Hi,

New here. I'm sorry if this has been covered before, but all my 'googling' isn't getting me very good answers.

My neighbor recently gave me an unknown hibiscus to over-winter while they go south. I'm assuming its tropical. The blossoms are single, peach colored with a red center, with not very shiny, sort of heart shaped leaves. The 'not very shiny' may be due to stress, it was very dry, had been exposed to 40F, and had lots of dead leaves (evenly distributed throughout the bush) before I got it. The 16" tall x ~28" wide plant is in a 14" diameter x 12" deep pot. I don't know how long its been in the pot, not more than 2 summers. The 'trunk' is ~ 1" diameter at soil level. I removed all it's dead leaves and it is now in a south window at ~ 70F.

It's thriving! Has 3 blooms today and about 12 buds! I have had it 12 days. I have heard they should be watered sparingly so except for drenching it when I 1st got it have only given it one 8oz glass of water per week.

So, can I enjoy it's next round of blossoms? I know I need to prune it. I've read 30%. When? When to fertilize assuming it hasn't had any since mid-summer? And can you give me a schedule of care for over the winter?

I'd like to keep this alive for my neighbor for the winter, and while I do have a sorta green thumb, I have NO experience with hibicus!

Thank you! Sarah