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jessetx

Why is my hibiscus doing this?

jessetx
16 years ago

In March I bought two Hibiscus and planted them both within five feet of each other in the garden out back. For the first two months they both did very well and grew big, beautiful flowers.

Then, suddenly, one of them lost most of its leaves when the other was still doing great. I thought it was doing to die but instead for several months now it has just remained unchanged. It doesn't die - it just sits there with only a few little green leaves! Meanwhile the other one is growing and getting bushier as expected.

The "no leaves" Hibiscus even has the occasional flower. It just looks so pathetic though.

Could anybody tell me what I might do to help my ailing little plant? They are both exposed to identical rain, sunlight, and soil conditions. I just can't imagine what I need to do.

Here's a photo of the good one:

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And the bad one:

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Comments (2)

  • bryan_la
    16 years ago

    I have a similar problem. I bought three of the Hibiscus trees from a local home center. Two of the three or really thriving and getting tall. The third is producing plenty of flowers but is not as full as the others and hasn't grown any taller. The only difference in conditions is the small one gets full sun. Any ideas?

  • jessetx
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    I got this answer on another forum and will be trying it out, just FYI:

    "I suggest you dig the hibiscus up and check the roots to see if they had become pot bound before you planted it, if they have the whole thing will come up basically in the same pot shape it was when you planted it. If a plant, especially one that grows large, stays in a pot too long the roots start wrapping round and round themselves since they have no place else to go, it's called girdling. If they look like they haven't done any spreading out, then start pulling them apart some before replanting."

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