How do I stop the birds from eating the leaves on my Hibiscus plants.?

Question

Cats and extermination are not solutions in this situation. I was thinking orange peels or coffee grinds? Help?

I thought about bird netting but the plant is in full bloom and I want to show it off.

Answer 1

how about bird netting?

Answer 2

This sounds strange and I personally have never tried it but I heard that putting an aluminum foil miniature pie pan towrds the sun reflects the light and scares the birds away. The pan must be attached with like a metal skewer or something similar, in order to hold the pie pan above the plants so the pan is not shaded. My future mother in law told me she did this to keep birds away from her raspberries. She said it was pretty effective even though it's not very aesthetic. Just pull the skewers out before company arrives.

Answer 3

Birds don't eat hibiscus leaves. It could be beetles, grass hoppers, or any number of other insects. Disyston is a good systemic insecticide, sold at nurseries, sprinkle around drip line and water in. Coffee grounds are good for the plant, but will not discourage anything from eating it.

Answer 4

Uhh reynwater, you are incorrect. Birds do eat hibiscus leaves. I am in Dallas, and the grackles here eat our hibiscus plants every year without fail. I'd be happy to record some video to prove it. A local horticulturist told me once that there is an oil type of scent that the hibiscus plant puts off that the the birds, in this case, a Grackle is attracted to "like candy".