The hardy hibiscus is putting out daily blooms! It is worth spraying for Thrips to see these glorious huge flowers. I’m still just using a mixture of Neem oil, Peppermint oil, and Castor soap in water, but now spraying twice a week.

I think I can get one more planted in that area. Hm.

I have been diligently using clean shears to remove the spent blooms on our hearty hibiscus. I’ve read that Thrips get to the dirt when the blooms fall, and there can complete their life cycle. So any damaged or finished bloom needs to go before it falls. As I was clipping, I had one come off in my hand before the scissors could touch the stem. What? Upon closer inspection I noticed a node in the stem about an inch down from the bloom. On every bloom and bud. It takes very little effort to snap off the end at this natural weak point. Neat. No remembering to bring the scissors, I can just pop off the old buds each day as I walk by.

We are getting less Thrip interrupted buds and more blooms daily. The blooms only last a day, so many opportunities to snap stems at the nodes.

Hurray! The hearty hibiscus bloomed!

We have not won the battle with the Thrips, as I had to cut off several buds that were thrip damaged. If the bud opens, but doesn’t burst forth, I assume thrips are to blame. I cut these damaged buds off and throw them away to disrupt the thrip life cycle (they need some dirt time). The Neem oil, Peppermint oil, and Castor soap solution helps some against the insect invasion, so I’ll continue the regimen. I’m not sure I want to delve into stronger methods at this point.