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Hi, I have two Hibiscus plants in pots but they are looking worse for wear please see pics any advic

UptomeneckUptomeneck Posts: 58
in Plants

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  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    They do look rather sad! They do best planted in the ground but if you have no choice, much bigger pots. I would use a mix of JI3 and topsoil, perhaps a little grit if needed.
  • UptomeneckUptomeneck Posts: 58
    Thank you sorry to be a bit thick but does JI3 mean John Innis 3 ?
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Yes, sorry.  You are not thick, I was lazy!
  • UptomeneckUptomeneck Posts: 58
    Thank you I will give it a try and see how they go is it ok to do this now or wait til later 
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    You can pot up any time. Can they not go in the ground?
  • UptomeneckUptomeneck Posts: 58
    Should I do it now or leave until flowering has finished ?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Do it now.  Water the pots well so it's easier to get the root ball out intact.

    Have a pot twice the size ready with crocks in the bottom  and good John Innes no 3 loam based compost tho you can add up to 20% multi-purpose compost (MPC) to help with moisture retention.    Tease the roots out at the edges of the root ball so they are encouraged to seek outwards for nutrients and moisture.   Plant at the same level as before so you don't bury any trunk or expose roots.

    Put the pots in their final position and water well.   Keep them watered regularly, especially in hot spells.

    As mentioned above they are better off in the ground but if you must have them in pots you need to give them a generous dollop of slow release fertiliser for roses or tomatoes every spring and a weekly liquid feed with tomato food or comfrey tea from spring to end of July as the nutrients in the compost will be used up in just 90 days.  Do not feed later than July as this will encourage soft growth that won't have time to ripen and harden before the frosts.
    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
  • UptomeneckUptomeneck Posts: 58
    Nono not enough space so have to go in pots unfortunately
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Bigger pots then and proper compost and feeding regime.
    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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