We got home to find that a rain/wind storm had hit the house. Tree branches down. Chairs blown over. The African Milk Tree looked like it was about to be torn apart. Screen sucked off a window. Some plants blown off their stands. Seems all of my Hibiscus were hit the hardest. I quickly staked everything back up. Both of the "Big Pinks" that I've been babying (since Theodoros sent me the seeds) were the worst hit. This one in particular. A branch appeared to have been snapped and then ripped off, leaving the "inside" of the stalk exposed. I'm really worried if this will lead to the plant dying? It's about to bloom and I just feel I should do more than just turn it around so the sun doesn't hit that area. Should I do anything to protect it? Or just leave it alone? damaged Hibiscus ( photo / image / picture from cherylad's Garden )
Sorry you had storm damage. Don't have any answers. But anything you do can't harm. Been through big storms. Just cry when you get home.
I can't decide if I want to try to cover that "wound" or just let it try to heal itself. Sure would hate to see it get "infected" or something. Yeah... nothing makes your heart drop to the ground when you see your plants laying down or tossed about.
Cheryl, since the damage didn't circle the stem, but just peeled one side of it, wrap it lightly and rather loosely in something porous, like cheesecloth or muslin, which has been dipped in an insecticide. Check every day or so until the wound scabs over, then remove the wrapping. If the wound had been circular it would cut off the flow of nutrients and probably be fatal. However, I think your hibiscus will survive (after all, it lives in your yard and has the attention of your green thumb!).
Cheryl, Neem should be fine. I'd add a little insecticidal soap to the wound before dressing it just to be on the Safer side (pun intended, sorry I just couldn't pass it up). I sure hope your hibiscus recovers quickly.
Okay... I have no clue what insecticidal soap is. I have a mix that Mart has me use on the apple tree to help with black spot... it has pyrethrin (in some dog shampoo) and some iodine. Would that be okay to use?
The pyrethrine/iodine solution should be very helpful. Insecticidal soap is simply about a tablespoon of Ivory bar soap shaved, a tsp. of vegetable (not olive) oil, and a qt. of tepid water. Shake well in a qt. spray container and spray on the top and underside of leaves for soft-bodied insects like aphids, white flies, etc. Or, you can buy Safer Insecticidal Soap at Lowe's, H. Depot, etc. I make my own, but then I don't have much else to do .
Okay... I use Dawn Dish Soap with veggie oil for some bugs. Will that be the best for me use in this case?
Dawn is a detergent. Get a bar of Ivory, or use Dreft flakes, but make sure that whatever you use is a real and true soap.
Along with a good washing of the wound, I would also put something over the dirt in the pot so if it rains or is windy the dirt won't get up into the wound till it calluses. Maybe newspaper or plastic or paper towel. It's just like a childs wound. Keep it clean and the body will heal itself rebuilding new cells. If infection sets in, the cells won't grow well.
Barb, I hadn't thought of that! Very, very good advice, and a great analogy. Cheryl, Stewies are going to bring your hibiscus through this minor setback.
Didn't think of that either... and it's about to rain again. I'll go put some newspaper around it. You gals are wonderful!
