My Hibiscus Is Not Thriving; No Flowers,& Branch Tips Dead And Gummy

Question

Hi. My hibiscus was planted last summer. It is in very, very poor soil and the irrigation system doesn’t run more than once a week. I thought it needed water so I watered it every other day. I put some peat moss around its base just recently. It was occasionally flowering, but no no flowers and the branch tips look gummy and dead. I do not see any obvious insects, but I do not know what I am looking for either I just moved from Michigan and I have almost no knowledge of the plants and flowers and trees around here! Thank you so much for any help and information you can give me! Kathy

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Answer 1

It looks like an insect problem, possibly mealy bugs. Cut off all the damaged looking ends back to a leaf node. Examine the undersides of leaves for signs of insects. If you see any, spray the leaves with Neem oil.

You can water deeply about three times a week. Fertilizer is important for hibiscus plants. These articles will help to take care of it:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/pests-on-hibiscus-plants.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/hibiscus-sticky-leaves.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/tips-for-pruning-hibiscus-plants-when-to-prune-hibiscus.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hibiscus/how-to-care-for-hibiscus-plants.htm