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Dinner Plate Hibiscus

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From: Jim Ralston City: Shelbyville, IL
We recently purchased a home with a Hibiscus that had been cut back to the ground. It is now about 4 feet across and 3 feet tall, loaded with bloom. Should this bush be cut to the ground each Fall or what is proper pruning, feeding, etc. Please advise. Thank you very much
	Extension Message From: James Schuster Horticulturist and Plant Pathologist (Retired) schuster@illinois.edu
Allow the plant to go through winter and prune out only what does not survive the winter. Remaining live stems allows the plant to grow taller. If a short plant is desired. prune stems off to main trunk during the winter. Sometimes these plants freeze out if the soil freezes too hard. Consider mulching this plant after the ground starts to freeze. also these plants are prone to canker diseases that attack the main stem near the soil line - killing the plant.
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