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With our Show being only weeks away, April is the month to get your plants in top-notch condition in order to produce prize winning blooms. Stepping up your fertilization program may well be considered if you have fewer blooms than you would like.
April is part of our dry season, in fact, historically it is our driest month, so it is likely you won’t receive an inch of rain a week. Therefore, from time to time during the month, you will need to get out the hose or turn on the irrigation system to give your hibiscus a drink. April temperatures are normally mild, with highs averaging less than 82 degrees. However, it also tends to be a windy month and plants may dry out more quickly than you might expect, in view of the temperatures. Don’t forget to mulch, both in-ground and potted plants, in order to conserve water.
April is also the month when we see our plants starting vigorous growth. This is particularly noticeable in hibiscus planted in the ground, since ground temperature needs to get above 65 degrees to initiate root growth.
The insect population begins noticeably with the new growth. Once, the rule was to spray with Orthene in the first week of April and at the same time spray other plants and nearby lawns with Sevin to control other insects that may transfer to your hibiscus. As we move toward the use of fewer chemicals, we tend to wait until the insects or the evidence of their presence is seen, before spraying. However, to do that, we need to be very observant. Aphids are difficult to spot and they may show up with new growth. When spraying with insecticide is approached, if you don’t have Orthene (Acephate), use something with Orthene in it like Isotox. Some might be interested in trying the "next generation" systemic insecticide and use something containing Imidacloprid, like Bayer’s Tree and Shrub Insect Control.
Apply a good hibiscus fertilizer early in the month – watering both before and after the application.
April is a pretty good month to pollinate hibiscus blooms to make new seedlings. The sun is not too hot to dehydrate the pollen.
March May
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