Easy Steps of Making Twisted Hibiscus Tree

Hibiscus is a shrub plant originating from East Asia and is usually widely used as an ornamental plant in the tropics and subtropics. The hibiscus flower is included in the complete flower category which has a main part (pistil and stamen) and an accessory part (corolla and petals as jewelry leaves as well as flower base and flower stalk).

The hibiscus flower has 5 pistils and more than 10 yellow stamens. The petals (petals, corollas) are generally colorful and fragrant. Hibiscus flowers are usually red and the petals are green. The base of the hibiscus flower is where the pistils, stamens, corolla and petals are embedded.

Hibiscus flower arrangement, flowers are located or appear on the organs of the tree, hibiscus flower is located or appears in the leaf axils (Axillary). The stamens are single or single stamens (monadelphus), i.e. if all the stamens on one flower are attached together, it is a bundle with a hollow center and only the ends of the stamens that support the anthers are still free from each other.

In plants belonging to the Malvaceae tribe, such as hibiscus flowers, outside the flower petal circle, the flowers still have petal-like leaves which on cotton are actually very large and cover the entire flower called the additional petals (epicalyx).

Additional petals that occur in hibiscus flowers are leaf-like parts that are green and arranged in a circle under the petals. Regarding the composition of flowers, hibiscus flowers are included in a single flower where on one stalk there is only one flower. And tropical hibiscus is suitable for USDA plant hardiness zones 9 and 10.

What is braided hibiscus?

Have you ever thought about having hibiscus flowers braided? Then, what is braided hibiscus? judging by its appearance, this hibiscus flower consists of several young Chinese hibiscus trees whose early stems have been trained together to form a braid. It’s just that growing a braided hibiscus tree from this young plant will take a long time and good care, but it’s not that hard to make a braided hibiscus topiary.

How to Form a Hibiscus Braided Tree

• Get four young hibiscus trees with stems no thicker than a pen/pencil. At this size the plants are usually just less than 2 feet tall small, but well formed, root systems. You can buy from nursery or online store, or else you can get the plants from stem cuttings.
• As possible you have to plant all of four young stems in a deep pot close to each other, and then take the slender stems and lay them one over the other stem.
• Start braiding stem with the two outside and twist them together once. And then you have to add the third, twist and then the fourth stem.
• Keep doing that process until you have looped all the young stems together up to the top foliage.
• Well at this point you need to tie them together lightly.
• After you braid the hibiscus stem, the plant needs to be shaped. then trim the uneven stems until they have a rounded appearance.
• to maintain its shape all you have to do is keep trimming it.
• Place your hibiscus plant in bright sunlight with protection from high heat in the middle of the day or use a net.
• like hibiscus care in general which requires a lot of water, braided hibiscus also requires the same thing. just remember to water it daily during summer but reduce watering in winter.
• provide fertilizer with diluted plant food in spring
• The best time to prune the stems and regain their shape is Early spring or late winter before the plant is actively growing again.
• It’s a good idea to repot the plants every three years and gradually introduce them to brighter light over a week or two.
• Make sure you bring your hibiscus into the room before it gets cold.

How big will the braided hibiscus flower grow?

Braided hibiscus can grow up to 6 feet tall and 4 feet wide, but don’t worry if you want to keep it indoors with frequent pruning, these braided hibiscus can easily be stored to a more manageable size.

Take note: For potted plants, you should prune them more often to encourage more shoots and flowers

Hibiscus pests and diseases and their treatment 

1. Check the plants regularly to see if there are signs of pests on your hibiscus plants.
2. If so, treat it immediately with a commercial or homemade insecticide at the first sign of a pest population nesting in your hibiscus.
3. Then what are the signs if hibiscus is attacked by pests such as aphids, spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies. look for the following signs:

• Flowers fall prematurely
• Flower buds fail to bloom
• Growing shoots turn brown
• Sticky substance in the soil and on the lower leaves

Leaf diseases that are often experienced by hibiscus are:

• Gray mushroom
• Powdery mildew
• Downy mildew.

Visible signs:

• On the leaves or shoots will appear as yellow, white or gray spots which can cause the shoots to not develop and fall off before blooming (inhibited growth).
• If your hibiscus is experiencing this use a fungicide to treat early signs of leaf disease to keep the tree in its best condition.