August flowers of the day.

[Charlie]

Uli, I agree about Snowstorm. It's one of my favorite blooms and a big disappointment that it won't root reliably or grow well on its own roots. On the positive side that means I don't cut the wood so the plants of it get to bloom all summer. It will be grafted this year when the root stock is ready.

You make a good point about the impact the blooms make when seen in person. Some are more photogenic than others and some of the best are not the best in photos. White eyes in hibiscus have always been very rare and I only had a small number until Saffron turned out to be such a good parent and one that passes on the white eye fairly often.

This coming year we will be evaluating several yellow flowers with white eyes. They vary in the shade of yellow and the size of the eye and in the "fanciness", a term for the ruffles and tufts along the outer edges of each hibiscus petal. They will also vary in how well they propagate and in growth habit, number of flowers, and size of both plant and flower. I'm not sure which one you saw at the Open House, possibly Cashmere Yellow but more likely it was one of the other new ones that is yellow with a white eye. Below are photos of some of these but of course they won't show the other qualities or the intangibles that seeing the blooms in person reveals.

Charlie

[Charlie]

2 more yellows with white eye - this includes one with just a touch of color in the white to give it distinction.

CB

[Charlie]

Dave, thanks for the update on Rainbow Sherbet. Odd things happen with hibiscus blooms sometimes, often related to Roundup spray drift but others things can cause it, too.

I'm glad Cindy's Heart is lasting 2 days, and am still curious as to why it has such variability.

Creole Lady will be available in smaller size next year. I like growing them in 2 gallons first so that I can learn more about a variety that I did not hybridize before offering it. The consensus seems to be that most everyone likes the colors of the flower and the bushes do grow nice and full, although some pruning is probably needed to keep them from getting leggy.

Thanks for the response about Navajo Mountain. I never know if people like some of the unusual flowers unless they let us know - it's appreciated. Thanks to Kristen, too, for the same response.

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

Charlie,

The Cosmic Gold x CDLC is the stick out of the bunch for me.  It looks exquisite and is probably exponentially better in person.   Its pedigree is also sound, if that one isn't commercial then you could always send it me    

[Doll]

I like the Cosmic Gold x CDLC the best also.

[Pachrian]

Add another 2 thumbs up for CG x CDLC  

I'm so glad to hear that Snowstorm will be coming...not anytime soon, but that's ok. I'll wait and try to enjoy the anticipation. As  soon as it comes out I want one though!

In the meantime I have 13 cv's that I bought at 4" plants in the last few months that haven't bloomed yet. Some are close while others will have a bit more growing to do before they should even think about producing flowers. There's always *something* to be excited about.

Dave, you mention the heat where you live and Creole Lady together in one post. CL does not seem to like the heat at all. For a few days last week temps here rose into the 90s and she let her leaves hang even though she's in the shade. Still bloomed though



CL in its 3rd color scheme, on day 2.

Edited to add Voodoo Magic:

[roadrunner]

I like all seven of those Charlie but my top vote based on bloom alone also goes to CG X CDLC.  A close 2nd is SP X Enlighten. 

I really like Cashmere Yellow and keep missing it when it's become available in the store.

dave

[Doll]

Love Story - Kept in filtered sun location.

[roadrunner]

Uli great pics of CL and VM.

Is your CL a recent purchase that may still be adjusting to being outside?  If it is indeed a heat sensitive cultivar that's definitely something for me to consider though we do get a lot of cooler cloudy and stormy days during our rainy season from July thru much of September. We can also hit 100 when the monsoon flow takes a few days off.

dave

[Pachrian]

I bought it about 6 weeks ago, could be more. It's a pretty mature looking 2 gallon plant from Armstrongs, the only one I ever bought there. I honestly don't know how long they had it sitting outside. However, we were struggling to get into the 70s all summer and were suddenly hit with the heat, so I can't blame her for having droopy leaves by early afternoon.

If I remember correctly other people here have mentioned too that it is heat sensitive.

[Darkhorse]

My CL has adapted to the heat, although at first it was really unhappy here.  I have it on the north side of the house that gets shade during the hottest part of the day, so that probably helps.






@%$@#, I missed Blushing Maiden again yesterday!! 

[helixturnhelix]

I really is fascinating that each CV likes different conditions. 

For example My Blue Heaven seems to really dislike more than three or four hours of sun because it will start to wilt.  Dragon's Breath also hates heat, anything over 90 degrees it gets mad and starts to lose leaves.  Its amazing how much better Dragon's Breath does indoors than outdoors.  It is one that likes consistent light, moisture and temperature which is why it is deemed one of the more difficult varieties.  For me it has responded very well to pruning, just look at how full the bush is becoming! I am really looking forward to the show it is going to put on as soon as it starts to bud up.  This one is worth the extra work

[roadrunner]

I love the Dragon's Breath flower but still haven't gotten the courage to give it a try based on it's reputation of being finicky and difficult to grow.  Yours is looking great.

dave

[Charlie]

Nice bush, Chris! Here's hoping for a good bloom season for Dragon's Breath!

Thanks for all the yellow flower comments. The one several people liked - Cosmic Gold x CremeDLC, has already rooted at a fairly high rate. Not much wood was available but something like 6 out of 8  cuttings rooted which means stock plants are growing now and more wood will be available by years end.

Charlie

[blupit007]

My vote is for the first CG X CDLC bloom!  When I saw it my jaw dropped!  Then when I saw that everyone else's response was the same, I got all excited because that means that you may start sticking some wood in dirt and I may be able to have one of my very own someday!!  EEeee!!!

Uli, great photos!  I cant wait until my Voodoo Magic starts blooming.  What a looker!!  It is filling out nicely since I pinched it.  Is that typical for that cv?  To produce a really nice bush?