peter - You say you planted a couple of Mahoe's? You do know they're a fairly large tree, right? 30' height with a 40' spread when mature.

Well, either way, the leaf drop is from the handful of cold fronts that have gone through here recently. Also, depending on how large they were when first planted, you may have a bit of shock involved as well. Just water them 3 or 4 times a week, wait another 2 weeks and then use some palm fertilizer - 12-6-8 - and they should respond well.

Thank you. I had researched these before I got them. I had read that they may get to 20' and that's about as high as I would want them anyway. You are right about the cold front, I didn't think of that. Instructions say to use a 13-13-13 fertilizer. Here is a link for one:

http://picasaweb.google.com/PMRSFL/Hibiscus

I don't know where you are in South Florida, but if you can get over the BCC Central Campus, off Davie Road, there's a fully grown Mahoe next to one of the buildings in the Quad. It's been in the ground for 20 years +/- and must be at least 3 stories tall.

As far as the fertilizer goes, I use 12-6-8 for everything.

I am in Boynton Beach, I do not get to that area anymore but I'll take you word for it, Perhaps those are a different variety form the ones I have.

check link: http://www.mgonlinestore.com/VarSeaHi/