Luna Red (Hibiscus)
Latin Name: H. moscheutos
Item #: 5006002
Difficulty:
Challenging
Suitable for Containers:
Yes
HIBISCUS
Tender perennial - hardy to zone 5
Approx 2,400 - 2,800 seeds per oz/28 g
CULTURE: Both the Luna and Honeymoon hybrids should flower the first year from a Jan 15 - Feb. 1 sowing. Both varieties have scarified seed (rubbed seed), which speeds up germination from 20 days to 5 or 10 days. Use a well-drained soil-less medium with a pH of 5.5-6.3. Cover seed lightly with medium vermiculite and germinate at 70-75°F/21-24°C for 5-10 days in a seed flat, 200 cell plug tray or larger. Keep seedlings moist and air temperatures at 70-75°F/21-24°C until transplanting. Fertilize plants @ 200-250 ppm with a complete fertilizer. To speed up plant growth - begin forcing at the 4-9 true leaf stage. Growth retardants like B-9 or Alar @ 2,500 ppm are effective to keep plants from stretching. Extra day length (14-16 hour days) speeds up flowering. Under normal winter day-length in the northeast add 4 hours of light from 10 p.m. - 2 a.m. @10 foot candles or 1,000 lux. Plants require a minimum of 12 hours of light per day to initiate flowering. Transplant into gallon containers with clay or mineral soil mixed with soil-less media. The clay will prevent plants from becoming too wet (do not over water- this will reduce the natural flowering cycle). The extra weight of the clay will help provide wind tolerant containers.