help for a sick garden hibscus

by Paulette
(Amherst, New York)

My hardy Hibscus has very pale yellow leaves even slightly curled leaves and no flower buds. I am in zone5 on July 23rd. Can you make any suggestion that may improve its current condition?


Doug says it sounds very much as if you have a serious case of spider mite. Check the underside o of the leaves and you'll likely see a small, fine webbing. Or you have aphids - likely congregating on the growing tips

Both these insects create this puckered leaf kind of symptom.

Spray with insecticidal soap under the leaf - follow the directions on the label re mixing and respraying. You'll have to be very consistent (spraying regularly) to control them once you get them established this much.

The second thing I'd be doing is applying a liquid plant food such as fish emulsion or seaweed based food to help with the growing but more importantly providing a ton of micronutrients to reduce plant stress. This will help the plant recover quickly and get those leaves back to green and growing.