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Indoor hibiscus pruning

green fingered finchgreen fingered finch Posts: 278
in Problem solving
Hi,
I have an indoor hibiscus that has done ok for the past 8 years or so... but its become really leggy now (see pic). Can I prune it? If so how and when is the best time? 

Thanks in advance  :) 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    I have one of these and it can grow like the clappers.  I regularly pinch out the tips to keep it bushy and encourage more flowers.   Every now and again I cut it back and when we moved here 2 years ago I cut it back hard to reduce size for the move.

    Use clean, sharp secateurs and cut each stem back to just above a pair of leaves.   Feed it with something for flwoering house plants and make sure it isn't thirsty.   It will grow back quite quickly and then you can maintain or encourage bushiness by pinching shoot tips.

    If you cut the tips of the long shots back to about 4"/10cms and remove the big leaves at the tip you can put them in a glass of water and stand it somewhere bright but out of direct sun and keep the water fresh and you will get rooted cuttings in time.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • green fingered finchgreen fingered finch Posts: 278
    That's brilliant, really helpful, thank you Obelixx  :)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Hope it works.   Mine has just come in from its summer hols on the terrace and has dozens of flowers and buds and a second baby growing roots.   Earlier baby is now potted and trying to flower but I've pinched out the bud.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
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