Indoor hibiscus (Chinese rose) - home care and why it doesn't bloom?

Hibiscus is a large genus of evergreen plants belonging to the Malvaceae family. Most species of the genus grow wild in tropical regions of Asia, and only a few have been successfully domesticated. One such species is Hibiscus sinensis, or Chinese rose. It is an evergreen shrub with a voluminous crown that produces spectacular, vibrant buds during flowering.

Thanks to its lush blooms, this shrub has gained widespread popularity among Russian gardeners and is now a frequent guest in homes and offices. The vibrant and easy-to-care-for hibiscus has been successfully grown indoors for many years, as it's incredibly easy to care for, and even an inexperienced gardener can provide the flower with the proper growing conditions.

Description of indoor hibiscus

The China rose is a beautifully flowering evergreen indoor hibiscus with a smooth, upright trunk and a voluminous crown. The branches of the bush are covered in gray-green bark. In its natural habitat, the hibiscus can reach a height of 3 meters. The shoots of the bush are completely covered with fairly large leaves up to 15 cm long, shaped like an elongated oval with a pointed tip.

The edges of the glossy leaf blades are serrated. Hibiscus leaves are predominantly a rich green, but variegated varieties are also available. During flowering, bright, large, funnel-shaped flowers appear on long stalks, each consisting of five smooth or double petals. Each flower can reach 16 cm in size. Varieties with pink, orange, yellow, and red buds are also available.

Chinese hibiscus has become the parent plant for many hybrid varieties, which differ in leaf and flower color. The most popular hybrid varieties of Chinese rose include:

1. Allure. The flower is distinguished by its lush, double buds of pink or orange.

   

2. Dark Night. This variety impresses with its unique coloring. Its petals are burgundy or gray-violet shades. The base of the petals is red.

   

3. Borias. A shrub with large white or lemon-colored buds. The base of the petals is burgundy.

   

4. Purple Majestic. A variety with variegated buds. The wavy edges of the purple petals are adorned with white streaks and flecks, which only enhance the flower's beauty.

   

5. Carmen Keene. One of the most vibrant hibiscus varieties, distinguished by its unusual flower color. Bright pink petals end in a white ruffled edge.

   

All hybrid varieties are as easy to care for as their parent.

Hibiscus care at home: secrets and challenges

The plant is completely unpretentious and can continue to grow foliage in virtually any growing conditions. However, unfavorable humidity, temperature, and improper pruning can prevent it from blooming.

Lighting

This sun-loving shrub prefers to grow in a well-lit location. However, when choosing a location, keep in mind that direct UV rays can negatively impact its decorative qualities. For this reason, it's best to place the plant on an east- or west-facing windowsill.

Therefore, even in winter, the plant must receive sufficient light. To achieve this, the shrub can be provided with supplemental lighting using phytolamps.

Temperature and humidity

During the active growing season, which occurs in the warmer months, the bush thrives at temperatures between 20 and 24°C. With the onset of cold weather, it is recommended to provide the plant with a dormant period, reducing the indoor temperature to 14-16°C. This overwintering will have a positive effect on subsequent flowering.

The flower prefers a humid climate. Humidity can be increased by placing a container of damp expanded clay near the plant. The shrub responds well to daily misting, especially in summer and winter, when the air in the room becomes dry due to heat or heating. While the shrub is in bloom, mist carefully, avoiding water coming into contact with the buds.

Watering and fertilizing

This moisture-loving plant requires frequent and abundant watering, especially during the active growing season. However, avoid allowing moisture to stagnate in the pot or tray. It's best to water immediately after the top layer of soil has dried out slightly. In autumn and winter, the plant doesn't require such abundant watering. During these times, you can allow the top layer of soil to dry out completely.

Regular fertilization during the spring and summer is crucial for the bush's flowering. A lack of nutrients in the soil can cause the bush to shed unopened buds. Liquid complex fertilizers for flowering ornamental plants can be used for fertilization. Apply fertilizing once every two weeks.

Pruning and pinching

Pruning plays a crucial role in the flowering of a bush. Buds form exclusively on young shoots, and pruning stimulates their formation. It is recommended to perform this procedure in the spring, after repotting the plant.

During pruning, shoots are shortened by 1/3 of their total length. Weak, diseased, and inward-growing shoots are removed completely. It is recommended to treat the cut areas with garden pitch or sprinkle them with charcoal. Pinching shoots immediately after flowering also stimulates the formation of new lateral shoots.

Preparing for winter

A cold winter has a positive effect on the lushness and duration of future hibiscus blooms. However, the plant must be properly prepared for the dormant period to avoid damaging it with drastic changes. To achieve this, immediately after flowering, you can begin gradually lowering the indoor temperature.

It's also necessary to reduce the frequency and amount of watering, as moisture evaporates from the soil much more slowly in a cool room. Furthermore, it's recommended to stop fertilizing altogether or reduce the frequency to once every few months.

Why doesn't my indoor Chinese rose bloom?

Many gardeners have at least once encountered the problem when their hibiscus refuses to bloom, although at first glance it looks completely healthy.

The main reasons why a plant does not bloom:

1. Lack of light and moisture.
2. Lack of nutrients in the soil, especially phosphorus.
3. Overfeeding the plant with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
4. Untimely pruning or lack thereof.
5. The bush was planted in a container that was too wide.
6. The plant was not given a dormant period.
7. Diseases and pests.

Flowering period and violation of care rules

With proper care, hibiscus can bloom for several months. Typically, the blooming period occurs in the summer and can last from June to September. Each flower lasts one, maximum two days. Improper care of a blooming hibiscus can result in the shedding of unopened buds or rapid flower fall.

1. Insufficient watering, a lack of nutrients in the soil, keeping the bush in a cold room, and drafts lead to the loss of buds that have not yet had time to open.
2. Hibiscus reacts similarly to a sudden change in location, so you should not move the flowering bush.
3. Lack of light during the flowering period will significantly shorten its duration.
4. It is also worth remembering that you should not allow water to come into contact with the flowers of the bush, otherwise they will become stained and fall off.

Diseases, pests

Some diseases also prevent the plant from blooming:

1. Watering plants with hard water, which contains high levels of chlorine, causes chlorosis. This condition causes old leaves to fall off, and new ones to appear yellow. Treatment involves repotting the plant and switching to soft water with iron chelate.
2. Overwatering can lead to root rot, causing the hibiscus to become bare. Failure to treat or address the problem promptly can result in the death of the plant.

   

3. A dry indoor climate is ideal for spider mite breeding. The pest can be identified by the fine webbing on the underside of the leaves. Treating the plant with a soap solution or an acaricide will help eliminate the pests.
4. Hibiscus can also be affected by aphids. These insects primarily attack buds and young leaves. This pest can only be controlled with systemic insecticides.

Propagation by cuttings and replanting of indoor hibiscus plants

Young hibiscus can be grown from seeds or cuttings, but the former method is almost never used due to its complexity. Propagating hibiscus from cuttings, however, is a relatively quick and easy way to obtain a new plant. Furthermore, a plant grown from a cutting can bloom in its first year.

• For rooting, it is best to use young, freshly cut cuttings that remain after spring pruning of the bush:
• Cuttings 10 to 15 cm long should have 2 to 4 internodes.
• Cuttings root equally successfully both in soil and in water:
  • To root in the soil, remove all leaves from the planting material except the top pair of leaflets. The cuttings are placed in a container filled with a moist substrate of peat and sand, and covered with a glass or plastic jar to create greenhouse conditions; rooting time is 1.5-2 months;

    

  • Cuttings can also be placed in a container of water and left there until roots form; typically, cuttings root in water within 25-30 days. It is recommended to cover the container with a glass jar to increase humidity.
• After roots appear on the cuttings, they are transplanted into a pot up to 10 cm in diameter and cared for as a mature plant.

The plant must be replanted according to the following algorithm of actions:

1. Place a 2 to 4 cm thick drainage layer on the bottom of the new container. You can use small pebbles or expanded clay for the drainage layer.
2. Fill the drainage layer with the prepared soil mixture. The layer thickness should be 4-6 cm.
3. Carefully remove the hibiscus from the old container and inspect its roots for disease or damage.

   

   

   

4. Place the bush in the center of the new container and fill the voids of the pot with soil.
5. Compact the soil around the bush.
6. Water the plant generously. It's recommended to discard any water that drains into the tray to prevent root rot.

   

   

   

For planting, it's best to use a loose, nutritious soil mixture consisting of turf, humus, river sand, and peat, mixed in a 2:1:1:1 ratio. If you change pots during repotting, each subsequent container should be 2-4 cm larger than the previous one.

It is best to use a deep, narrow container, which will prevent rapid root growth and stimulate flowering.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Hibiscus sinensis is a beautiful evergreen shrub that is a frequent guest in homes and even government buildings. Its lush, vibrant blooms and low-maintenance care have made it a popular houseplant. Knowing the key nuances of watering, lighting, and pruning will help you grow a beautiful, healthy shrub that will delight you with its blooms for months.