Hibiscus tree- strange problem. Should I quarantine?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Planted a small 'grove' of hibiscus trees- about 5 that I got on sale last fall.
One of them looks odd (see pics). This year it has not produced one flower.
Although it put out leaves, all of the leaves at all the twig ends are small
and curled. Its been this way all year unchanged, and hasn't grown an
inch taller. I have no idea what this is, does anyone?

My thinking is to pull this tree out and discard it, and replace it with
a new one because I would be afraid whatever it has, would spread to
the rest. Or is that overkill, literally.
The only thing I have found so far is a Youtube video that mentions a calcium deficiency (see link), and there are products such as Ironite but this would take a long time to see if it is the issue, and in the meantime if this is contagious the other trees may become infected.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Featured Answer

tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

It's not strange at all, even if it might seem so to some who aren't aware of how severe are the limitations that can be imposed by root congestion. Too, I didn't go all anthropomorphic and suggest the plant wanted to strangle itself. Given any plant, the roots of which are tangled and wrapped around each other such as the conditions that are prevalent in plants left to become badly root bound - encircling/girdling/crossing, j-hooked roots, roots growing straight up or straight down, roots growing back toward the center of the root mass, are all part of the condition. When you put that plant in the landscape, the problems aren't "solved", and they don't go away w/o intervention. They remain and are limiting for whatever length of time it takes for the plant to give up the ghost.

This plant, though not hibiscus, would never do well if I just planted it out in the landscape with the root mass intact.

It would falter and die within a few years because the roots would cut off the flow of water/nutrients/bio-compounds to the top and carbohydrates + other bio-compounds to the roots.

The same plant (below), with the roots properly attended to, has a much longer life expectancy, thanks to the root work.

Same deal here

and here:

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Comments (7)

C Rutherford
Original Author
8 years ago
Here is a handy Hibiscus Troubleshooting page I found. I don't see an exact match here does anyone? I wrote to these people also but have yet to get any reply.

http://www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com/care/hibiscusdoctor.htm
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merkity
8 years ago
looks like a hardy hibiscus - leaves curling usually is mineral /heat issue - if everything was wilting i would be concerned - but curled just an issue with this years growth - you could give it a prune and some fertilizer....see if that helps.
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tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
8 years ago
If a plant is struggling, it shouldn't be pruned ...... for the simple reason that each leaf is a small factory dedicated to making the plant's food (during photosynthesis). The plant is already starving, so removing any additional fraction of it's food source would be a patently bad idea.

If you have healthy plants in the immediate vicinity, it's doubtful it's a nutritional issue. At first glance, the site where the plants are located doesn't appear to get anywhere near enough sun, which is a major issue if the observation is accurate.

What might be happening is a plant strangling itself if you didn't correct root problems before you planted it.

Al
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C Rutherford
Original Author
8 years ago
>>>What might be happening is a plant strangling itself if you didn't correct root problems before you planted it.>>>

This is a strange comment. What does it mean? What root problems. Why in the world would a plant want to strangle itself.

There are 4 trees in this area. The other 3 are just fine, have new growth and flowers. This one has the curls.
I've never heard of a plant curling up at the ends because it didn't get enough sun.
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C Rutherford
Original Author
8 years ago
Here's my worst fear confirmed:
http://www.hibiscusworld.com/BeersBook/14-QandA.htm

>>>>
Q. My leaves are curled and twisted
and the flowers not as vibrant.
A. Your plant appears to have developed
a virus which may spread by the use of infected vegetative parts for
propagation and by insect vectors such as aphids and leaf hoppers. Severely
infected or damaged plants should be destroyed and replaced with healthy
plants, and sterilisation of grafting and pruning implements that have been
used on suspect plants is a commonsense practice.
>>>>>>
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C Rutherford
Original Author
8 years ago
By the way its interesting to note with these trees. Bought a number of them on clearance, all Rose of Sharon white (cold hardy hibiscus).
Four I planted in the back yard in the not-so-acceptable light situation.
The fifth one I planted at another residence in full open sun.

I expected the full sun tree to grow faster than the rest, or at least have many more flowers. That is hardly the case- its middle of the pack at best. In fact the healthiest tree with the largest flowers is in a corner next to a garage in the backyard, partially shaded by a fence and a pine tree. In fact it just produced a huge flower recently about 50% larger than "normal". It does get good evening sun though.

Got me, no idea.
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