What is the real name of this garden Hibiscus.

[davidwood]

I had given up trying to Hybridise, its just to hot here, but I did have a go at doing it with the local garden Hibiscus, and I have a big fat seed pod growing. I crossed a pink one with a red one, or maybe even yellow I cant remember, either way I have been successful. But I was wondering what is the real name of this Hibiscus.
Being a garden variety is there any way possible I could cross with a Fancy Hibiscus.

[Doll]

David, garden varieties are just older more common hybrids. That pink one looks to be a variety called Seminole to me. And yes, you can cross the garden varieties with the newer fancy varieties.

[roadrunner]

One of Charlie's cultivars named Whisper Soft is such a cross coming from garden variety San Diego Yellow and Gator Pride. It is in his cultivars gallery and was if memory serves in the store for a while last year.

dave

[davidwood]

Doll and Dave thanks and that is great news, at least now by usuing a garden variety as a parent [the mum] I feel I have a chance to create something special. The temerature at the moment is about 100f in the shade and this seed pod is happily maturing in the blazing heat.

[blupit007]

David, I have some seedlings growing right now that I started from a garden variety crossed with a newer hybrid.  It is a good way to start.  Good practice. Also if you have Saffron, that one sets seed if another flower looks at it!!.... So, that is another one to practice with.

[davidwood]

David, I have some seedlings growing right now that I started from a garden variety crossed with a newer hybrid.  It is a good way to start.  Good practice. Also if you have Saffron, that one sets seed if another flower looks at it!!.... So, that is another one to practice with.

I do have Saffron but it makes little difference how good it sets seeds here in Nha Trang, its just to hot. This is why I am so happy and surprised that the garden variety seems to be setting seeds. I did read of a guy in Florida who had over 1000 unsuccessful crosses and then gave up for the same reason as me. Charlie says it needs to be below 70f to have success, well that happend  only 2 days last year, and even then for only a few hours. Still I am not complaining, and now knowing I have half a chance its quite exiting.

[Charlie]

David, your garden variety is similar to Seminole Pink although the eye and eye zone are not completely typical for that variety. There are so many variations on hibiscus throughout the world that it is hard to say with certainty.

In any case, Doll is right that all the garden varieties are just older varieties of the same type of hibiscus as our modern ones. They vary in how much influence the Hawaiian species have contributed because those that were discovered in Mauritius, India, and China and sent to Europe were not crossed with the Hawaiian species like many of our varieties are. Still, most are cross-compatible with each other and our modern ones so it is always worth trying.

To be successful in a very hot country you would have to use every trick in the book. Try crossing in the very early morning using pollen stored overnight in a refrigerator, place the pollinated plant in deep shade for the first couple of days, use cloudy days to advantage by crossing then, or spritzing the pollinated pads with water mist after making the cross. Your success rate will not be high but you could get some pods.

Growing and displaying hibiscus well is the main dish, so to speak, and hybridizing is experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes. Either or both are worth doing but from what you've shown us you have become quite adept at growing and displaying and we appreciate the photos you post!

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

I really like that analogy Charlie, kinda spot on


David good luck with those seeds.  Over time, you will eventually hybridize varieties that do well in your hot conditions, and you have a good start using varieties that already do well there.  Take lots of picks of your seedlings.