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Hibiscus dormancy

Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452
in Talkback
Hi people, Can someone advise me, please. I ordered a Hibiscus Blue Bird from a mail order company and it was delivered quickly but has arrived with just a couple of inch long leaves at the top of some 18" stems. I have contacted the company and been told that they are already dormant at this time of year and to plant it anyway. This seems strange as the one I bought at a garden centre the next day is the same size but full of big green healthy leaves and some remaining flowers and buds. Am I right to be asking for a refund on the sad unhealthy looking thing that I have been sent? I'll put a picture on in a minute.

Posts

  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452
    http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p501/Lyrad14/f8cab8261851cc19f4678aef5fb3bbbf_zps7a45a930.jpg

  • FleurisaFleurisa Posts: 779

    It could be that they have been stored somewhere cool prior to shipping to force dormancy on it.

  • MuddyForkMuddyFork Posts: 435

    My Hibiscus has already lost its leaves.  I'd plant it out but also send the supplier an email stating that if it fails to come into leaf next year you will want a replacement.  They do take ages to start to get leaves, mine doesn't show any growth until mid May and I'm in the warm south.

  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452
    Thanks, that's a bit re-assuring. It's so hard to know whether to stand your ground when asking for a refund but maybe in this circumstance I will plant it out and see how it goes next year. They did say that they would make a note in their system and for me to get in touch next year if it fails to grow.



    MF I'm really surprised that yours doesn't leaf out until May - that's more than half the year with no leaves! I live in the sunny south too so hopefully it will be OK.



    Now I have two and only planned a planting space for one. I'll have to look around the garden for another place to put the second one. I'll try and find a similar spot so I can compare the progress of the two of them next year.



    Thanks again for your replies
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    I bought 2 identical ones and kept them in identical conditions.  One of them didn't produce leaves until a whole month after the other one.  Both have now shed most of their leaves except for a few at the top.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452
    Thank you for the further reassurance image Maybe it's not as bad as I thought.
  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452
    Well, I managed to get them planted today. It was very windy but sunny and quite warm at the same time. I found enough space to plant them both a few feet away from each other so they will get the same growing conditions. It will be interesting to see how they develop over the next 12 months.



    This is the online purchase - about 30-40 cm high. Not a good picture as there is some dead material behind it. The hibiscus is just the three pronged fork shaped bit in the middle of the picture

    http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p501/Lyrad14/0bc6c83a27209d574f0db7cabfbb6d85_zps27cbfd00.jpg





    And this is the cheaper one from a local garden centre. Also 30-40cm high.

    http://i1153.photobucket.com/albums/p501/Lyrad14/405a885029c0b1a26022558f135ea8c5_zps68292112.jpg





    Watch this space!
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,444

    You might find the one with no leaves and the brown hardened wood will do better.

    The second one looks a bit green and soft for this end of the year



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Daryl2Daryl2 Posts: 452
    OK. I'm looking forward to finding out. I will certainly have learnt something new image



    If I remember I will post again in the Spring / early Summer when they start to leaf out again. Thanks for all your advice and re-assurance everyone.
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