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rainbowlemondrop

Beginner Help - Hibiscus Leaf Shape Change?

rainbowlemondrop
13 years ago

Hello everyone,

I have a none-too-special tropical pink hibiscus. She is an indoor-only plant and I live in zone 5. Her leaves are like a fat teardrop shape (sorry for my lack of technical language) similar to this image: http://images.flowers.vg/1024x768/hibiscus-leaf.jpg

My predicament began when I transported her outside during February in Canada...bad idea. Needless to say, she went into shock, lost all her leaves, was near death, but I nursed her back and now she has a lot of new growth!

However, since she has started to regrow, the shape of her leaves have changed. From its original shape, the leaves have now changed into the shape of leaves found on Rose of Sharon plants... is this normal? Can anyone explain this?

Many thanks in advnce

Comments (4)

  • jroot
    13 years ago

    When it grows new leaves, it will form leaves that accommodate the change in light. When you put her out again this summer, she will drop most of these "winter" leaves, and go back to her original size. I can't fathom a change of form of leaf, only the size of leaf. It would be interesting if you could post a photo of what the "new leaf" looks like.

  • marccc
    13 years ago

    Did you ever learn anything, about the change,IN THE SHAPE,of the leaf form ?

    Mine shows this same experience,after,I pruned it well,and brought it inside,for the winter.

    Does this possibly indicate a change in the sex of the plant?
    Or do these "changed leaves" show effect, in it's abilty to flower?

    Because it has no blooms,to date,(first days of summer).

    And,the"changed leaves",have not reverted back to original tear drop shape,or dropped, as I had hoped.
    With the change in season, returned it outside,remaining potted...
    and incresed fertilizer applications ...
    Changed leaves are healthy and numerous.

    Any info much appreciated

  • dpaintman_hotmail_com
    12 years ago

    Hi ,
    I too have a Hibiscus that is about ten years old and have trained it into a "tree" bush meaning the main stalk is about 5 ft tall and then the top is bushy. But I pruned it 2 winters ago and the shape of the leaves have changed from single fat teardrop shape to a 3 lobe shape and has since not produced any blooms. I am completely baffled.

  • dirtygardener73
    12 years ago

    Hibiscus don't react well to stress. They show all signs of stress in the leaves, by dropping them or their changing shape. From what I have read, their DNA is not very stable. I had a tropical once that had red double flowers, regular teardrop shaped leaves. After a freeze, it came back out with tri-lobed leaves and single flowers.

    Especially with the hybrids, there is a tendency to revert to one of the original parent's characteristics after a severe stressing event.

    Plus, there is always the possibility that if it was a grafted hibiscus, it froze or was cut back to the original rootstock.

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