Therapy needed, lots of questions and pics

14 years ago

Hello all, this is a long one.

As you know I am not new to Texas, not new to plants, but kinda new to putting plants in the ground and growing them.

With my 19yr old granddaughter in the hospital seriously ill with possible H1N1 and pnemonia, I need therapy.

I put my bogenvillas in the ground, south side of the house. They are very happy to be out of thier root bound pots. Suggestions as to what to do next appreciated. I have had them for 3 years, usually leave them outside, cut back, in an area I have designated for wintering my plants.

Next, Hibiscus. Not sure of the species, but here's a pic of a bloom, and a pic of the current status.

Should I cut back, root the cuttings, repot, fertilize? Not sure where I want to put it in the ground as of yet. Same wintering techniques as the bogenvillas have worked well.

{{gwi:564012}}

Next the shrimp plant. Just repotted only aquired it this summer. Should I cut it back, root the cuttings fertilize or just winter it as is? I do want to keep it in the pot for winter.

Now the gardenias. I purchased the first one early spring, had it in a hanging basket. Had to go out of town, it was neglected, but it came back. Just repotted. Do I cut it back, root the cuttings, fertilize, or just winter as is?

Here's a pic of the blooms when I bought it.

Here she is now. I am so proud of her.

{{gwi:49326}}

Now here is the other gardenia I rescued a few weeks ago, doing so well. Same questions.

{{gwi:49327}}

I apologize for the length and all the questions, but I plan to do as much outdoors as I can.

Thanks

Pat

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Comments (4)

treelover
14 years ago
Pat: I can't help you with your plant questions, but I do hope your granddaughter is doing okay.

I have a hibiscus with leaves that look like yours and I left it in its pot last winter because I didn't know if it was one of the hardy ones, or not. It did fine in a sheltered location, but seems so happy in its container, that I'm probably going to just leave it there. I was wondering about when to prune mine, too.

Your gardenias looks way healthier than mine. Gorgeous blooms!
0
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
14 years ago
Hi Pat! May I, along with all the others here who already have, extend a warm welcome to San Antonio! We are looking forward to meeting you at the Oct. 10 plant swap.

San Antonio has several microclimates in the city. The south side has very different growing conditions from the north, east from west, etc.. But even that is changing with our recent warmer winters.

I live on the NW side and here bougainvillias have frozen to the ground during the winter if planted in the ground. They took a long time to recover and it was late summer or fall before they bloomed after having grown to huge dimensions to match their root system.

In more recent years I've noticed that not all die back if planted near a warm wall. In that case they bloom early, but they are huge, which is beautiful if you have the room for them.

Here is a thread about the pros and cons of planting in the ground:

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/txgard/msg1108114515720.html

Bougies actually do very well when root bound in a pot. Here is a photo taken earlier this year of some of mine.

Here are some of this years photos of some growing in the ground on the south side of San Antonio:

The hibiscus looks like the tropical variety which may or may not survive if planted in the ground. If it is like last year when hardly anything froze back they will survive, but who knows for sure. If you want to be sure and preserve them you might try cutting it back, digging the root ball and storing it in a protected overwintering area. Or keep it in a pot and drag it out on warm winter days where it will probably bloom all winter.

The shrimp plant will do well if planted in the ground. They always come back and last year didn't even freeze back. They will tolerate medium dry shade and are great plants. I have four different kinds.

Gardenias are sometimes difficult to keep blooming even in ideal conditions. A lot depends on the variety. They like acid soil and even moisture and I've had the best luck planting them in soil, pot or ground, that has been heavily amended with peat moss. I can keep them going about three years that way, but others seem to have better luck than I have and perhaps can advise you.

I agree -- playing in the yard is great therapy in times of stress. I trust your granddaughter is well on the road to recovery.

Happy gardening!
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rock_oak_deer
14 years ago
texasfern posted on the Brugmansia forum that her granddaughter is doing much better and they plan to take her off the respirator today. There is still a lot of concern, but she is much better.
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texasfern
Original Author
14 years ago
Shirley, you are so sweet to post the update over here.
I have a hard time keeping up with everything.
Audry is definately doing better. She will probably go home on Monday or Tuesday.
Thanks so much and God Bless you all for your prayers and concern.
Treelover and Roselee thanks so much for the info.
With the stress easing and the weather cooperating, I plan to do what I can outside.
0

Therapy needed, lots of questions and pics

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roselee z8b S.W. Texas

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Therapy needed, lots of questions and pics

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roselee z8b S.W. Texas

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