Small hibiscus- potting up or in- ground?

Tracydr · April 14, 2012

I just purchased 7 lovely hibiscus plants from an online tropical hibiscus store. They are in 4" pots. The instructions say to repot after two weeks to a 10" pot, no larger for the first year.
The store is located in a mild growing climate (San Diego). I'm growing these in Mesa, AZ. I've never had much luck with containers in the summer, especially small containers, due to roots getting too hot. I have no indoor space for 7 hibiscus and would really love to put these in their final home ASAP.
What is the reasoning behind going to such a small container for so long? Do I really need to do this? Wouldn't nice cool dirt in the ground be better?
I purchased El Capitolio, hibiscus Schizopetalus, and 3 hybrids ( Aztec Giant, Party Girl and Saffron).
I would love to get about 5-6 more, if these do well.
I'm also going to try cuttings next spring off these.

Sun City Linda · April 14, 2012

I dont know about Hibiscus but I grow a lot of potted geraniums year round where I live. They just get lost and rot out in bigger pots. They do better pot bound. Maybe Hibiscus is similar?

April 14, 2012	#1
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	Small hibiscus- potting up or in- ground? I just purchased 7 lovely hibiscus plants from an online tropical hibiscus store. They are in 4" pots. The instructions say to repot after two weeks to a 10" pot, no larger for the first year. The store is located in a mild growing climate (San Diego). I'm growing these in Mesa, AZ. I've never had much luck with containers in the summer, especially small containers, due to roots getting too hot. I have no indoor space for 7 hibiscus and would really love to put these in their final home ASAP. What is the reasoning behind going to such a small container for so long? Do I really need to do this? Wouldn't nice cool dirt in the ground be better? I purchased El Capitolio, hibiscus Schizopetalus, and 3 hybrids ( Aztec Giant, Party Girl and Saffron). I would love to get about 5-6 more, if these do well. I'm also going to try cuttings next spring off these.

April 14, 2012	#2
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 2,705	I dont know about Hibiscus but I grow a lot of potted geraniums year round where I live. They just get lost and rot out in bigger pots. They do better pot bound. Maybe Hibiscus is similar?