Hibiscus care

IDA DAGAN: Because we've got clay there and the hibiscus need good soil for drainage. They don't like wet feet at all.

The pH needs to be kept about 6, 6 and a half. Too high, you put the sulphur on it to bring it down - too low, you put the lime on it to bring it up.

COLIN CAMPBELL: Hibiscus are like me I think - they're gross feeders. How do you feed yours?

IDA DAGAN: Well I give them plenty of hibiscus fertiliser and sulphate of potash.

COLIN CAMPBELL: How often do you do the hibiscus fertiliser?

IDA DAGAN: Every couple of months.

COLIN CAMPBELL: And what else do you give them then?

IDA DAGAN: I give them fish emulsion and seaweed extract.

COLIN CAMPBELL: Mulch, of course, is a good idea in any garden, but with hibiscus, it's good because it keeps their roots cool, but make sure you keep it away from the stems to stop them from getting collar rot.

What's the main pest problems you have?

IDA DAGAN: The main pest problems is the black hibiscus beetle.

COLIN CAMPBELL: Ah yes. That's the one that gets into the buds and they fall off. A lot of people spray systemic insecticides I know, for that, but you've got other things cause hygiene's important isn't it?

IDA DAGAN: Yes. I go round every day and pick up all the dead buds and then take the dead flowers off the trees because they just breed from one flower to the next.

COLIN CAMPBELL: And you've got another secret weapon here too. The white margarine container.

IDA DAGAN: Yes. ¾ fill it with water and put a squirt of dishwashing liquid in it because that sticks to the beetle's wings and they can't fly out again.

COLIN CAMPBELL: So you put it on the ground, out in the open and they come to that - they're attracted to the white, and they can't swim.