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Why does my hibiscus not flower?

Stephanie newish gardenerStephanie newish gardener Posts: 516
in Plants

We have two hibiscus plants, neither of which have ever flowered.  They are about 6 years old, bought as young plants from Aldi and one was put in the ground and the other was put in a pot of home made compost

The potted one grew really well and is much bigger than the one in the ground but it only ever produces leaves and not flowers

Last year I trimmed the potted one in spring in the hope of generating flowers but nothing happened so I'm wondering about cutting it back a bit harder this year but if I kill it OH will be v miffed!

It's a hibiscus blue bird and the pic was taken in Jan and it now has lots of leaf buds on it

image

No longer newish but can't think of a new name so will remain forever newish.  B) 

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,146

    They are hungry plants and need rich soil, a mulch of well rotted manure and some fish, blood and bone will do them good. However the most important thing for flowering is lots of sunshine so they need a really sunny spot. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Stephanie newish gardenerStephanie newish gardener Posts: 516

    So should I prune it a bit, or maybe quite a bit?

    We can put it somewhere sunny no problem, and I was thinking I would need to feed it since it is in a pot but wonder if the prune would help spur it into action

    Ever hopeful....

    No longer newish but can't think of a new name so will remain forever newish.  B) 

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,088

    No, don't prune.  Feed them both generously and consider putting the potted one either in a bigger pot or in the ground.   If it has to stay in a pot make sure it gets enough water but not drowned.

    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
  • PloversonPloverson Posts: 1

    It looks like your hibiscus needs lots of water. Actually hibiscus needs potassium fertilizer and sunlight. Also, check if there are insect pest. Sometimes it is one of the reason.

  • evmorrinevmorrin Posts: 1
    Hello Stephanie Newish Gardener, I have exactly the same plant from Aldi, mine has never flowered either. It's a year on since your post, have you had any flowers yet after following the advice from others? Also, have you used tomato feed, or Miracle Gro ?

  • Stephanie newish gardenerStephanie newish gardener Posts: 516
    I'm afraid other things got in the way of doing much with it, not least of which was a flood. However, I recently read an article in the telegraph that says they respond well to quite hard pruning in mid to late spring.
    I have not hard pruned it but have taken about a third off it all round and I have finally cleared the bed and planted it in the ground. It is budding into leaf quite vigorously just now so we will see what happens. To be honest I think I was a bit late pruning it and have more hopes for flowers next year. Interesting that mine isn't the only non-flowering Aldi plant. I can recommend their organic wines though, and enough of them and you don't notice it hasn't flowered!! 
    No longer newish but can't think of a new name so will remain forever newish.  B) 

  • Chloe KravenChloe Kraven Posts: 6
    Aldi may be cheap but they're not the best - I would avoid in future and spend a few pennies more from your local nursery   :) 
  • Stephanie newish gardenerStephanie newish gardener Posts: 516
    To be honest this is the first thing to have failed from Aldi, and that might partly be due to my northerly location. I have a productive blackcurrant and gooseberry bush, both from Aldi, plus two nice acers. They are cheap but equally they can't afford the reputational risk of items not being suitable, whether that's plants, clothing or food 
    No longer newish but can't think of a new name so will remain forever newish.  B) 

  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Are those Hibiscus syriacus or Hibiscus rosa-sinensis? The first is a garden plant,  the second an indoors one.
  • Stephanie newish gardenerStephanie newish gardener Posts: 516
    Definitely outdoors 
    No longer newish but can't think of a new name so will remain forever newish.  B) 

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