Question
I have several potted hibiscus which have bloomed beautifully for several years. This year there are few blooms on some and no blooms on the others.  I read somewhere that potted hibiscus have a finite lifetime in pots and should be discarded after about 5 years. Is this true?  Thanks!  Harry Johns   Coldspring, Texas

Answer
Speaking from my own experience... I had four beautiful hibiscus in containers for about eight years. They were due to be potted up to a 20 inch pot. Instead, I planted them in a wet, part sun, rich soil, area in the yard of one of my landscape clients. They bloomed better then ever, and grew large, and robust. From this I learned that they are indeed nice in containers for many years, but if you want to see them at their best then find a perfect spot in the garden, and stand back.
I believe that the lack of vigor in your plants are indeed, that they need to come out of the pots, and into some nutrient rich new soil.