It’s still too early to move tropical hibiscus outdoors
Q: Last year, I purchased two tropical hibiscus plants and three geraniums that lived in pots on my patio all summer long. I learned, much to my surprise, that the hibiscus weren’t the hardy types I thought I was looking for, so ended up bringing everybody in for the winter. Fast-forward to now, I want the space I’ve given them back. I’m so ready to get them all back outdoors on the patio. I’m tickled that every one of the plants has survived through the winter months, and the geraniums even flowered for me a couple of times. The hibiscus have put on several more leaves, making them a bit larger than they were when they first came in, but all in all they are doing pretty good. My question is when can I put everyone back outside? — N.S., Albuquerque
A: This time of year, with the lengthening daylight hours, we’re all ready to get back outside, but I want you to practice patience for several more weeks.
The average last frost date for the Albuquerque area is April 17. That’s a full three weeks away. So please, patience.
If you wanted to, you could go ahead and repot all of your treasures now while they are still indoors, offering brand new potting soil for them to live off of for this coming growing season. Remember, you want to use potting soil, not garden soil. It won’t do any harm to wait until they are moved before repotting, but if you have the room to do this chore now, go for it.
As to the hibiscus having grown a bit, you could give them a pruning up now too. Snipping off about a third of the stems will help keep them more tidy looking. It’ll be best that you leave one to two sets of true leaves on the stems, so keep that in mind before you go giving a harsh haircut.
You don’t say what size pots the hibiscus are in but as the weather gets nicer, and the pots aren’t too heavy you could, on really pleasant days, take everyone outside remembering to bring them back in at night. That hardens them off, allowing them an easier transition to living back outside full-time when the time is right. Just know, the time is not right yet.
If the daytime temperatures are hovering at a consistent 55 degrees, then they can go out for the day. Just remember to get them back indoors at night. That’s why I ask how big the pots containing the hibiscus are. If they are large and heavy, you certainly don’t want to have to lug and fight with them each evening or, worse yet, forget them and take the big chance of harming them. Me? No matter how much I want to get my sheltered plants back outside, I wait until the first weekend in May, yes May, to set them outdoors.
Then, I’m a weather watcher, so all is not lost on a surprise late frost.
If you’ve lived here in this area for a long time, like me, you have seen it snow on Mother’s Day. Again, please be patient, offer fresh potting soil if you’re of a mind, and know that soon enough you’ll get to regain all the space you have offered your overwintering plants.
Q: I have always admired Easter lilies. Now I have a yard and want to know if I can plant them outside after I’ve enjoyed their blooms. Is that possible? — L.L., Albuquerque
A: Lilium longiflorum, or Easter lilies, can be planted after you’ve enjoyed them indoors, but like the answer above, I wouldn’t plant them any time before the last week of April, and that’ll be weather dependent too. I’ve got a bit more reading to do, so more on this process next week.
Meanwhile, Happy Easter while you’re out there Diggin’ In!