The hibiscus plant is a popular plant

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Though the traditional hibiscus plant has been popular for many years, lately, one of the trends has been to grow the tropical type. This can be easily achieved, even by those who live in the less temperate climates. All it takes are a few simple precautions in order to protect the tropical plant during the winter.

The first step in protecting your plant is to determine whether you have a tropical plant or if it is a hardy, perennial plant. Many times when you shop for your plants, the store will sell any type of hibiscus under the same umbrella.

To determine which type of plant you have, check the leaves. Are they glossy and deep green? Are the flowers shades of red, orange, pink, or yellow? Then chances are good that it is the tropical type.

If, on the other hand, it has dull green leaves and only red or pink flowers, then it is most likely a traditional, hardy type.

Upon discovering that you are the proud owner of a tropical variety, you will need to bring the plant inside before the temperature drops below 40 degrees. Bringing them in, you will need to place them under plenty of artificial lighting that utilizes florescent lights.

At all times, the temperatures should be between 55 and 70. The lower temperatures are actually more ideal, as they will help lessen the chances of insect infestations later in the year.

When growing this plant, every owner should find out which type they have. Determining this information will determine if you can leave your hardy perennial plant outdoors all winter, or if you will need to bring your tropical hibiscus plant indoors for the winter.

The hibiscus plant casts a dramatic effect over the landscape

Aphids are frequently too small to see without a microscope, but the tiny insects operate by sucking on the leaves of the shrub. They fortunately are easy to control.

A simple hose set on high or careful application of a liquid soap should do the trick for getting rid of small aphid populations. For larger populations, Orthene and soap will do the same job.

If you have aphids, chances are pretty good ants also are bothering you. Ants rely on aphids because of a sweet substance the aphids produce. The best way to get rid of the ants is to get rid of the aphids.

Along with ants and aphids, major pests to the hibiscus are spider mites. These are usually so small that you require a magnifying glass to see them and occasionally, you’ll need a magnifying glass to see their webs as well, though sometimes the webs will be big enough to see without one.

If you begin to see pale, yellowish spots on the top of leaves with bumps on the bottom of the leaves, chances are good that you have spider mites. Through use of fine oils or matricides, spider mites can be eliminated.

Mealy bugs, unlike spider mites, are typically large enough to see. They are small and soft bodied, and can be easily eliminated using an alcolgol spray.

White fly can cause the death of a hibiscus plant. To be rid of them, you’ll need Orthene and Murphy’s Oil soap. Coat beneath leaves up to four times in order to get rid of white fly.

Scales are an additional sucking insect that typically starts at the base of a trunk. Orthene and fine oil, or a weak bleach solution will work well in ridding these insects. Likewise, so will a light spray of Pam or WD-40.

Though they are gorgeous ornaments to have in our homes, the hibiscus plant can fall prey to a lot of pests. These insect invaders can easily be taken care of as long as they are caught early.

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