Rosey,
I am only about two years into raising hibiscus here in Virginia, but I believe that is correct. By the way,
if you have a lot of cuttings, I would like to trade some varieties of streptocarpus or AVs. Also, I have a number of hibiscus that I could trade cuttings of:PINK CHIFFON, JAMIE LABELL, JAMILOU, RAINBOW CHRISTY, ERIN RACHAEL, GEORGIA'S PEARL.Does your mother have any special suggestions for rooting the cuttings? PLMK

Gloria Gerritz
110 Carbe Ct
Richmond, VA 23236

Sorry.. wrong. Hibiscus are generally easy to root. And easy to root plants sometimes root in water. But having said that... water is never the best way to root anything, it's only the easiest for some people.

Cut semi hardwood shoots, 4 to 6 inches, partially defoliate, dip in IBA talc or solution, and stick in perlite peat mix, keep in humid environment, most root in 30 days or so.

Fall is not the best time for hibiscus cuttings in my experience, but you should get decent results anyway becasue they are so easy. I think people tend to prune in fall in zones where they are not fully hardy to make protecting them easier. Best practice for the plant is probably spring. Pruning generally encourages new growth. But again, plant is pretty tough shrub so knock yourself out.

Sorry I am just now getting back with you Gloria - it didn't let me know that i had a response for some reason. Gloria - i would love to trade some cuttings with you - except i don't know the names of ANY of them. To my knowledge, Mama didn't either, but I am sorry to say I can't ask her, she passed away in 2001. That is where all the plants initially came from.

Yes, tcharles, I have heard that rooting in water is not good, and i do root in the dirt too, either potting medium or just flowerbeds for perennials. However, you can check out the below pic to see how the gardenias my mother rooted in water are doing....that being said, to each his own, if it works for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardenia - rooted in water

Wow!!! That is one fantastic looking Gardenia regardless of how it was rooted. I wish I was there to get a sniff. Maybe I need to think about Alabama for my next vacation. Is anything blooming in January or Feb?
Congratulations Rosey on one truly beautiful plant.

Thanks Beth! It does smell WONDERFUL! Believe it or not, i have blooms on it now, although not a full flush like in the picture, that usually comes in the spring.