Eileen’s hibiscus, August 2012, Ocean Grove, New Jersey. EG photo
By Eileen Goldfinger, Food and Garden Editor @Blogfinger
Last February when we were in Ft. Myers, Florida, we took a trip to the Fleamasters flea market on MLK Blvd. to buy a hibiscus plant for our Florida garden.
I unfortunately didn’t examine the plant carefully. I was seduced by its beautiful flower and did not notice that it was leggy and had mealy bugs. Disappointed but undaunted, I placed it on our sunny patio, repotted it with planting soil and sprayed it thoroughly every few days with Eight Insect Control by Bonide. I rid it of bugs and pruned it by a third.
Since we were not going to return to Florida for 8 months, I decided to take my hibiscus back to Ocean Grove and give it some TLC until I could place it outside in June. It rewarded me with endless beautiful flowers all summer.
So this November, when we return to Florida for a few weeks, my hibiscus is coming with me. I plan to take it back and forth with us as we travel from New Jersey to Florida and back.