SAVOUR SOME REAL TROPICAL EYE CANDY
NO OTHER FLOWER SYMBOLISES THE TROPICS BETTER THAN THE HIBISCUS
In past centuries the search for useful plants drove many adventures to find and explore new lands. The exotic plants they discovered often brought them much wealth and the commodities they unearthed drove trade routes around the world.
The hibiscus, native to equatorial zones in Africa, India and the Pacific was of particular interest, as these early hunter-botanists found that this beautiful flowering plant not only was of great cultural significance to the native peoples of these new lands but it had medicinal properties and the flowers and leaves were edible.
More importantly, particularly at that time in history, they observed the bark of the hibiscus tree was used traditionally to make rope and caulking cordage; and this was essential to seafarers as wooden boats regularly required recaulking; (caulking is applied between the planks of ships to make them watertight).
Lost in time is the knowledge of the travellers who carried the first hibiscus plants back to their homelands but the medicinal use of the hibiscus plant in China and Arabia and the consumption of hibiscus tea, can be traced back to the earliest times of written history.
No other flower symbolises the tropics better than the hibiscus. It is the emblem of hot tropical days, youth, love and beauty. Perhaps it is because the flowers last only one or two days, that is why it is said to represent the transitory nature of love and youth.
Hibiscus growers know the heartache of growing some of the new hybrid varieties of hibiscus that are often prone to pests and diseases, especially in the coastal Wet Tropics.
Hibiscus black beetle becomes active as soon as warm spring days return. A spray using 1 litre of tea made from one cup of Thai basil leaves, mixed with one teaspoon of household detergent and one teaspoon of botanical oil, such as tea-tree oil, can be sprayed onto hibiscus leaves when the beetles are active. It is best to spray late in the cool of the afternoon.
This spray will also deter aphids, scale, grasshoppers, whiteflies and caterpillars, all of which like to feed on hibiscus. Apply every two weeks when pests are present and more frequently in wet weather.
Hibiscus Erinose mite is another pest that was introduced into Australia in the 1970s and can be devastating. The mite favours the new growth on Hawaiian hybrid hibiscus and tends not to affect the old garden favourite species.
Erinose mite causes the young leaves of the hibiscus to be distorted and develop pimpling as the mite injects compounds into the developing leaf. It’s the new leaves that are targeted by the mite and if pest damage is present the leaves and branches should be removed and burnt followed by a spraying regimen targeting mites such as neem leaf extract. Regular sprays of sulfate of potash, or epson salts will help to toughen up the leaves making the plant more resilient.
Rust and other fungal problems can be controlled by avoiding watering the plants in the latter part of the day and spacing the shrubs in the garden to achieve good airflow. Regular pruning to thin out dense foliage will also help. Hibiscus are surface rooters, so never dig closely around the shrubs. It is important to maintain a compost or mulch layer around the plants this will prevent damage to the fine roots in extreme rain events and act as an insulating layer to keep the plant’s roots cool in hot weather. Do not place the mulch too close to the trunk of the plant as this can cause stem rot. Hibiscus are easy to grow from semihardwood cuttings taken as the weather warm in spring. Prune last season’s tip cuttings to 20cm lengths and cut back leaves. Insert the cutting in damp sand to a depth of 15cm and keep moist and in the shade. New growth should appear within a month and be sufficiently rooted to be potted up into small pots within two months. Ensure new plants are free of pest and disease before planting out into the garden.