We have a hibiscus in a self watering pot that is suddenly giving up the
ghost for no discernible reason. it has gone incredible droopy with many
of the leaves withering up.

it was not short of water at any point. i have examined the roots and they
seem alright, although in one or two places it might be the sheathing has
been nibbled or that it might have been some damage in getting the roots
out.

i was looking for weevil grubs, since i've had experience of them before,
but no sign of them. masses of small worms. any suggestions please as to
what might be going on?

"JWBH" wrote in message
...
We have a hibiscus in a self watering pot that is suddenly giving up the
ghost for no discernible reason. it has gone incredible droopy with many
of the leaves withering up.

it was not short of water at any point. i have examined the roots and
they seem alright, although in one or two places it might be the sheathing
has been nibbled or that it might have been some damage in getting the
roots out.

i was looking for weevil grubs, since i've had experience of them before,
but no sign of them. masses of small worms. any suggestions please as
to what might be going on?

Mine has done that too. No idea what's causing it other than being indoors
in winter. I will check the roots.

Andy.

Spider mites might be the problem. My wife has hers inside in a room with a
lot of added light, and has to spray them weekly with a mixture of 1
teaspoon of a liquid dish soap to a quart (liter) of water. She also turns
on the ceiling fan so it blows down on the plants in that room. Most little
bugs don't like to be anywhere that the wind blows. We turn it on at 7 AM
and off at 7 PM every day.

Dwayne (in Kansas)

"JWBH" wrote in message
...
We have a hibiscus in a self watering pot that is suddenly giving up the
ghost for no discernible reason. it has gone incredible droopy with many
of the leaves withering up.

it was not short of water at any point. i have examined the roots and
they seem alright, although in one or two places it might be the sheathing
has been nibbled or that it might have been some damage in getting the
roots out.

i was looking for weevil grubs, since i've had experience of them before,
but no sign of them. masses of small worms. any suggestions please as
to what might be going on?

"JWBH" wrote in message
...
We have a hibiscus in a self watering pot that is suddenly giving up the
ghost for no discernible reason. it has gone incredible droopy with many
of the leaves withering up.

it was not short of water at any point. i have examined the roots and
they
seem alright, although in one or two places it might be the sheathing has
been nibbled or that it might have been some damage in getting the roots
out.

i was looking for weevil grubs, since i've had experience of them before,
but no sign of them. masses of small worms. any suggestions please as
to
what might be going on?

Would it be possible that you have been home with the heating on more during
the Christmas holiday than normal? or did you go away and have the heating
off?
Red spider are another possibility, and many hibiscus are deciduous when
cold.

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collections of Clematis viticella (cvs) and
Lapageria rosea

On 2007-01-07 17:18:44 -0500, "JWBH" said:

We have a hibiscus in a self watering pot that is suddenly giving up the
ghost for no discernible reason. it has gone incredible droopy with many
of the leaves withering up.

You have given the reason. Tropical hibiscus need soil that drains
well. Your pot is keeping the soil soggy and killing the plant.

it was not short of water at any point. i have examined the roots and they
seem alright, although in one or two places it might be the sheathing has
been nibbled or that it might have been some damage in getting the roots
out.

Adding some humidity helps in a dry house. Misting occasionally, some
nearby water, etc.