Is It Too Late (may 9) To Prune My Braided…
Tom Asked
is it too late (May 9) to prune my braided hibiscus? I keep it on my deck facing west and it gets a lot of sun.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Tom: I am assuming this is a tropical you have overwintered indoors. It will be happy to go back outside for the warmer months. Remember to acclimate it to the full sun when it goes back outside. The light levels are much lower inside and taking it from this environment to the full sun can burn the foliage. If it is an older plant or just needs shaping, it is a good time to prune your hibiscus. Use a clean, sharp pair of pruners and make your cuts above a leaf node. Do not remove more than just a few inches unless you are removing dead wood. This will invigorate your tropical and encourage future blooms so you can enjoy them all summer long. Hibiscus are heavy feeders so remember to give them the nutrients they need. A slow-release well-balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 will be beneficial.
