farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #30 on: January 05, 2011, 05:09:15 PM » |
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Another gorgeous bloom from Black Dream. This time it has no pigmentation towards the eye so there are these beautiful white stretches. This plant is so awesome - every month it blooms in ways I wouldn't have anticipated.
I'm wondering if down the road a cross with Black Dream and something that could produce such a contrast in colors would be quite amazing. I've been reading a lot in the seedlings/hybridization forum lately. Oh-oh!
Also the Venetian Brick bloom isn't the prettiest but it first bloomed on 12-30 and is still here even with all the rain and wind. 6 days and counting...cool temps have there upside too.
Farmer D
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Louis
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« Reply #31 on: January 05, 2011, 05:13:09 PM » |
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farmer d, your plants are georgeous, with lots of nice new growth.
lots of envy here. i have to rethink living in the northeast
louis
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #32 on: January 05, 2011, 06:21:51 PM » |
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Louis,
I guess sometimes beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. I was totally blown away by your pic of Moonstruck and the frozen lake background. Talk about the ultimate color contrast shot, those colors just jumped out of my screen. Definite envy on my part.
This might sound crazy but if I lived in a climate like the northeast I'd be interested in looking into an indoor garden just for the hibiscus. When I say indoor I wonder if you can really plant them in planters, not pots. Raised bed planters maybe in a south facing, well windowed area. A crazy but exciting idea for a small add-on to a home...for me it would be my hang out 24/7. Imagine a winter garden party - now that would be different. I'd be wearing my Foster Grants for sure!
Add a few ceiling fans for air circulation and mist often with water to avoid indoor dry air issues. Other than that Charlie was right about daily fussing over the plants to keep them happy.
Just an idea from a creatively irrational mind.
Farmer D
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Yashodhara
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« Reply #33 on: January 05, 2011, 07:31:09 PM » |
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Hi Farmer D! You might want to re-think the whole "planters in the house" idea... Pots are sooo much easier to carry to the tub when it's bathtime (Winter heating + drier air = spider mites).  Even with all my plants in a single room with their own humidifier (with humidistat at 60%) and an oscillating fan, I still have to bathe them (in rotating sets of ten, over a two week period) all winter to keep the little beasts at bay. Too bad there isn't a "mite collar" for plants like flea/tick collars for pets! Deb  |
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #34 on: January 05, 2011, 08:42:35 PM » |
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I hear you regarding those @$@!? mites. Keep your fingers crossed regarding the Wilt Pruf. I sprayed all of my plants and so far so good. Not too mention the natural barrier it seems to create to really reduce moisture loss which is another time killer indoors.
Again I'm really against chemicals if at all possible. I don't want anything messing with my nervous system except the stress of growing my hibs.
I'll keep you posted with how the WP project is progressing.
Farmer D
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Yashodhara
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« Reply #35 on: January 05, 2011, 08:50:27 PM » |
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Unfortunately, Wilt-Pruffing has to wait until spring... I believe plants need to be sprayed outside (to avoid windows/walls/carpet), and it's still a bit too chilly for an outting here in Michigan (23ºF Brrrr!!!). Hopefully soon, I can afford all the Kontos I need to start treating from the inside-out (Come on tax refund!)  |
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Charlie
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« Reply #36 on: January 06, 2011, 07:41:01 AM » |
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Farmer D, I agree about the chemicals and recommend that anyone who uses them do so correctly. Most exposure can be eliminated by wearing gloves and a respirator that are put on before the bottle is touched and not removed until everything is done, cleaned up, and put away. For spraying and outdoor jobs with wind swirling around a disposable Tyvek coverall is also needed. That is why systemics that are not sprayed are so desirable - much less risk of exposure but I still recommend gloves and a respirator just to be as safe as possible. Todays pesticides are much more targeted toward insects and not the type of broad spectrum poisons as were used in the past. Even so, as close to zero exposure as possible is still the way to go.
Organic type sprays such as soap and oil are not without their own risks. People assume they are safe and don't take as many precautions. Breathing tiny soap and oil particles into your lungs is not good for them, and will make you feel sick for an hour or so after doing so. Spraying anything should be done with a respirator and gloves for maximum safety.
Beneficial insects that feed on pest insects is the way Mother Nature does it and the best way to go for gardeners, too. However, adding them to a growing situation is iffy if that situation does not support their normal life needs.
Water sprays and baths are still the safest but too time consuming for many people. Not introducing pests into a growing situation is one of the best precautions one can take. My job is to ship plants that are as clean as we can make them - a big challenge with a high priority at HVH.
Charlie
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pckids2
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« Reply #37 on: January 06, 2011, 09:47:48 AM » |
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Kristin, Those are beautiful! Obviously you know what you are doing.  Crossing flowers etc. Wow. Pam |
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pckids2
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« Reply #38 on: January 06, 2011, 09:50:39 AM » |
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I can see from reading all these posts that I can learn a lot from all of you experts!!!! Beautiful flowers. Thank you
Pam
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Louis
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« Reply #39 on: January 06, 2011, 12:17:36 PM » |
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A few January blooms from connecticut. I have a plant that i have had for a long time give me its first bloom. It called Howard Hine. The bloom is very nice. color in the photos is accurate, its a deep red and heavily crinkled, which i like. the bloom measures 8 inch. this is a small plant and i think as it gets bigger, the blooms might reach 9 inches or more. also giving me pleasure today are twin valentine's day, and stolen kiss. i crossed howard with the valentine twins and stolen kiss. i could not get any pollen from stolen kiss. dont know if this is normal. louis     |
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #40 on: January 06, 2011, 06:38:23 PM » |
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Happy Thursday!
Louis - your Stolen Kiss is very pretty. Your blooms all hint towards upcoming Valentines Day with that color spread. Also helps that you have the Vday hibiscus too. Very nice.
A handsome Acapulco Gold and my Black Dream with the Hollywood snowmen patrol.
Farmer D
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Darkhorse
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« Reply #41 on: January 06, 2011, 09:25:06 PM » |
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Louis and Farmer D, great photos! Farmer D your Black Dream is making me want to get one more and more... I just got back from a three day ski trip to South Lake Tahoe. Space Oddity was open x2 when I got home today. SO is another CV that is doing really, really well in my winter conditions. I almost prefer her winter colors, actually. The brighter the better! I know it's not hibiscus related, but I attached a couple of snow pictures too for Cindy (or anyone else who might enjoy them). They were taken on a chairlift on the top of the mountain. |
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"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." -Edgar Allan Poe
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Darkhorse
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« Reply #42 on: January 06, 2011, 09:26:39 PM » |
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Premature on the "post" button... forgot pix! Duh
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"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." -Edgar Allan Poe
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blupit007
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« Reply #43 on: January 07, 2011, 06:48:19 AM » |
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Awesome photos everyone!! Jordan, I am jealous of your beautiful ski trip! nice space oddity shot!
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-Kristen
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Louis
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« Reply #44 on: January 07, 2011, 03:42:40 PM » |
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Hi everyone, first bloom on Black Dragon. there are quite a few plants in the "dragon" series. i am not sure who developed these plants. this is a nice bloom about 7 inches in diameter. i crossed it with moonstruck and rockets red glare. let see what happens. louis  |
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