March Photos of the Day 2011

[Louis]

hi kristen,

your new camera is doing a great job for you, of course its the talent behind the lens.

rocking photos of the path. it was the very first hibiscus that i had years ago and i would like to get another one.

i hope the weather was nice for your holiday.

louis

[blupit007]

Thanks Louis,

  I am using 2 different lenses as you can probably see.  The macro 100mm shoots really saturated.  I brought it into PS to bump it down a bit on the close up of 5th.  But the truth is that bloom was intense!  I haven't gotten one like it since that one last month.

Im having fun with my new camera for sure.  Thanks for the compliment!

[davidwood]

Very deep colour from Pocahontas today,  no sun either so it will last 2 days.

Woops, I just noticed it had a third smaller bloom.

[blupit007]

David!!!  What a pretty bloom!!!  I want!

[davidwood]

David!!!  What a pretty bloom!!!  I want!

Ha ha, ditto your Fith Demention, that's number 1 on my list now.

[motherof4]

david...wow...just a beautiful pocahontas...I have her too but she had some winter damage and is just now starting to get tiny new leaves...thank goodness..lynette

[farmer d]

David - picture perfect Pocahontas and the plant looks so healthy.  I sure missed my chance to get that one.  Thank you for sharing.

Farmer D

Can someone please tell the weather it is now spring time, not winter?

[Charlie]

Such a nice surprise to see your new photos, Kristen. Great colors for The Path and 5th Dimension. The variability of 5th Dimension and the "gun metal gray" that is the official description of the main petal color were the reasons that the garden editor for the Los Angeles Times chose 5th Dimension for the big color photo that illustrated his article on hibiscus hybrids a dozen years ago. It's been popular ever since although the bush does not hold up well to cold conditions and is best grown as a potted and protected plant. Once upon a time I had 100 big plants of it but am now down to 1 medium size 5th Dimension. It's on my list to graft this summer to make sure I don't lose it.

If the temperature or light has not changed much then the different flower colors you saw before and after going on vacations are most likely due to fertilizer changes. Amazing, eh?

Charlie

[Charlie]

Spectacular Pocahontas, David!

Electric Orange makes a nice full bush with plenty of wood which is helping make it available. Should be more plants before long.

Charlie

[blupit007]

Such a nice surprise to see your new photos, Kristen. Great colors for The Path and 5th Dimension. The variability of 5th Dimension and the "gun metal gray" that is the official description of the main petal color were the reasons that the garden editor for the Los Angeles Times chose 5th Dimension for the big color photo that illustrated his article on hibiscus hybrids a dozen years ago. It's been popular ever since although the bush does not hold up well to cold conditions and is best grown as a potted and protected plant. Once upon a time I had 100 big plants of it but am now down to 1 medium size 5th Dimension. It's on my list to graft this summer to make sure I don't lose it.

If the temperature or light has not changed much then the different flower colors you saw before and after going on vacations are most likely due to fertilizer changes. Amazing, eh?

Charlie

Thanks! The colors were spectacular!!  I shot the 5th bloom in artificial light, sun, and shade.  The shade one came out soooo extreme, although when you look closely at the bloom in person, it was quite like the photo represented.  Loved working with that one!

Have you ever tried to root 5th?  The plant that I have I got at a local exotic tropical garden store who told me that they don't graft any of their hibiscus.  It is growing and producing blooms nicely for me.  And if it is better suited for a pot, then Im in luck   If you loose it, I will send you a cutting   I am having a good time with hybridizing with it.

  Just the other day I got some pollinated Cindy's Heart and The Path together.  Crossing my fingers for that one.

PS, Do you know if Cindy got my email?  I know you both are probably really busy.  Just checking.

[Doll]

White Wings twins
The yellow one is a garden variety called Ft. Myers Yellow

[davidwood]

Not sure where to write this but Charlie could you tell me if Cosmic Gold and Bright Horizon are grafts or cuttings. I went and bought a load of new pots yesterday in readiness for the new cv's coming and I have to decide which ones will go where, I did buy 2 sets of pots as shown in the picture and I want to put a cv in the big one that I can later take cuttings and put in the smaller ones, should look quite neat.

Also I pruned High Voltage 3 days ago and now realise I have to change it to a different pot, should I do it now or wait till the new growth comes and then do it.

[Louis]

david,
your planters are as attractive as your plants. what a great garden you have.

louis

[davidwood]

david,
your planters are as attractive as your plants. what a great garden you have.

louis

Thanks Louis, its took a bit of planning, as the picture shows the centre looks very bare at the moment as I have moved all the mature cv's round the outside ready for the new ones. Also round the outside I have a lot of Plumeria growing which will hopefully give me more shade in the centre.

[Charlie]

David, both Cosmic Gold and Bright Horizon are rooted plants grown from cuttings.

The safe approach for transplanting a recently pruned hibiscus is to wait for the new growth to come in and be actively growing before moving it. Root stimulating hormones are made in the new shoots and no doubt help the plant grow into the new pot without problems. You could probably make the move now but it is a little more risky so if there is no pressing reason to do it I would wait for about an inch of new growth.

Charlie