sticky hibiscus plant

Question

I have had a hibiscus plant for the last 12 years. But every time I bring it in for winter, it seems to get some stickiness on the leaves and small bugs on the buds. I tried fungicide spray but it does not help. Please help!

Answer 1

The follloing answers many hibiscus questions along with providing links to hibiscus articles: https://questions.gardeningknowhow.com/tag/hibiscus-plants

I think you probably have aphids, and while neem oil will help with the aphids, it will also act as a fungicide to the inevitible sooty mold that follows aphids.

Answer 2

I wish I could send a message to everyone everywhere, please don’t put poisons on your plants without knowing what is actually wrong with your plants.

The only thing you need to get rid of the sooty mold as well as the sticky exudate from the aphids (or whatever) is a spray of a teaspoon of mild soap in a cup of water, and wiping gently with a soft cloth. As for getting rid of the bugs, you can use the same spray, adding a teaspoon of oil (neem oil will work, as will horticultural oil, or even canola oil) for extra measure. Spray all over the plant, undersides of leaves, stems, buds and flowers, spraying till the plant is dripping. You will need to do this once a week for 3 weeks, or until there is no more stickiness. You might want to identify what kind of bugs are on the plants, too.