Yes, you can always remove any dead, damaged or diseased wood from your hibiscus when you see it. To get the most blooms fertilize hibiscus in the spring when you see new leaves starting to emerge. I like to use a slow release plant food like Osmocote all purpose plant food. If the plant is in a pot then I also recommend using a liquid plant food like MiracleGrow. Now to keep your hibiscus from being damaged by frosty weather do no feed it after the month of August. You do not want to stimulate any new growth in late summer as this will be the most susceptible to frost damage. Here's to huge blooms this summer, Keep growing, Marianne Binetti