The Hibiscus Flower is a well-known flower in our country. It is an evergreen flowering shrub that belongs to the Malvaceae family and is mainly found in East Asia. It is also known as Rosemallow or China Rose. Hibiscus Flower trees can grow up to 8 to 16 feet tall and have bright green leaves. The flower itself is brightly colored and has five petals.
Hibiscus Flower is typically a summer and autumn flower and is not only beautiful to look at, but also beneficial for watering. Both the leaves and flowers of the Hibiscus plant have many natural properties, and several Ayurvedic medicines are prepared from its nectar.
There are many varieties of this beautiful and attractive flower available in our country, with colors ranging from red, pink, white, to yellow. Planting Hibiscus Flower as an ornamental plant in your yard, balcony or roof can enhance the beauty of the area and provide the added benefit of Ayurvedic medicine.
Hibiscus flower is highly effective in promoting black hair growth, similar to that of almonds. It aids in repairing sun-damaged and lifeless hair by providing necessary nutrients. Hibiscus oil is also very beneficial in preventing premature hair aging and hair loss. It helps to moisturize the scalp and acts as a natural conditioner and moisturizer.
Beneficial for the Skin:
Hibiscus flower is not only beneficial for hair but also for the skin. It is highly effective in eliminating acne, sun-tan, and dark circles. It is also used to remove dark skin and make it fairer. Hibiscus works to remove skin wrinkles, and it is also known as the Botox plant due to its natural Botox effects.
Apart from hair and skin care, Hibiscus leaf tea is also highly beneficial for health. It is rich in antioxidants that help control blood pressure and are also useful in type-2 diabetes.
Hibiscus flower has many other properties, including the magical ability to remove iron deficiency, reduce skin aging, and control high blood pressure. It is also effective in aiding weight loss and solving kidney problems.
Cultivation Method of Hibiscus
Site Selection:
Select a light and airy place for planting Hibiscus seedlings. This will help the tree grow faster, and reduce the risk of disease attacks.
Soil Preparation:
Soil is a crucial factor for Hibiscus cultivation. The quality of the soil will greatly influence the growth of the tree. Hibiscus can be grown in all types of soil, but well-drained sandy loam soil is more suitable for this flower. To prepare the soil, mix 50% fertile loam soil with 40% dung manure or leaf rot manure/vermicompost. Additionally, mix 10 parts of river white sand, 50 grams of bone powder, 50 grams of singh kuchi, and half a spoon of mustard seeds with the soil. If transplanting Hibiscus during the rainy season, mix one spoon of fungicide with the soil. This will help to enhance the quality of flowers.
Seedlings from Hibiscus Plant Cuttings:
The best time to take a cutting is during the monsoon season. Place the cutting in water during the monsoon and you should see roots sprout within 3 to 4 days if you follow these guidelines:
(1) If the branch is too thin, there may be issues. It’s best to use a branch as thick as a pencil or thicker, as thicker branches can retain more moisture.
(2) The cutting should be between 7 and 8 inches in length. If the cutting is too small, the branch will sprout less, and if it’s too large, the roots will grow slower.
(3) Use pruning tools when taking cuttings from trees. Before cutting, wipe the tools with Dettol or Savlon. Cut at a 45-degree angle. All of these things are crucial. If you don’t cut the branch properly, or disinfect it with Dettol, the cutting may become infected and rot. Cutting at a 45-degree angle provides more surface area for water absorption, which is also crucial.
(4) Trim all large leaves with a new blade, but keep very small leaves. Don’t keep small branches. If there are large leaves or small branches, the cutting will expend its energy there, thus delaying root growth.
(5) Wrap the head of the cutting with polythene to retain moisture.
(6) Lightly scratch the underside with a clean knife. The roots will sprout quickly and easily. Don’t scratch too hard!
(7) Place the cuttings in a location with some rainwater. Rainwater has a neutral pH, close to 7, and is a natural growth regulator. It’s perfect for growing roots. Drop a clove in the water and watch the magic happen!
(8) Change the water daily.
You should see roots sprout from every cutting within 4 to 5 days.
Hibiscus Seedling Method:
- After preparing the soil, make 1.5 feet deep holes at intervals of 3-4 meters in each row. The seedlings should be planted straight into the hole and the roots should be covered properly with soil. Press the soil firmly at the base of the plant, and water as required.
- Apart from open land, Hibiscus flower seedlings can also be planted in pots. For this, use pots or drums that are at least 10 inches or larger in size. One-year-old (12 inches or larger) seedlings can be planted in pots instead of new ones. At the bottom of the pot, lay a few centimeters of broken pieces of brick or clay pavers so that the soil of the pot rests on them. This will help to drain excess water.
- After planting the seedlings, water them frequently. During the dry season, water should be given every 7-8 days. However, if excess water accumulates due to rain or irrigation, it must be removed.
Fertilizer Application and Care of Hibiscus:
To effectively care for your Hibiscus plants, it is recommended that you follow these guidelines:
- For potted plants, prune and change the soil every year after the monsoon season.
- In the winter season, dig up the soil around the Hibiscus plant and apply fertilizer.
- Regularly remove weeds from the area surrounding the plant.
- Between March and October, prune any young tips of old trees, dead branches, and leaves.
- To enhance flowering, you can spray the plant on a daily basis by mixing 25 milliliters of Lanofix with every liter of water.
Disease Control:
- Yellowing of leaves is a common disease that affects the Hibiscus plant. This condition is caused by a small insect that typically lives under the leaves. These insects create small webs on the tips of the branches, and as they suck the juice from the underside of the leaf, the tree becomes dull, and the leaves turn yellow and curl.
- To control this pest, you can use cold water. If the problem persists, you may need to use insecticides such as Kelthen-42, Thiovit-80, Ethion-46.5 EC, which should be sprayed on the reverse side of the leaves.
- During summer, the leaves may dry out due to extreme heat, and white spots may appear on them. To solve this problem, you can wash the leaves with soap. However, you should be careful not to let the soapy water reach the root of the tree.
Breeding:
Hibiscus is mainly propagated through cuttings. In addition, it can also be propagated from seeds and tubers.
