Need help identifying this wilting plant :(

[gypsyjenkins]

This plant was given to me by a lady who was moving, I completely forgot what she said it was. It was in a container and she said it liked sun. So, I planted it in a sunny spot in my yard and have been watering it every day (it's been around 70 every day so fairly warm). Yet, it's just wilting.

I believe she said that it flowered, though I can't remember much more than that. Please help me save this plant! I'm afraid to move it again since it's only been planted for about a week, and I'm not sure if too much sun is the problem.

Thanks for your help :)

Chris

[Newt]

Hi Gypsyjenkins,

If you are watering daily you must live in the desert.* Sounds like it's wilting from too much water.* Water deeply once a week if you don't get an inch of rain.* It would help if you put down 2" of mulch to help retain moisture and keep the soil cool.

I can't tell what it is but my guess would be a tropical hibiscus.* Once it flowers it will be easier to tell and you can post a picture then.* Where does this plant grow?* Are you in the US?*

Here's a picture of one of many hundreds of hibiscus.* Take a look at the leaves.
http://www.phoenixtropicals.com/hibiscus.html

Newt

[gypsyjenkins]

Hi, I'm in San Jose, CA. It hasn't rained a single day since I planted it, and the weekend that I did plant it it was in the 90s. The leaves are shriveling up and seem very dry, so that's why I figured it wasn't getting enough water...(I haven't been watering that much every day, but I just seeded my lawn and have been watering that quite often) I'll do what you said and back off on watering in the area where it's planted & put down some mulch.

I checked out some hibiscus pictures and it looks like that could be what it is. It's planted in full sun -- at least 6 hours a day. Is that ok?

Thanks!

[Newt]

Leaves are expendable to shrubs and trees and they will shed them in times of severe stress.* It sounds like you planted on a very hot day, didn't water deeply enough and didn't mulch.* I don't think you mentioned how long it's been since you planted it, but the shrub will probably shed the dried up leaves and it will concentrate on establishing it's roots.* New leaves should start to appear in 3 to 4 weeks if it wasn't too shocked.* Here's how to grow tropical hibiscus.
http://loyno.edu/~gerlich/NOHS/care.html

I get you in hardiness zone 9.* You can check with this zip code zone finder.
http://www.gardenweb.com/zones/zip.cgi

You'll probably have to water weekly for several months if you don't get an inch of rain a week until the shrub establishes itself.* You may need to pull back the mulch in a small area from time to time to check the moisture level.* Poke your finger into the soil up to your second knuckle.* If it's dry, time to water.* Just make sure you water deeply each time so the roots will go down deeper into the soil.

Newt

[gypsyjenkins]

Thank you so much! It's been almost two weeks since I planted it. I thought I watered deeply enough that day, but I probably didn't... and definitely didn't add the mulch. I will get right on it. Thanks again for your help!

[Newt]

You are so very welcome!* I do hope it survives.* If it is a hibiscus they can be sensitive to watering conditions.*

Good luck,
Newt