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First, let me suggest that you leave the hibiscus plant in the container you received it in for about a month while you figure out where to start your plant bed. Place the plant in filtered sunlight and try to water it daily and fertilize it weekly with a water soluable fertilizer. In locating your hibiscus bed, keep in mind that hibiscus need full sun and just like roses, they prefer to be planted in a bed rather than a hedge. If you cannot find more hibiscus at your local plant nursery, check with WalMart or other chains that carry plants-- they generally have good varieties of doubles and the newer singles that you can put in your bed until you locate hybrid plants. Preparing to Plant To prepare to plant your bushes, you will need some potting soil, perlite and millorganite. In a bucket, mix one part perlite to three parts potting soil and throw a handfull of millorganite. Dig a hole twice the size of the container the plant is in. Place some of the mixed potting soil into the hole and then water the hole. Be sure the depth of the hole will be the same as the depth of the container. Water the hole so it is soaked. To remove the plant from the container, hold the plant in one hand and gently tap the the sides of the pot (you can use a shovel or hammer) while holding the pot still. Then, twist the conainer and the plant should slide out. When the plant comes out, check the root ball (the bottom of the plant where the roots are). If any of the roots are intertwined with each other, slice apart the root ball in two or three places, so it is not one large ball. Put the plant into the hole. Be sure the plant is no deeper in the hole than it was in the container-- and shovel into the hole the mixed potting soil and water the hole again until it is soaked. Spread the mulch over the finished product. This will help the plant retain its moisture. Author's note: Plants should be at least four feet apart from each other. Ongoing Care The frequency of blooms in your hibiscus bed depends upon the amount of TLC the plants receive. To ensure your plants are getting what they need, get some 6-6-6 from Home Depot-- throw in some Milorganite and sprinkle two handfulls around each plant every month and then immediately water the plant. Folier spraying is also very good. You can obtain a fertilizer bottle of Miracle Grow that attaches to a hose and use this on a regular basis. Mix in a few table spoons of Murphys Oil Soap and spray it on your plants. This will discourage sucking insects from infecting your plants but will not harm the plants. There is also a number of insecticide "dusts" that are available and will help control insects. Author's note: If you have any problems or questions about insects on your plants, contact your county agriculture agent for help. Prune your bushes as you feel they need it to conform with the adjoining plants. Generally speaking, you can prune any time in Florida, keeping in mind that plants grow more in the summer months and can be pruned more often. If over time your plants do not fill out and become taller and fuller, pinch off the center of the stem where the new growth is. This will cause new growth to start below the end of the stem. And remember, keep your eye out for new grafted plants to replace the ungrafted plants.
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