I think my hybiscus is dying?

Question

This is probably a stupid question, but I'm new to house plants, so I'm going to go for it anyway. I have a large, beautiful, potted hybiscus. One day, my dog got mad at me and ripped it out by the roots, and completely destroyed the root system. What was left was about a 6 inch sphere of roots at the base. The rest (about a 12 inch diameter root system) was destroyed. When he was done with it, not a spec of dirt was left on the roots. By the way, I was not home. Is there any way to salvage it? It looks like it's dying from the leaves down.

Answer 1

Wow, smart dog to bonsai your hibiscus! My pup pruned double impatiens this AM, we should get the dogs together and form a K9 landscaping company. Doggone Plants!

Plunk it back in dirt, whack off any damaged foliage/branches. (Plop those cuttings in water, clear container, South window, see "barnacle" looking roots in a week.) Give it a shot of MiracleGro, then ignore it. They like heat and humidity (makes them bloom) but not wet feet, don't let it dry out totally. Should be ok, they're pretty tough. New leaves = new roots.

good luck, want some impatiens chewings, erm, cuttings?

Answer 2

Hi:
You can bring your Hibiscus back to life. If it has any roots left I recommend to clients to buy some root hormone and spread some on the roots that are left. Root hormone is a white powder and this will promote growth. Put the Hibiscus in a mixture of light weight potting soil with some humas and vermiculite. Add warm water to the mixture and plant. Keep the Hibiscus watered and this should promote growth. You can also use an organic fertilizier to help it along. It should do fine by following these steps.

Good luck to you and browse through my website to get information on a lot of different topics in landscape and solutions to different areas. I will direct you my site map so you can see everything that is on my site. Have a great day and if you have any other or more questions about the Hibiscus, feel free to contact me!
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Answer 3

I can offer this from personal experience. I have bought Hybiscus many times and always have lost them and having taken the last batch to the garden center I was informed they are imported from Central America where the climate is much warmer vs. cold where I live.

Having just a small portion of root left after the accident you are going to have to really pamper the plant by keeping it warm and watered.

Use a small amount (1/2 cup) Bone meal around the existing roots and maybe it'll survive inside for the winter.

Answer 4

Soak the bottom part into a bucket full of water for about 2hours. Then replant it using fertilized soil. Cut the dried twigs and take off the dried/dying leaves. Pour water everyday and don't place it under the sun. You need to place it under the shade which air can easily pass thru also. Don't worry, in few weeks, tiny leaves will come out and new twigs will start coming out too.

Answer 5

Just give it some time, give it some water, hibiscus plants can be very forgiving. Try to place in till it gets better in the shade.