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| IN PURSUIT OF THE ELUSIVE JAPANESE SILK FLOWER | |
| Published: October 18, 1997 | |
Hibiscus relative hard to find.Q:I am enclosing a picture of a plant that I hope you can help me identify. It is an annual that I purchased several years ago and have raised from seed ever since. It was listed in the catalog as Japanese silk flower. I believe that it is related to the hibiscus.Japanese silk flower and musk mallow are common names for Abelmoschus moschatus. Like the hibiscus, it is from the Mallow family. Is a tender perennial used as an annual which grows to 18 inches and blooms best in hot weather in full sun or partial shade. The flowers are red or pink with white centers, and look like hibiscus flowers. There are rod-like stamens that curve from the centers. The seeds are relatively new and are available from a limited number of seed companies. I havent seen transplants in the nurseries, but Ive heard that the plants are available in containers from some catalogs. Plant the seeds in early spring for bloom from July through frost. Japanese silk flowers reseed readily, so once you have a start, youre in business. Some directives for pruningQ:I have a lot of large spireas and abelias that are full of dead limbs. Would it be okay to cut the shrubs to within a foot or two of the ground?A:In January or February you can cut the abelias to that height and they will respond with a burst of new growth in the spring. Those who dont want such a drastic reduction can thin out the woody interior branches, allowing light inside and encouraging new growth in the shrubs interior. Pinch the branch tips back during the growing season to promote new lateral buds.If you prune the spireas back that drastically, you will ruin next springs bloom. Instead, as soon as the shrubs drop their leaves, remove one-third of their canes at ground level. Cut out the oldest and woodiest canes first, along with any that are dead or diseased. Repeat the procedure in fall for the next two years, and after three years, you will have completely renovated plants. Why Dolomitic lime?Q:I was very interested in Ted Schrades techniques for growing hibiscus and hope to follow his regimen which you described in an earlier column. One question: Why the Dolomitic lime? Hibiscus prefers an acid soil and lime promotes alkalinity.A:Good question! Ted answers: The planting medium is one-third pine-bark mulch. As the bark decomposes, the medium becomes more acid, sometime down to pH 4, when it should be between 6.5 to 7. Yellowing leaves is one indicator of this condition; however, testing the soil mixture twice a month with a kit gives an accurate reading.Application of lime raises the pH back to the proper level. Dont use ordinary lime, however. Dolomitic lime is in slow-release form and provides minor trace elements. |