Hello Carol,
We recently put in a hibiscus tree (about 6 wks. ago) The flowers are beautiful and we have new blooms opening all the time. The problem is that the leaves dry up and fall off. Right now we have new leaves starting but after a few weeks, they also dry and fall off. Do you have any advice as to what we can do to solve this problem? Thanking you in advance for any help you can give me.

Estelle

Hello Estelle,
Planting new trees and shrubs is all about location and aftercare. A good location for a hibiscus tree will be:
-One where no other hibiscus has grown. Hibiscus are highly susceptible to nematodes (microscopic roundworms that feed on the roots of plants) and the populations of these beast build up in the soil.
-Well drained soil is a must, hibiscus will not grow in wet locations. Also prefers soil a little on the acid side.
-Full sun to part shade is the preferred light situation.
-Enough room to grow, Plant on at least 3 to 4 foot centers.

If the location you have chosen is good for hibiscus, there are some things that can be done to improve success at planting.
-Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the container and no deeper.
-Place plant in the hole so that the rootball is even or slightly higher than the natural ground level. Too deep smothers a plant & they can suffer a long death from this practice.
-Back fill the hole carefully with unamended soil and water while doing so. This is called "mudding in" and can help prevent air pockets. Air pockets can kill a plant too.
-Build a water ring at the edge of the hole.
****Irrigation is the key to successful transplanting and planting!!!!
---For the first 2 weeks or so, fill the water ring daily.
---Most automatic irrigation systems cannot do this successfully unless a temporary zone and/or heads have been installed specifically for this purpose.
---Use a hose and fill the ring with at least 2-3 gallons of water, enough to wet the planting zone, not keep it soggy.
---If the soil is still wet at the next scheduled irrigation, maybe it has rained, or your soil holds water, then skip that irrigation.
---For the next 30 to 60 days (the exact time will be different for each plant, look for new growth to move on to the next step) fill the water ring every other day.
---Finally, fill the water ring once per week until established. For small trees and shrubs (that is ultimate size, not planted size), that can be up to 6 months, for larger material up to one year. Let the plant's growth be your guide.

Estelle, I am fond of saying that hibiscus leaves will turn yellow and drop off every time Mother Nature says Boo!, that is if the weather has changed, from wet to dry, from warm to cool, whatever. But in your case, I would look at the depth of planting and the irrigation, planting too deep and too much water or not enough water per application are the most common causes of transplanting difficulty.

Good Luck & Happy Gardening,
Carol