Hi All

I'm out here in Los Angeles. I have a Hibiscus that's not doing so well. Our landscaper planted a total of 4 last July and all were going strong with good growth & green leaves. In January, one plant started to exhibit pale leaves. This was after a couple weeks of heavy rain. Leaves will turn yellow, others leaves will appear to curl and dry up, leading to whole branches dying. It's still flowering some. I've cut off a few of the dead branches -- and the inside of the pruned branch is dead at the base and still greenish inside at a cross section further up the branch. I did notice aphids and what seemed to be spider mites a couple months back, but sprayed the plant (along with the others) with a pesticide, and haven't seem them since. I read that Hibiscus will shed leaves with a bad infestation, but it's been a couple months since the infestation so not sure that's the residual problem.

The plants are mulched in a raised walled planting bed, and I don't think the landscaper swapped out much of the poor clay soil in our yard when he planted them. Using a moisture meter, I've noticed the planting bed has never really dried out since the heavy rains. And we've had rains every couple of weeks since then. The soil continually registers wet. I'm wondering if the plant is water logged or incurred disease from too wet of soil. I have fertilized lightly with Miracle Grow as well.

I'm considering that I should dig it up, improve the soil, and replant. I know replanting can shock the plant, but I've seen no real signs of improvement in the health of plant. All other 3 plants are fine, so can't quite figure this one out.

Any input appreciated.... thanks!

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