Crimson Kiss

[Doll]

Charlie do have any more pics of this one. It looks like one that probably holds its color even in the heat. Or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

[Charlie]

Hi John, I'm not sure which photo you've seen but I only have 2 of them on my computer. Which is strange since it blooms all the time. Great bush. Makes me think I have the cross information wrong - Erin Rachel x Midnight Blue. The color is in the range I see for Midnight Blue babies when they do not turn out to be blue. But, neither of those 2 parents has a good bush while Crimson Kiss is almost garden variety style in how good the bush is. One of them in an 8 inch pot has grown so many roots that the root ball has expanded to be a couple inches above the top of the pot!

And yes, if memory serves it is very color fast. I will have to check that out today but if it does fade it's not a lot. It also roots well.

So what's wrong with it? The flowers are 5 to 7 inches and when first opening are somewhat reflexed as the photo below shows. Otherwise, this variety has just about all the qualities I am looking for in new hybrids. I need to bring one to the hybridizing area and cross it with others that have larger, flatter flowers.

Charlie

[Doll]

Reflexed might be good for me. I have had problems with some varieties not wanting to open more than halfway. BonTemps and Living Legend have been the worst. But fall weather arrived today in Houston so I will soon see if it was only the heat that was causing the problem.

[davidwood]

I made a discovery today that may be blindingly obvious to many but came as a shock to me, and with your blooms not fully opening i thought i would mention. Think Pink opened this morning, well shall i say try to open, it just would not stay open even with a little help from me, then quite by accident i sprayed a fine mist of water over the bloom and bingo,it fully opened and has stayed open,looks truly wonderfull as well.

[Doll]

Thanks for the tip. I will try that and see if it works.

[Charlie]

I've never heard that one, either, David. It probably matters why the bloom is not opening but its sure worth a try. I have a very pretty new seedling that is driving me nuts because the buds don't open half the time and I'll try it on that one to see if it makes a difference.

Charlie

[Doll]

I tied this yesterday on a Piña Colada bloom but it didn't work. I think some varieties need morning sun in order to open completely.