HIBISCUS (Tree Mallow) Shrub

Do you fertilize this plant? What color are the buds?

Hi
Yes i fertilize the plant and have been using pelleted chicken manure and home made compost in the spring.

In an attempt to get the buds to open I have for the first time this year used rose fertilizer.

The colour of the buds are a purple colour when i open them up and there are lots of buds all over the shrub.

Hibiscus is a tropical plant, grows readily in Florida. It is therefore accustomed to 12-14 hours of light per day to open blooms. The most common reason for blooms to not open is lack of water - the plant conserves water for the leaves, forfeits water for blooms. It is also accustomed to a humid environment. A common pest is Thrips - open a bud and shake it over a sheet of white paper. If tiny black specs shake out, your buds are infested with a bug which feeds on the interior (soft and moist) part of the bud. You would need to consult a local expert for treatment of Thrips in your part of the world - good luck!

I grow about 20 different hibiscus but only three in the garden. The garden plants have only recently burst in to leaf (I'm in Devon) the remainder are flowering frequently - your plants are most likely too cold where they are.

Hi you say you have 17 Hibiscus in side. I take it from this they are in 18ins plus pots in a greenhouse what soil do you keep them in ?