Owing to the loss of water and inorganic nutrients resulting from the considerable loss of the root system during transplant, your hibiscus may wither and die. So, what can be done here? In today’s article, we will discuss the most common physiological growth disorder observed while repotting or transplanting hibiscus plants and how you can deal with it.
Transplant Shock In Hibiscus
Oftentimes while repotting Hibiscus, the sudden physical shift gives them a shock, otherwise known as root shock.
In general, plants are supposed to grow in one place and develop deep roots in the process. But when you transplant them, their roots suffer a shock, and that’s why you may observe that your plant wilts immediately after repotting.
This is more prevalent in plants where a large portion of the root system is severed and then replanted in a new location. To add to this, the loss of biomass around the roots significantly affects the physiology of the plant until an adequate root system is restored.
This loss, accompanied by underwatering leads to the syndrome commonly referred to as transplant shock. Hibiscus plants that have suffered such shock will exhibit stunted growth with a general loss of vigor.
Does Hibiscus Transplant Well?
For any plant, a good soil with the right mix of nutrients is prerequisite for it to flourish. Only under this condition it can develop, grow and bloom. But in addition to the soil, sufficient light and water are equally important so as to ensure optimal growth. That said, if the soil in a pot gets too old, its vitality and nutrients get depleted. Transplanting and repotting is therefore of great importance for potted plants.
Hibiscus is no different here and grows magnificently after transplanting. In fact, regular transplanting and repotting is part of optimal care and is the only way to ensure that the roots get sufficient space to expand.
And while Hibiscus can be transplanted at any time of the year, it is important to note that the chances of success are much lower in colder temperatures, when it is difficult for the roots to absorb vital nutrients.
It is therefore recommended to transplant or repot only in spring and autumn, because in these periods Hibiscus adapts to the new conditions pretty much comfortably and revives back within 5-7 days.
Why Is My Hibiscus Dying After Transplant?
Transplanted plants usually do not have a well-developed root system. This is because the roots often get damaged during repotting, resulting in root shock.
But if you have repotted pretty much cautiously and the plant is still showing obvious signs of transplant shock, such as wilting or yellowing, it means that the plant is deliberately letting the leaves die as it just doesn’t have enough water to keep them going.
Perhaps the most common cause of this problem is the presence of loose soil substrate around the root ball. So, while you can press down the top layer of soil with your bare hands to give the roots a stable foundation – you need to make sure that the plant can absorb enough water from the very beginning.
After all, transplant shock is nothing more than water stress. And that is exactly why watering immediately after transplanting is so important, not only for hibiscus, but for any plant in this case.
If you notice dry soil around your pot, then most likely this is the main cause of the sudden death of your Hibiscus plant. And to address such a situation, submerge the pot completely in a bucket of water until all the air bubbles have escaped from the pot. This will ensure that the root ball is completely surrounded by the new soil, allowing it to successfully adapt. Thereafter, place the plant in partial shade for a few days until your hibiscus has fully recovered from the shock.
Remember that repotting is an intensive process, it is always a good practice to do it when the plant is strong and has the strength to recover.
Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow After Transplant
Yellowing of the leaves due to transplant shock resolves after the first few days, when the plant is accustomed to the new soil. However, if the problem persists, this is clearly a sign of root damage.
There is even a possibility that the soil is too wet which is why the roots are unable to absorb nutrients.
Also, check if the previous soil was soggy, as this may have already killed the roots before transplanting.
Or it is possible that you pruned the roots too much.
But if none of these apply, then it’s probably due to improper watering. I always water quite thoroughly for the first 2 days after repotting, and then wait until the soil is dry to a depth of 2 to 3 inches.
So, if you followed the same procedure, but then watered every day, the roots may be too wet to act normal. This can be determined by smelling the soil (a slight odor may indicate root rot).
When the roots rot, fewer nutrients are absorbed from the soil, and the first signs of deficiency show up in the form of yellow leaves.
I would also delay fertilizing for the time being (at least for the first 3 weeks). This is because the fresh soil is already loaded with nutrients. Overfertilizing can in turn burn the roots, which can cause the leaves to fade.
Repotting a plant with yellow leaves can make the problem worse. The best way to overcome this kind of shock is by taking proper care of the plant.
In short, do not fertilize, do not water too much and do not move the plant from one place to another. After getting accustomed with the new soil, the plant will recover and start producing new leaves.
What Causes Transplant Shock In Hibiscus?
Transplant shock is caused by several reasons. Commonly, this kind of stress is observed in plants that are just not yet ready for shifting.
Any hibiscus plant which is to be transplanted must have these characteristics:
- The number of leaves must be at least 15 or more
- The color of the leaves must be completely green
- The plant must not be too young, otherwise the root ball would be too weak for this change
Also, the transplanting soil must have the right characteristics: Inadequate soil is one of the primary reasons of transplant shock in Hibiscus.
- The soil must be moist
- It must be soft to facilitate root growth
- It should not be infested with pests or treated with harsh chemicals
And lastly, care should be taken while fertilizing, which should be done only after first few weeks of transplant. Most importantly, DAP should not be used on Hibiscus because it contains high levels of ammonia, which, once dissolved in the soil, would make it unfavorable for this plant.
Things that can go wrong while transplanting Hibiscus
- Picking the wrong potting soil
- Inappropriate location
- Over or Underwatering
- Over-fertilization
- Pest infestation
- Unfavorable climate
How Long Does It Take For A Transplanted Hibiscus To Recover?
A delicate phase follows right after repotting, during which the plant must get used to the new conditions. So, it is normal for transplanted hibiscus to experience a little shock as it takes some time to fully recover and grow with renewed vigor.
If after transplanting you notice that some of the leaves have lost their color or are a little out of shape and drooping, it’s nothing to worry about.
Provided you’ve done everything right, your hibiscus plant will recover from this stress in just 2-3 weeks. However, with large hibiscus trees, it can take up to a year or more before they recover from the transplant shock completely (noticeable by a low flowering rate).
How Do I Revive A Transplanted Hibiscus?
Provided you chose to transplant in a suitable climate (for example, during the spring season), then in most cases, your hibiscus will revive on its own after a few days and adapt to the new soil conditions. As delicate as the flowers may appear, the plant itself is quite resilient.
However, under adverse conditions, harsh winters for instance, the plant may not be able to adapt to the new environment. And although there are many situations in which this can happen (which we have already discussed above), there are certain measures you can take to prevent it from happening.
Ethylene, a plant hormone, is released from plants as and when they are injured or under considerable stress, something very common while transplanting. However, excessive amount of this hormone can lead to leaf drop. Any synthetic plant growth regulator constituting 1-Methylcyclopropene can be used as a fertilizer which irreversibly binds to the ethylene receptors thereby blocking ethylene from causing damage.
However, such products are not available online in small quantities, as they are mainly used in large-scale Agri-farms. Plus, they are quite expensive to use especially in case of hobby gardening. This is why it is ideal and economical to stick with alternates.
One of my personal favorites is Miracle-Gro quick start planting & transplant starting solution, which costs only about $14 for a 1.4-liter bottle. Around 1/2 capful mixed with 3 liters of water is just about enough on the very first day. You can repeat the same process after 7 days if need be.
Alternately, if you don’t feel like buying a dedicated product just for repotting, Epsom salt can be used on hibiscus both before and after transplanting.
For this you need to mix around 5 grams of Epsom salt into the new soil and water the next day with the same quantity. Magnesium present in Epsom salt activates the process of photosynthesis and facilitates the absorption of phosphorus from the ground to the tip of the leaves.
Of course, you can also mix a teaspoon of this salt in water and pour it directly into the soil in case you have not added it during transplant.
Advice: You cannot restore the photosynthetic process of Hibiscus by adding sugary water. This is a myth and does not really help in any way. Sugar produced by plants is a monosaccharide, while the sugar we normally consume is a polysaccharide, and is impossible for plants to metabolize.
How Do I Know If My Hibiscus Has Been Revived From Transplant?
There is nothing more to do than to observe the condition of the leaves and buds. If the leaves are not dried up (wrinkled appearance) and the buds are not dry (pale yellow color), it means that your plant is recovering from the stress.
Other than this, you will see that your hibiscus looks like it is already gaining strength 2 or 3 days after successful transplanting. And even if the leaves still remain a bit limp, the plant will, on the whole, look the same as it did before you repotted it.
Please note that after repotting, Hibiscus needs to develop more roots to take hold of the fresh soil. And this usually takes time, so you should wait a couple of weeks before making a final diagnosis.
How Often Should I Water Newly Transplanted Hibiscus?
Once you have repotted or transplanted your hibiscus, it is important that you water the plant thoroughly. This will ensure that the soil substrate settles all around the roots and the plant has a good hold in the new environment.
To do this, continue to water until it begins to drain out of the pot’s holes. In this way, any kind of air gap in the soil is eliminated, thus permitting the roots to absorb all of its nutrients.
This procedure, however, should be done only once or twice, after which you will need to resume normal watering, depending on the weather. In order to get an in-depth detail, read this article on how often you should water your Hibiscus plant.
Summary
The effects of transplant shock on Hibiscus depends on the location, climate and the type of potting soil you choose. The new environment must resemble the previous one and your hibiscus should receive just the right amount of sunlight to thrive successfully.
Secondly, repotting technique should be accurate as well to minimize shock.
And lastly, the newly chosen soil should be free of pests. In the case of pots, their size must be chosen based on the plant height and should have proper drainage holes beneath. For more information, read this article on determining the ideal pot size for hibiscus plants.
That is all for now – Happy gardening!
