Hibiscus Fertilisers

There are so many fertilisers these days but just a couple will get you started.

I plant my plants in holes that are somewhat larger than the rootball.  I add about four litres of a good potting mix, a handful of lime and a handful of composted chook manure mixed well. A young plant started with that and watered well every two days for a fortnight does quite well. Do not fertilise at this stage as you will burn the new roots.

After about 3 weeks, I begin my fertilising regime around the young plant. There are many fertilisers available, but you need to watch for a product which is low in phosporus, P, and high in potassium, K.

A good water soluble fertiliser for the average gardener is Yates Thrive Flower and Fruit. If you have many plants I would suggest buying in bulk, something such as Campbells Special Diamond K. These fertilisers are water soluble, easily applied and great value for money. Continue your watering, twice or three times a week. In another three weeks another application of the fertiliser is applied.  Once growth is well under way, an application of fertiliser every 3-4weeks will keep your hibiscus growing and producing beautiful blooms. Hibiscus are huge feeders and will not display blooms to their potential if not regularly fertilised during the flowering season.

Of course, Osmocote could be used - but it's a lot more expensive.

Hibiscus love extra Potassium (K) and you can either apply Potash (Potassium Sulphate) as a side-dressing or use Potassium Nitrate mixed with your sprays when spraying.  You get a larger more colourful bloom that way.

They also respond to liquid fertilisers but beware.  Too high a nitrogen fertilizer will give you lush foliage at the expense of flowers.

To keep the plant healthy, you can use soil probiotics such as Seasol and Go-Go Juice. These products help provide resistance to pest and disease problems while also aiding the plant through times of heat and stress.