help to decide pot size! Hibiscus

[earth]

I bought Hibiscus 'miami' yesterday, it is a small 10 inches plant in 4.5inches X3.5 inches pot (it has been grown by grafting I guess...as there is a single brown stem from which fresh leaves and flower buds have popped up. I have 2 pot sizes :
1. 10inches X 9 inches
2. 8.5 inches X 7 inches

I have kept it in shade and I am planing to re-pot it. could you help me decide:
1. Does it need re-potting now or should I leave it for some time in its old pot.
2. Which size pot is better to use?
3. Also if u could tell me any tips how to keep it healthy.

thanks..help I dnt want this plant to die because of my mistake

[img]https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3811318129_53b1b27859.jpg[/img]

[img]https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2505/3811357763_a0188ac4b8.jpg[/img]

[plkelly]

Can you get the whole thing, root ball and all in one piece, to see if it is root bound? If it isn't it probably doesn't need to be repotted, or you can wait until it stops blooming.

Generally, you don't want to go up more than a pot size or two when repotting, unless it is really severely root bound.

[earth]

thanks..I will check the roots !

[vintagejuls]

Pot sizes are typically 4", 6", 8" and 10". When repotting a plant, it is best to only go up to the next size so you would want a 6" pot not an 8".

Whether or not it is rootbound, it still may be a good idea to repot it since it is getting so tall. But again, go up just one size.

[earth]

thanks vintagejuls

I have a picture of the roots! Is this what we call root-bound!

[img]https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xZzcZqjm-Oc/SoRdaMNuXiI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/25Hb8hgZRyE/s320/DSCN5053.JPG[/img]

[img]https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xZzcZqjm-Oc/SoRdehwH7KI/AAAAAAAAAIY/DkgF3dveNto/s320/DSCN5054.JPG[/img]

[img]https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xZzcZqjm-Oc/SoRdVpTSExI/AAAAAAAAAII/SbW6aIAY0MI/s320/DSCN5052.JPG[/img]

[vintagejuls]

Almost; getting close. If you want to repot, use the next size large - 6" pot.

Are your long term plans to plant in the ground? Hibiscus is a flowering shrub...

[earth]

no vintagejuls, I plan to keep it in pot itself as I live in an apartment and have only a patio for gardening.

I will re-pot it I 6" pot, thanks

[vintagejuls]

Oh, it will be lovely on your patio.

As long as I've been 'gardening', for the past 30 years, with the exception of the past 9 years, my garden was containers on a patio or balcony. I love container gardening and still have many on my patio in my back yard. Plus, I have a landscaped yard; up to my eyeballs in gardening! But it's therapeutic for me...

Well, enjoy your new plant. As your plant looks really healthy, have another pot ready in about 6 months to repot again.

[Susan W]

Hibiscus doesn't need to be slightly root bound to flower. They are tropical here, but some people put them in the ground for summer enjoyment, or in vary large planters with other stuff around the shrub. They also need sun to flower. They bloom on the end of the branch, and can get leggy. If a branch is too long, cut it back, well after it blooms!
Enjoy it!

[earth]

it bloomed today

vintagejuls...these little plants are therapeutic for me as well. Every morning I wake up the first thing I do is run to my patio. My husband feels I dnt even care to see where he is early morning anymore

Susan..thanks, I will keep it in sun few hours a day thanks!