Hidden Valley Hibiscus Forum

Whew!  What a day...

Lots of second day blooms so you can see how they look...CP, TLR, TLM, SB, AG and Venetian Brick making a rare appearance!!

Farmer D

More Sept bloomers...

Farmer D

rounding out the bunch.

Farmer D

Here's a photo of heartbreak hotel

Here's another bloom from one of our seedlings.

Kristen, We're glad to hear that your safe.

Thanks, Patrick and Donna

Here's a bloom  of Gerald Derr.


Thanks, Patrick and Donna

Here's another photo of HBH


Patrick

Great photos everyone!  What awesome color in that HBH.  Mine hasn't bloomed this year.  Thrips.  Ugh.


Today...  Saffron x 2, Summer Shore, and Space Oddity.  I got Space Oddity two years ago as a little 4" plant in the Cinn Girl/SO mix-up.  I almost sent it back because I had very little space but decided to keep it.  It ended up near death due to my... um... learning experiences.  IT made it through, is one of my best performers, and is my largest plant!  4 and a half feet tall and ready to be potted up again.

patrick..donna ....very nice seedling...hbh so pretty....kristen glad you weathered that storm wow..scarey....looking forward to seeing your blooms....darren luv miss congeniality and prosperity...and all the others! so nice....here are some of mine from the last couple of days....lynette

wow jordan...luv summer shore...nice...here are a few more

Terrific blooms everyone...so much to look at!!!

Patrick loving HBH & Gerald Durr - very vibrant colors just jumping out of the screen.

Jordan Saffron and Summer Shore are so lovely.  Also thank you for the plant shot - can't get enough of those.  How has the weather been for you in Nor Cal this summer?

Lynette as always just great colors all around.  I believe that is the first Exuberance pic anyone has posted - really amazing depth of color there - how is the bush on that one?  Great shot of the hummingbird too - they are characters!

Mike that Heavy Metal is amazing - I know it has been ultra hot in your neck of the woods so I'm thinking that is the result??

Here are a bunch from the last two days.

But today WOW - Black Dream went crazy and I kid you not 16 blooms today!!!
I really really hope all my plants when they get as mature as BD can do that too.  Hard to get a shot with all the blooms at once since they're all around the plant.

Farmer D

more...

Farmer D

and the last of it...the VD bloom is probably the prettiest I've had all season

Farmer D

Two shots from today, Heavy Metal and Night Runner.  This is one of the first blooms HM has given me this year.  She really doesn't like the thrips that have been around this summer.

Darren, my area of Norcal is hot, hot, hot during the summer.  Average temps are in the mid 90s.  That's about what it has been here.  It took us longer than normal to get going, though, much like you guys in Socal with the longer-than-normal spring.  Oddly enough it even rained here at the end of June!

Great picture of Heavy Metal Jordan. Amazing Black Dream bush from Darren, in fact great pics allround at the moment and a joy to see each day.

Jordan that is interesting that you too have had the delayed growing season.  For us last year winter started around Dec 7 with rain and cool weather all of a sudden.  I hope this year we get a later winter to make up for delayed start.

Funny thing you mentioned the thrips as they have been rather plentiful here too.  After spraying for them I noticed that I all of a sudden have a lot of spider mites too.  Our first hot weather a week or two ago and boy did they explode in numbers.  Also explains why some of my star bushes have been so pathetic lately.

Your Night Runner is an extremely beautiful bloom - WOW!

OK, first time bloom for Summer Fun.  Glad it made it before summer ended!
8 blooms today on Prosperity and a really pretty Tahitian Princess

Summer Fun
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/SummerFun9-4.jpg)

Farmer D

Everyone.... Impressive!  Very Impressive. 

Darren, that Summer Fun is soooo coooool!.

Jordan, That Night Runner ROCKS!  Im in love!

Patrick, I didn't realize till now how beautiful HBH is!  OMG.  Put that one on my list!

So I talked to Lou today.  He just got his power back today.  He has a lot to do for cleanup, but everyone is safe and sound!  I have internet and cable for about an hour a day, then it goes out.  Weird... but a lot has happened so I can't complain.  Could be worse.  Cant wait to share my blooms with you!  When everything settles, Ill get around to it!

here is what is blooming today

Darren, I'm concerned about your spider mite situation. I wish you guys could get hold of real miticides because the general products out there for mites don't work worth a darn. Avid is a good one that gets all mites and is now out of patent so available in generic versions for about $200 per quart bottle that would last most people for many years. Abamectin is the active ingredient and internet searches for it will most likely turn up sources for it. State regulations vary so everyone is responsible for finding out their own but where possible this is an effective and safe (if mask and gloves are used) product that really controls mites when sprayed. Kontos works great, too, as many people have found out, but is best used for potted hibiscus while Avid or generic versions can be sprayed on any outdoor hibiscus.

Hopefully mother nature will restore the balance in your garden before the mites do much damage but you are almost better off just spraying with water to blast the mites off than using most of the products sold as being effective for mites in garden centers.

Good luck!!

Charlie

Farmer D,
 the colors on the edge of the Tahitian Princess are outstanding!
great growing!
Norm

Absolutely GORGEOUS blooms everyone!!!

Here are some of this week's blooms from MI:

Cosmic Gold
Electric Blue
Fiji Island
Hot Babe
Painted Pony
Simple Pleasures

Deb  :D

Like Charlie says Darren, I started using Kontos last fall.  One bottle so far and still going.  Just bought another back up bottle, but not needed yet.  I have not seen one single mite or bug of any sort for that matter on my plants since I started (and figured out what regimen to use).  It is worth a million bucks if you ask me.  Mites were such a headache for me last year.  This year is a dream!  Although all my 50+ hib's are in pots.  So not sure how that will work for the in ground plants.  Good luck.

The extreme heat is finally over. We had 43 days this summer of 100 plus temps. But the drought still continues. We are 30 inches below our normal rainfall.

Cindy's Heart

Yes, Kontos has been great for me too.  Anyone should give it a try if they can and are having mite troubles.  At the very least, a good, thorough, hard water spraying on the underside of the plants works wonders!  (and it's free)  ;)


T. Princess today!

Good advice from everyone...I'll keep you posted on the results.

Beautiful blooms from everyone - good to see such pretty flowers from all corners of the country again.  Hopefully the weather will be a little more accommodating going forward.

Happy Labor Day!

Farmer D

a few more...

Farmer D

Today's blooms:

Key Lime Pie Triplets (huge petaloids!)
Marianne Charlton

Deb  :D

Hi everyone, good to be back.

I was without power for 8 days, just got it back yesterday. Apologize for all the photos posted. Note the tree that downed the wires, estimated to be over 100 years old.

Also note the dumb tree person under the tree, cutting the tree over head. To free the tree, he had to cut off the end of the tree resting on the wires. There was a tremendous amount of energy stored in the wires, with all the weight. When he cut off the end, the stump, about 300 pounds spun over his head. Darn near hit him.

And janys, up to her tricks. First day, large and colorful, first night, she closes and re-opens the second day. Charlie, have you ever seen this?

louis

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/down-tree/tree-1.jpg)
(http://www.imagesct.com/web/down-tree/tree-2.jpg)
(http://www.imagesct.com/web/down-tree/tree-3.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/down-tree/tree%204.jpg)
(http://www.imagesct.com/web/down-tree/janys-1.jpg)
(http://www.imagesct.com/web/down-tree/janys-2.jpg)
(http://www.imagesct.com/web/down-tree/janys-3.jpg)

OMG  LOU!!!  What an amazing shot!  He is not even wearing goggles!  Stupid is as stupid does... I was down with the flu when Irene hit, so I had no idea what was going on outside.  Now I wish I had gone around our area with my camera to document some of it.  Glad your back!

Nice photo's Lou and glad to see you back ok. Cant see what the fuss is about the tree mind, if that was in Vietnam he would be sat on the tree with the saw between his legs haha, and I am not joking.

Just nice blooms all over for me today, even got 3 on P's Purple and Thanksgiving which is nice.

Wow!! first time I have seen Marianne Charlton, fantastic.

Hi David,

Amazing color on this CV... Lots of gray. Here's a photo of a more fully opened bloom from this morning.

Deb  :D

Norm thanks for the nice compliment on the T Princess.  As I figure out it's unique needs more the blooms are getting better.  My goal is to get more color like Jordan's which is just amazing.  Great blooms Jordan!!

I also like your Some Like It Hot - that is an eye catcher.  My SLIH has dropped all of it's blooms so far.  It is in a hot and sunny spot plus it is only 9 months old (although already over 3 ft tall).

Deb I really like your Hot Babe - that is a unique color combo...how is the hawkisan doing by the way?  Our falcon was making a loud bird call the other day and all the other birds were freaking out.  Top of the food chain!  Wish they could eat crows....I know they eat the babies at least.

Today's blooms...

Farmer D

and some more...it's currently 98 and now I have to mow the lawns.  I love gardening 8)

Farmer D

I finally got to work and got the bloom photos up on my computer.  Great job for a rainy day off!

First up,
Belle Du Jour
City Slicker two opening bloom colors and one end of day two color.

Next we have:
my new favorite, Erin Rachel. Always blooms in twins or more!
Love Story
A very blue My Blue Heaven
Excuse the drama, but I couldn't help myself with this gigantic Moonstruck
And of course, a first day and third day bloom on Moonstruck.

Opening colors of Sleeping Beauty, and second day colors of same bloom.

Thanksgiving, which is super vibrant right now!
My personal favorite Vin Extraordinaire
Voodoo Magic which doesn't stop!

Compassion and Cindy's Heart

Here's a couple photo's of Moon Madness, Kind of hard to get the real color on camera.


Patrick

Kristen your blooms look great, especially Vin Extrodinaire

Here are a few more from San Jose
My hibs. seem to like September
Norm

Norm, you're in San Jose?  Cool!  I lived in Milpitas for 4 years.  :)

Outstanding photos everyone!  Kristen, I can't wait for my Vin to bloom again.  She has once but I missed it.  I recently pruned her, so no blooms for awhile. 

Jordan.  I just pinched mine today... I am a pincher... Gotta stop myself sometimes.  But Vin has grown nicely here.  I had 4 bloom off him so far.  Today I notice 4 more buds formed!  How exciting!!  It is my absolute favorite of all hibiscus!  Even outdid Cindy's Heart believe it or not!

Wow the blooms just keep getting better and better.  There sure is a wide variety of CVs going on here...

John your Cindy's Heart is absolutely amazing - so much color!

Kristen your blooms are stunning.  Really neat to see how City Slicker changes color after opening.  Glad you're ok form the storm - boy the NE is really having a bad time this summer.

Norm it must be a lot cooler there than down here in So Cal?  Another scorcher today but now it might rain by Saturday???  Huh?

With the hot weather here this last week I got to see which CVs really do well when blooming in heat.  Rainbow Sherbet, Acapulco Gold and Summer Fun are my winners.  Just gorgeous colors...I'll post some extra pics in the CV section there were so many.  Flickering Flame just has such an amazing color array.

Oh yeah - first Heavy Metal bloom too!

Farmer D

more....

Farmer D

sorry...more

Farmer D

ok, this is it!

Farmer D

Hello everybody !
I have a few blooms for today
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture1-14.png)
Rocket's Red Glare X 2
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture2-8.png)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture5-3.png)
Rosalind
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture6-4.png)
Cindy's Heart

Mike great blooms!  Has the temps cooled off enough for the hibs to start going again for you?  That CH has a lot of color!!

Now that our first heat wave is over lots of blooms as the plants seemed to be holding back until better conditions.  COF is doing well in spite of the spider mites.  12 blooms today so that is a good sign.

I recently moved Sunrise Dance to a shady spot and that has made quite a difference in the bloom quality (really pretty one today).  Next on my moving list will be Picante and especially Melon Melange as they were fried by the heat and showed they need much more protection.

Farmer D

and some more....

Farmer D

Hi All,

I thought I would share my experiences with the World Trade Towers in Manhattan.  During the early 1970’s when the Towers were being built, I was flying a helicopter for the Timex Corporation out of Waterbury, Ct.  When weather was flyable, I made three round trips to Manhattan from Waterbury, every day of the week.

Construction started in August of 1968 and both towers were completed in the late summer of 1971.

At that time, there were numerous helicopters flying in and around Manhattan and we pilots were a tight bunch. There were about 30 of us who frequented the Manhattan heliports daily and our main topic was the Towers. I watched as each floor was completed, being able to fly within 500 feet of the towers nice and slow to view the progress.  They were very close to the flyway along the Hudson River.

I once saw a human spider climb the South Tower and acrobats doing their high wires between the towers.

When the Towers were completed, I had a request to make one of the first landings on the South Tower (the one without the antenna).  One fine day in March, I picked up the head of the NY Port Authority from the Wall Street Heliport and we proceeded to climb over the harbor to gain altitude and we then made a very cautious approach to the building’s heliport. Needless to say, it was the most exciting flight I had ever taken. It was very windy and very scary, and when I look back at the flight, I still shudder.

The following photos were taken from the helicopter in the mid to late 1970’s. All were taken with a wide angle fish eye camera. Negatives were converted to digital.

The entire view of Manhattan was taken from 2000 feet over the New  York Harbor. You can see the Hudson River to the left and the East River to the right.

I have attached a link to a power point presentation that I made many years ago with photos from some of my friends in the media. Some of these photos have never been seen.  I must warn you , the images are disturbing, view at your own risk. Click on the link and click on open.

Charlie, if you want to place this post elsewhere, please do.

Louis

Power Point Presentation ----  http://www.imagesct.com/web/9%20_11/nine_eleven.pps (http://www.imagesct.com/web/9%20_11/nine_eleven.pps)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/towers%209-10-11/towers.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/towers%209-10-11/towers%201975.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/towers%209-10-11/towers_sunset-1.jpg)

Thank you Louis, most people around the world will spend some time today thinking about that tragic day 10 years ago, the photo's bring it back as though it was yesterday, thanks for sharing and may all those poor soul's RIP.

Well said David.  Thank you Louis for that beautiful tribute that we will all appreciate today and going forward.  It is my hope that over time we can as a species move beyond such events and build a better future for all of our planet.

My hibiscus apparently have decided to show their best for today as well (that heat wave last week has a surprising positive result with an explosion of blooms).

I have never had even close to this many blooms at one time which coincidentally came out to 91 blooms in my front yard and 1 in my backyard = 911 of all numbers on all days.  Go figure that one...

Best Regards to each and every one of you today!

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/NorthPlanterColor9-112.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/NorthPlanterColor9-114.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/InteriorYardWestPlanter9-11.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/InteriorYardNorthPlanter9-11.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/FlickeringFlameQuintuplets9-11.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFireProfusion9-11.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/RainbowSherbetQuads9-11.jpg)

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

daren,

your yard is spectacular. have never seen so many blooms at once. what a delight

louis

Hi Darren
Our temperature here dropped when the storm came through the gulf , at night for a week it's been in the low 50s and around mid 80s in the day , really nice out . here are a few blooms for today Hot Wired & Heavy metal .
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture6-5.png)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture4-5.png)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture2-9.png)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture1-15.png)  

Louis, beautiful photos and words.  Thank you for that.

Darren... OMG!  Your yard is spectacular!

Mike, what a beautiful Heavy Metal!  I can't wait for mine to pop like that!

Mike love your Hot Wired - that's a fun bloom!
Here is a Heavy Metal from my garden today, total opposite of yours.  Both are fabulous!

Hey, got a new one today and it goes high up on the surprised, didn't expect it to look like this and loving it list.

Ay Caramba
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/AyCaramba9-12.jpg)

Did some wicked pollen crosses today with some outrageous combos so one day who knows what might show up.
Enjoy!

Farmer D

and one...

Farmer D

What a wonderful place to visit! Like taking a vacation to some surprisingly wonderful tropical paradise. Great photos everyone!

Charlie

So much for summer being over. The temps are back in the 100s this week.

Cindy's Heart

John sorry to hear that the weather is still so hot...your CH looks awesome though!

Today's colorful blooms....Black Dream has really got some insane black in it again

Farmer D

I love how Summer Fun as well as Confection Perfection have white eyes instead of the standard red.  Great stuff!

Farmer D

Darren, how is your Rise and Shine doing? You have posted a few pics in the past but I haven't seen any lately. I had a small one last fall but rats decided to feast on it when I had it in my garage over winter.

John, you have a good memory.  I was freaking out a few months ago as one of it's two main branches was diseased and the infection made it all the way down to the other main branch.  So far it looks like the plant closed off itself from being completely infected and the one last branch is still healthy.  Not only healthy but all the energy of this plant went into this one main branch and it has gone completely bonkers.  It has grown at least 2 feet and has produced a half a dozen new branches off this one.  It is now budding up a lot and the way things work here it will bloom when I am out of town in several weeks.

I have to include a few pics to show the awesome energy this CV possesses.  I would be heartbroken if it died from the infection.  Like I said a few days ago I'll be creating a cultivar post as soon as I get some blooms going again soon...

I see Cindy updated the photo for R&S in the online store to better represent how it looks.  What I love about it is the wide white area that surrounds the eye.  This is another really happy looking - spread the tropical happiness around CV.

Farmer D

It grew so quickly I had to cut back my Plumeria tree to accommodate R&S
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/RiseandShinePlant9-14.jpg)

These are the buds closest to opening...I'm thinking more than two weeks which would place it to just when I go out of town again...
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/RiseandShineBuds9-14.jpg)

OK, I am really in love with Ay Caramba.  Today on it's second day of blooming it produced twins and wow, the color and form are just so enjoyable to see.  Again this was not even close to what I was expecting.  Pretty bush too just needs protection from strong sun as the leaves are more delicate.  There'll be a cultivar post shortly for this one.

Also Flickering Flame today was just amazing.  The reds so red and one opened all the way which is rare for this CV and the black eye and rays are just jaw dropping.

Check out the light pastel look for Prosperity - really nice and I am just blown away by how bright yellow Daisy Mae is.  If I get lost at night trying to get home all I have to do is look up in the sky for the yellow glow - kind of like the bat signal but hibiscus style....

Oh year - first bloom for Splash.  Lots of personality and cute!

Ay Caramba
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/AyCaramba9-14.jpg)

Flickering Flame
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/FlickeringFlame9-143.jpg)

Farmer D

I guess today is orange day...Good times with the hibiscus

Farmer D

I LOVE orange day! Absolutely beautiful, as always, Farmer D!

My bloomers today (and hopefully a few pod parents, as I finally have some "hot" pollen!):

H. Arnottianus
Fiji Island
Key Lime Pie
Marianne Charlton
Rosalind

Deb  :D

Wow Darren!  That Flickering Flame is really really really really awesome!  It was always beautiful, but with it fully open, it is breathtaking!  Does anyone else have it not open fully?  Is that a typical trait for this cv?

JohnD, you can see that Rise and Shine is an especially strong plant even in the 4 inch size. Compared to others that are the same age it has a bigger, beefier look. My main stock plant of it is also fantastic, and about to be harvested for next year's new plants. The bush looks the way you would expect a Saffron x High Voltage cross to look.

Charlie

Thanks Darren and Charlie. I just ordered Rise and Shine.

Hi Kristen, in regards to your FF bloom question I can say that over 90% of the blooms will not stay open completely like that one but they still do stay open around 80%-90% of the way.  IMO this is the best case scenario because when you look at the bloom pics you will see how the bright orange and yellow ruffly edges totally contrast and jump out with the dark blackish eye zone directly behind it.  Charlie did a great job naming the CV because that is the effect this look really gives.

Here is the same bloom today and you can see it now looks much more like a typical FF bloom which by my standards is amazing.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/FlickeringFlameDay29-152.jpg)

I guess it comes down to how much you prefer to have your blooms open way up and stay that way.  I like them that way too but in this case with the color combos it actually looks better not fully opened.

Don't forget as Charlie mentioned that the bush is awesome too.  Shiny dark green leaves, branches very well, grows fast and tolerates heat excellently.  And talk about having some fall colors in the yard, I don't need to go the mountains to see it now that I have FF.

Farmer D

John you'll love this CV.  Sucks that your last one was eaten, are there any deterrent plants with fruit you could have around in winter to keep them from eating your hibs?  I know I'm in a more mild climate zone so I got stuff pretty much fruiting all year round to keep the critters away from my hibs....right now my grapes and strawberry guavas are keeping the raccoons, possums, rats and mice away from my hibs.

Farmer D

Deb that Rosalind is incredible.  Looks like the sun exploding or something like that.  Wow!

Today I've decided I need to build a shrine to Tahitian Lavender Mist.  I am in awe of the blooms.  Good luck trying to figure out what exactly the color is...some sort of greyish lavender shade of purple with a hot pink border and those white rays are just too much...
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/TahitianLavenderMist9-152.jpg)

Farmer D

more goodies...Day +2 of Kontos and the plants are looking greener with a lot less yellow leaves.  It also helps that it has cooled down a lot, next several days in the mid 70s. 

It will be heating up next week again so this will be good to see how well Kontos is working.

Farmer D

New record for Rainbow Sherbet with octuplets today.  If you can get Supernova and spray this CV regularly it does wonders for it's branching capabilities.  I didn't  think that RS could bloom so prolifically.  The bush is a super awesome, round shiny green machine that totally adapted to any heat.  And so far no spider mites.

Farmer D

Check out these beauties...Valentines Day is another amazing plant too.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ValentinesDayTriplets9-15.jpg)

Farmer D

Cosmic Gold today and a new garden pink I bought in Saigon. Yesterday I made a display of flowers as I had friends come round.

David lovely blooms.  Your CG is blooming like crazy - a very elegant color to your blooms and I really like your pink garden a lot as well.

Well, I am going to try a new strategy here to better maximize my time spent uploading pics with the volume of blooms now.  Plant pics!

I don't know, cooler weather and/or the Kontos and/or the plants just getting more mature but man the blooms counts are off the charts now...

Sunrise Dance was a recent move into a shadier spot which it liked a lot.  I expect it to start growing finally.  Summer Fun has great new growth at the bottom. 

And Charlie in case your interested my Valentines Day II plant was fully defoliated last year by spider mites so you can see the comeback it has made.

Farmer D

More...


Farmer D

Farmer D, impressive lot for sure. The Valentine's Day shows great resiliency since the indignity of losing all its leaves to mites last year!

Charlie

more plants...

Farmer D

A little over a year and we are finally posting some of our recent blooms. We enjoy looking at everyone else's beautiful blooms, and want to contribute. These are some of our favorites...

Please excuse the old archaic camera, will hopefully have a new one soon...

Some more...

Yet some more...

Last set for now...

.
Some real beauties there, I cant ever remember seeing Shockwave, Climax and Royal Court are fantastic.

Beautiful collection, Halibut! Some of my personal favorites that we have not seen posted much like Island Queen, Cherry Appaloosa, and Candy Stripe and that fantastic photo of Ruby Tuesday to finish things off. Nice job!

David, we grafted some Climax plants last year but didn't get around to it this year. Shockwave is a great flower on a stubborn, hard to shape bush but I plan to grow a few each year because of the flower.

Charlie

Darren, love your new strategy of posting full plant photos. Gives a more complete idea about a variety, particularly if we have seen lots of bloom close-ups before. I have to say your yard is looking pretty fantastic, hard to believe most of those were only planted in spring of 2010.

Charlie

My first Frappuccino bloom and Compassion

  Doll,
Nice growing!  I especially like the Frappuccino, the colors are amazing!
Norm

Great blooms everyone! Here are some new blooms.

Great photo's again [nothing wrong with your camera haha], your Some Like it Hot is similar to mine when I have had very strong sun, very red with gold dots, it actually fades to its normal color later in the day.

Hi David,
We really like this CV, but it has not faded. The only change we have seen is that the amount and size of the spots/patches have Increased with warmer temperatures.
Ever since we purchased a shade house with 50% mesh it has dramatically changed the way our plants and flowers have behaved. Some noted changes are that it is rare that say a CV like Rosalind blooms as a true double and CV's like SLIH and Shockwave show reduced amounts of yellow/gold if the weather is a little cooler.

On the positive side, our cooler color spectrum blooms can be really Intense with the filtered light.
All the Best!

Hal & Jean

Hal and Jean I really am going cuckoo, I was comparing your SLIH to the opening color of my Hot Southern Nights, you can see in the first photo there is a similarity, then HSN does fade to a lovely color, I must start wearing my glasses more haha.

Hal, your Compassion has a lot more pink than mine does.  You must live in a milder climate than I do. I'm expecting mine to look closer to yours when it stops getting into the 90s everyday.

High Voltage and Cindy's Heart

John, Hal and David great blooms.  Nice variety of CVs there.

I can officially join the Cindy's Heart club today with her first two blooms - nice!

Also Miss Congeniality put out a dazzler today.  Man the pictures don't do this one justice at all.  The complexity in the bloom is amazing and the hot pink border is something to see.  The twins shot is a good one since one is day 3 and the other just opened.  I'll post another plant shot soon as the plant is growing so well.

Sunrise Dance is also looking more beautiful with each bloom - loves the shade. 

Rainbow Sherbet today had 9 really big blooms, so this CV is something else as it matures more and more.

Farmer D

Daisy Mae is so impressive, the plant is growing well but the blooms are just so big...eye catcher from across the yard.  4 big quads today.

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Darren, congrats on your first Cindy's Heart blooms. I'm sure when it matures it will be one of your favorites. It is my best bloomer by far.

Hi everybody here is a few for today heaven scent , rockets red glare , heavy metal

Black Dream with petaloids

Mike those are some fab blooms.  I love your HM.

John that is one nice Black Dream, what a petaloid on that one!

Today's blooms....Cindy's Heart is quite the bloom today
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/CindysHeart9-22.jpg)

Farmer D

A few more....Summer Fun 4th day bloom

Farmer D

Darren, my Black Dream has petaloids more often than not.

Black Dream and Compassion

John your Compassion bush looks great.  Nice bloom as well...is it cooling down yet?

Today's blooms...Black Dream is really black again, amazing black eye zone.  COF making the comeback now that the spider mites are on the retreat.

Farmer D

A few more...

Farmer D

Darren, it is only getting in the 90s everyday now.

Rainbow Sherbert

Darren, the pictures of your garden in the newsletter are breathtaking.

Compassion at the end of a hot day. Of all the new varieties I purchased in the spring Compassion has proven to be the most heat tolerant.

Doll, I'm very glad to hear about your experience with Compassion in the extreme heat TX went through this summer. I like the growth habit in the greenhouse - very easy to grow and well shaped.

Charlie

I missed the store update while we drove down to the Cincinnati Zoo. Well I guess we missed out this time but we did enjoy the visit, I was surprised to find some hibiscus (garden variety) growing on the zoo grounds.


Patrick and Donna

John thank you for the nice compliment.  I'm so glad that you and others can enjoy the amazing beauty that nature can produce.  We all know how much hard work and dedication it takes...

By the way your Compassion bloom is so pretty, also loving Rainbow Sherbet.

This weekend's blooms...

some more...never expected quads on the T Princess

Farmer D

and the end

Farmer D

Magnifique next to Cosmic Gold and  in the second picture Hot Pepper High Voltage and Acapulco Gold. The third is of Pocahontas, this really is a magnificent bush, as the weather starts to get a little cooler the bloom will become much darker.

David, your Cosmic Gold is really thriving in the heat.

High Voltage

David your plants are looking totally awesome...really in great shape.  Love seeing them and their blooms....

John your High Voltage twins look just like mine, awesome stuff!!  I love how HV always has big, clean blooms with a lot of personality.  And the plant grows really nicely as in full and even.  Great blooms!

A fun shot of Valentines Day and the west facing planter colors.  Got to make Monday a good day no matter what happens....
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/InteriorYardWestColor9-26.jpg)

Guess who decided to make a reappearance, Mr Vin Beaujolais and wow has this plant grown the last couple of months.  It has pretty much tripled in size.

The T Princess quads going strong on days 2 & 3 for the blooms

Farmer D

more Monday colors...Hot Pepper is just insane today, best I've ever had so far.

Farmer D

finish up with the ever awesome AG tower of colors...every day the blooms are different and big!

Farmer D

So excited to have found this forum. I love sharing my HVH photos on Facebook, but here is an entire audience who will share my love for them :)

High Voltage...

Simple Pleasures...

Groups...

Denise, welcome to the forum. Your blooms are beautiful.
  
 ~John~
Cindy's Heart
My CH seedling is 8 months old now and 30" tall. It has also started branching out on its own. No buds yet though.

Denise we're so glad you found us...love your blooms and you have some great color there!!  We look forward to more posts from you.  Thanks!

John your seedling is growing so fast, can't wait for those blooms some day soon.

Today...

Farmer D

Darren, your pics Of Scarlet Beauty convinced me to order one. It will arrive on Thursday. ;D

That's great John, you'll love that CV.  It is a solid grower with really big blooms that have fantastic form.  I highly recommend putting it in a shady spot as the blooms do fade very fast in any strong sunlight (red pigmentation does that).

Enjoy!!

Farmer D

Thanks for the heads up on Scarlet Beauty.

Rainbow Sherbert

Not much from me lately, but here's a Pocahontas and a unique Creme de la Creme that I had to open myself.  It was wrapped around itself if that makes any sense...

John that's a beautiful RS with some deep colors.
Jordan your Pocahontas is breath-taking!!

Kristen you'll be happy to know that Flickering Flame decided to do another totally open bloom again.  Man, when it reflexes all the way it is quite a sight to behold.  It is the same bloom on all three pics.

Also T Princess twins that again are so perfect in form..got to catch them when they first are opening for all the colors to be there.

I put in a couple of shots of Palm Springs plant since it is known for it's great bush.  Mine is interesting since I had to prune back several branches in the middle that got dieback disease in the winter so the plant has grown unevenly for now.  Maybe some pruning down the road but I want to enjoy the blooms now.

Farmer D

more Wednesday fun...1st bloom ever for Mr Ace.  Looks like a conservative version of Miss Congeniality.  We know which one we like better....

Farmer D

a few more and a fun shot of Valentines Day and a bunch of ladybugs...

Farmer D

Yes Darren,  GREAT FF!  Love it!  And all your shots are beautiful I's like to say. 
Jordan, I like both blooms.  The CDLC is interesting.  Were the petals stuck together like they were glued?  I had that problem in the High heat this summer with Voodoo Magic. Just wondering.

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

Farmer D- The Valentine's Day shots are stunning! And I love the ladybugs shot. My daughters would go crazy for that! :)

I had a Simple Pleasures bloom today. Never ceases to amaze me how big, bright and colorful the blooms are. I have to turn my pot so that I can see it from my kitchen window throughout the day :)

Denise, welcome to the forum and thanks for the contributions! Simple Pleasures is always a pleasure to see.

Jordan, that's the most unusual Creme de la Creme flower I've seen! Pretty in its own way.

Farmer D, a great bunch of photos. I really like seeing your bushes as they grow. The Vin Beaujolais is a rare one I've never seen growing in the ground - it sure looks robust under your care. Your comment about Scarlet Beauty was interesting. I wondered if it was your camera or the flower because the ones I see in the shade paint covered greenhouse are always super glossy and bright. The direct sun does take a toll on the flowers but they still look pretty good. Love that Acapulco Gold pic with the multiple blooms!

David, your Pocahontas bush is fantastic. Even with no blooms some of these varieties can make very handsome plants.

Charlie

Charlie interesting what you say about Vin Beaujolais, mine is a sort of red wine color but its beauty and what I like is in the way it shines, the camera cant capture that and it looks like a piece of silk, I will post a photo next time it blooms.
Others that look better than the camera captures are Crinkle in Time and Dark of Night, D of N is a near daily bloom for me and each one is different.

Darren, those ladybugs are awesome.

Voodoo Queen and Cindy's Heart

Very nice  Simple Pleasures, great shape bush as well. Can I ask is it in a pot that sits in that pot? [2 pots] or is it growing in the pot we see.

Hi David!

The Simple Pleasures is planted in the single pot. I can't remember the pot size for sure, but I think it's 20 inch. It arrived as a 6 inch plant this past Spring and I planted it directly in that pot. It has done well. It suffered some sunburn at first, but has totally recovered from that. Hooray! :)

A large Bridal Path for me today and P's Purple is now so big its growing up into the Palm thats supposed to be giving it shade.

I am so pleased with this Saffron, its just a great bush now, I have posted a picture of it from a few months ago when drastic measures where taken. Its amazing just what you can do with the help of Supernova.

John your Voodoo Queen is a nice one, good to see that one blooming...

David your blooms are off the charts!  I really appreciate your comparison pics of Saffron.  I agree with your Supernova comment.  Every time I spray it the plants always look better not to mention the additional branching it helps promote.  My Bridal Path is my latest focus CV to get a lot more branching and it is going very well so far.

You know I was thinking and wonder what anyone thinks about this idea.  When I spray w/ SN I really soak the daylights out of the plant...branches, trunk, and as best I can both top and bottom of leaves which now takes about 2 hours for all my CVs each time (on a pump hand sprayer too). 

Anyways, in regards to spider mites I have come to the conclusion that this heavy spraying also works to reduce their population as it is a mini version of a bug blaster and it cleans off the leaves as well as promotes a wetter environment, all are things that apparently work against them.  So in my mind just another reason why Supernova spraying and feeding is a good way to go if you can.

Today pics - sorry for the lower quality but taken with old iPhone but it was sunset so some nice coloration to boot...

Farmer D

more...Heavy Metal was a stunner today.  I know this was used to produce Flickering Flame and wonder if HVH is still using it for hybridizing?

I can't say enough about Rainbow Sherbet, just check out that plant.  It is like a volcanic mountain of green leaves and buds.  Right now my prettiest bush out of all 70+ and with those bright and vividly colored blooms against that dark green canopy of leaves it is an eye catcher from anywhere.

Farmer D

and more, The Path was another stunner today too.  Such happy colors.  Enjoy!

Farmer D

Farmer D..... I am in love with your collection! How many different ones do you have? Do you have room for or plan to get more? Are they all in the ground?

Here are a couple of shots from yesterday... I held up a tape measure to them so I could let my Facebook friends see just how huge these things are :)

Wonderful Denise, I cant begin to imagine what a 9 inch bloom would be like, I once had a 7 and half inch Valentines Day and my heart skipped a beat when I first saw it. All my blooms are smaller than most but I do get beautiful strong colors on most of them.
A good example is Transcendent below, a 5 inch[  Charlie says this can get to be as big as 9inch] and about an 8th inch thick with really strong coloring, the bush is now very lush and my tallest at 5 feet, I have only had it a few months so its going to very big, also luckily for me here in the tropics it really likes the sun.

Darren for sure you are right about spraying, my friend Kim Anh has now started her own Hibiscus garden all from my cuttings, she cant afford to buy any chemicals or nothing, but she sprays every night with just water and is bug free.