What does it take?

[CaliChameleon]

I live in California where no hibiscus grow but they have them at Home Depot and I just want to know is it possible to have one in my chameleon's cage successfully? And if so what do I need to do to make it live? Thank you

 

[VanessaS]

I'm in CA too. I have a 5.0 bulb and a 50 w basking bulb along with a mister. My hibiscus is not 100% happy... It's green but most of the buds fall off before the flowers open : /

 

[erik775]

im in california too..i think a grow light will work...i havent tried it yet but im using a grow light in a cage rite now for a ficus,ive had about 3 or 4 fiucs trees die in me already...

 

[Zen Reptiles]

The OP is a poet.

What Does It Take
by CaliChameleon

I live in California where no hibiscus grow
but they have them at Home Depot
and I just want to know
is it possible to have one in my chameleon's cage successfully [yo]?

And if so,
what do I need to do to make it live? Thanks [bro!]


---Au Contraire! There are many kinds of hibiscus, I have one in my backyard in a zone 4-5 in Canada. It's called 'rose mallow' and they come in many hybridized varieties that are very hardy, and nontoxic (from what I can find).

If you are talking about the Home Depot ones as your only option, goodluck. They will always be finicky indoors and will need very intense lights, warmth, and humidity to thrive year round.

http://www.trop-hibiscus.com/gindr.html

If you want the best chance of having healthy, vigorous plants with flowers next summer, your plants need to rest indoors during the shorter days from October till Feb. or March. DO NOT push them to keep blooming indoors and leave them full of old foliage.

 

[garcia031]

Hey fellas... What i found out is that u need a good light source so that the plans can be some what happy. If ur serious aabouot it i RECOMEND An ARCADIA light... I also Live in CA

 

[mcbdz]

You could have 2 or 3 plants and switch them out so they don't spend all there time inside. That is what I will try. My hibiscus love the sun outside so will just switch with each cage cleaning. (That's the plan anyway.)
Pattie

 

[Psychobunny]

These were everywere when I lived in FL. Now I am in MD, and cant keep one alive more then a few months no matter what I do.

Fake plants 4 me!! even I cant kill those

 

[CaliChameleon]

Really well so will a couple of plant lights help it grow? I have misting system and all that but hopefully if I get a couple of plant lights it can help it anyone else?

 

[Ewome]

I live in canada and I've had a hibiscus plant in my room for the last two months. It doesn't need to live outdoor if it gets a resonable amount of light. I need to water mine every day, I saw only one flower to date but it looks great.

 

[d3s5]

I have three large hibiscus plants under grow lights. One stopped blooming about a month ago. The other two are still giving me at least two to three blooms a day.

 

[garcia031]

What psycobunny is saying is a good and inexpensive idea as fa as rotating ur plants in and out of the cage. The plant light would help but the Hibiscus seems to need the real thing (sun Light). And as far as the Arcadia Light goes, u'll notice that ur cam's colors will cahnge for the good. (more vibrant)

 

[mjhough]

Plant lights will help a lot. I live up in Washington and mine thrives im currently using t-8 6700 k rating plant lights. If you have the $ for the Arcadia get it! I've read nothing but great things about it. Buut mine are working just fine. I mixed my potting soil with some fine sand and have a 2 inch layer of sand on top to help keep the soil dry. I water a couple times a wk on top of my 3 mistings a day.. try and cut it back if it seems to be weak

 

[busterboy]

If you end up getting it! Watch for gnats ! Those little bastards are slick, sneaky, and will be infested in your champs cage by the time you wake up next morning! I know from reading everyone's experience lol I only have fake plants and driftwood