Could use some advice here. Some quick things worth mentioning:

- I _did_ have this out over winter here in Northern California, though it was well protected (covered patio but still received sun; added frost cloth coverage on the cold nights). It took some water from windy rain but that last happened months ago. It's buddy that I had out next to it (a "HibisKiss" from Home Depot) never showed any issues.

- Trunk seems healthy; lots of new growth starting; already put out a beautiful flower a couple of weeks ago. The positive signs had me thinking it would eventually fight this off. . . but whatever this is has been persistent.

- It's receiving the same water/fertilizer schedule (Hidden Valley special blend 18-5-23 which is amazing by the way) as my other (healthy) hibiscus plants and I'm pretty familiar with how to water...so I don't think it's an over/under water situation but I could be wrong?

I'm guessing it's some sort of fungus or disease (?) but I don't want to treat it incorrectly. Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks in advance --