than the roots ball, every time that switch the container to bigger switch some of the soil to new soil until arrive to the desirable container size, after that every few years better to switch part of the soil and cut some roots, no need to take the plant out just from the side of the container, can grow in container of 10-20L (2-4 gallons) and can grow in bigger, soil can be potting soil, mixture of peat soil and perlite or other light mixed soil, water it regularly and care when put bottom for the pot be aware not to let the water stay there too many days, need to add humus, organic matter, fertilizer and mulch to cover the soil to keep it moist.
Blooming information
Bloom season: Spring / Summer / Autumn
General information about the flower: Five petals the petals deeply lobed and create ball shape, the size of the flower 4-7 cm, flower color can be: red rarely pink, style very showy and long can 4-10 cm
Pollination is done by: Bees, flies
How to grow Hibiscus schizopetalus from seeds
Sowing requirement: Moist soil, 20-26C (68-80F), humidity, full sun or half sun (if there are heat wave in the spring)
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry and dark location
Sowing season: Spring / Summer / Autumn (more important the temperature) and in location with cold winter better not in the autumn
How to plant: Plant in soil that stay moist and don’t let the soil dry
Planting spacing: 3*5cm to transplant and better not to transplant it before 5 leaves, direct it’s depend 1*1m (40*40)
Depth of Sowing: 0.5-1cm (0.25-0.5 inch) but cover lightly and don’t push
Conditions for seeds germinate: Full sun, moist soil
Watering requires for Seeds: Average amount of water / Big amount of water
Germination time: 14-25 days
Condition of seedling: After five leaves possible to add fertilizer and to put mulch
