Hidden Valley Hibiscus Forum

David & Erny I really appreciate the compliments in general and on my bush shots.  The ironic thing is I am planning on moving Deep Waters to a different planter as I have four blooms in a row there that are mostly yellow (True Love fades to a yellowish color). I will put Incandescent in DW's spot as it is next to it but hidden under my Elberta Peach Tree and is mostly shaded.  I think if Incandescent gets more sun it will have some outrageous blooms and mix up the colors there.

As for the the lush bushes and profusion potential we'll just have to see what materializes over time.  I can say that this planter was my nemesis for a long while as all the plant's except True Love struggled here until I started digging up the soil in late winter and was shocked to find the soil had almost completely dried out.  Even though it was cold for several months it was also dry and we had little rain this winter so it got very dry.  I dug out all the surrounding soil and put in a high quality, high moisture retention soil (Happy Frog) and then covered it with wood chips a la Erny.  So far so good...so maybe in a month or two we might get a pleasant surprise in that way.

SLIH is already looking pretty amazing and it is only the beginning of June, last year I didn't see it like this until late July.

Farmer D

It might just be me but it seems that Crystal Pink is an over looked cv.  Every bloom is different and of good size with so much personality.  I moved mine to a very hot and sunny spot based on the parents and it has flourished turning into a gorgeous plant that buds prolifically.  I also think that the bloom coloration is very unique as I have yet to see a white eyed speckled pink hibiscus bloom that I can remember with such a candy like appeal.

Farmer D

A fun shot of Saffron and Acapulco Gold.  My Saffron plant has surprisingly been a challenge to get going after ordering a 6" last spring but now it is on it's happy way.  Enjoy the pic of it next to AG as I will be moving it to make way for White Hot which will get it's spot.  

Farmer D

For me Bridal Path has got to still be my favorite bloom.  The sheer size and color combination is just so happy and colorful.  

Farmer D

Got my first ever bloom today of Tahitian Orange Rainbow.

Farmer D

Farmer D

Darren, that T. Orange Rainbow is sensational. It's very difficult to name one cv as my favorite but Bright Horizon is certainly high on my list. Magic Crystal put on a nice show today. Also Silver Dragon and Rose Quartz.

Erny

Haute Coutere gives you several different looks as the day wears on. I like the opening colors shown here. Also Thanksgiving, Flickering Flame, Funny Voodoo, Cherry Glow.

Beautiful, Erny! That Magic Crystal is really cranking out those great blooms. Bright Horizon remains very popular and sells out quickly.

BTW, as it gets hotter your Haute Couture will have another look with lots of yellow spots coming out.

Charlie

First Voodoo Queen bloom this season. I almost lost this one over the winter.

Wow Erny your Magic Crystal is looking totally amazing!!!  Super impressive to say the least.  And Charlie is so right on mentioning Bright Horizons too, I am dying to get mine already.  Showcase spot picked out and waiting for her!

John your Voodoo Queen is super awesome!  That is such a great color combination, thank God it made it thru the winter.  Can't wait to see many more blooms off her.

Charlie that is great news about Haute Couture and the yellow spotting, and can't wait to see what that looks like...

Farmer D

Acapulco Gold really does have more buds than leaves on her...

Farmer D

John, thank goodness you didn't lose that Voodoo Queen.
Darren, the buds on that AG are incredible.
Another nice Haute Coutere today. Also Velvet Illusion, Acapulco Gold, Rainbow Christie.

Erny

Pepper Spray, Daisy Mae, Bridal Path, Kinchen's Yellow, Valentine's Day, and Living Legend profusion.

Darren and Erny, your blooms are just amazing.

I really like the color on First Lady

A nice bloom on My Blue Heaven today. Also Rainbow Sherbert, Silver Dragon, and Flickering Flame.

Erny

John I really like the color also on First Lady, very pretty and a nice addition to your mix of colors for your garden!

Erny your My Blue Heaven is looking very slick and that Cherry Blue is very dramatic.  Didn't know you had that one - it looks very impressive to say the least.

I think today I had my best yet bloom for Vin Beaujolais as it is kind of showing a third ring of color near the edge.  The color saturation is getting stronger by the month which really makes this a stand out bloom...

Also my best Inner Compass bloom to date.

Farmer D

Farmer D

Darren, those vivid colors are really coming out now--especially with Scarlet Beauty, Vin Beaujolais, and Climax. T. Orange Rainbow just keeps getting better.

Erny

Thanks Erny, it is exciting to think things can keep improving.  I realized this weekend that I was putting only half the amount of Special Blend Fertilizer into my drip system that I meant to so maybe in a few weeks even more color now that I adjusted?

Note: Climax looks it's best at 4pm in the sun...

Farmer D

Great blooms everyone

The last pic shows how VQ changes later in the day.

A little Magic Moments from Fl.

And another one

Whoops! try again

Well the garden is ready for all my new cv's, 9 off them will be going in quite a shady spot at the front, it will get a good hour of sun in the afternoon so they should be fine.

One of my own today, a Saffron x Bridal Path cross, not a bad bush either.

Charlie I have sent you an email about my shipping, could you have a look please when you have a chance.

Magic Moments seems to be doing very well in the Florida heat.

Just got Brassy Blonde and it has two nice blooms and three more buds. Also Silver Dragon, Scarlet Beauty, Secret Heart, Sleeping Beauty (day 2), and Heartbreak Hotel.

Erny

California Beauty was covered in blooms today. Also Velvet Illusion, Creole Belle, and Tahitian Princess. Final photo is Darren enjoying a day in Hibiscus Heaven with two of the world's leading hybridizers: Richard Johnson and Charles Black.

I dont know who is smiling more, the 3 happy lads or me looking at the 3 happy lads, great photo.

David, glad to put a smile on your face. Glad you could share in the joy of the occasion.

Erny

David that is one heck of a nice seedling from that cross.  Congrats, I can't wait to see more of that one...

Erny thanks for sharing that pic from yesterday.  That was a very special day!  One more shot showing where I was supposed to sit upon leaving :)

Farmer D

Man oh man oh man oh man oh man...White Hot!

I think this is going to be a stellar combination right next to AG...

Farmer D

I thought it would be nice to show pics of some of the blooms we were lucky enough to see when visiting Charlie on Tuesday.

I must say that after seeing some of these in person some really blew us away as they were much prettier than the pics posted in the online store.  Joy and Blue Opal really stood out for me.  

And the look on that mustardy Haute Couture I would have never imagined - we kept checking the tag to make sure that was what it was.

Farmer D

a few more...

Farmer D

Darren, thanks for sharing those. I've been considering Joy for a long time now. It really is a stand out.

We have Joy and it's a nice full bush.

I will echo Darren's statements about how so many blooms looked better than their photos. One of the first that caught out eyes was Blue Opal. Even Darren's photo doesn't really do it justice.
Some of mine from today:  Illuminati, Palm Springs, Ruby Tuesday, Flickering Flame, Velvet Illusion, and Brassy Blonde.

Erny

A few more: Summer Shore, Tahitian Princess, and Tahitian Taui.

For sure nobody could ever accuse HVH of false advertising haha, I have yet to get a cv that didn't look better in real life than it's picture on the Website, in fact the trick is trying to imagine how nice it will actually be or become in the future.
Saying that I wish I had seen White Hot's potential before completing my order, truly breathtaking Darren, that first pic you showed, the white is so brilliant.

Had my first bloom today on Kinetic Energy.  This is a very different looking bloom as it is a rusty reddish brown with a mild magentaish swirling eye.  It is one of those blooms that starts out mostly one color and as the day unfolds the colors start to come out and separate.  I look forward to seeing if the blooms improve in the coming months.

Farmer D

Farmer D

First bloom this season on California Beauty

I thought it would be interesting to show some pics of how things are going at my in-laws porch.  Ideal conditions with lots of heavy dappled shade.  Really is a whole different approach to growing hibiscus in pots.  Black Dream & Acapulco Gold have struggled which are two of my best growers in my garden.

Farmer D

Hey Cris,

You bet!

BTW, the Riptide you gave me is now a 2.5 foot tall very full bush with buds, first bloom soon!

Charlie

Thats awesome to hear!

My seedling plant of it was in a bit of a funk, but it seems to coming out of it.   I am looking forward to seeing how it looks for you!

Chris

BTW Black Rainbow appears to have a pretty decent looking bush, probably grandparent rainbow christie to thank.

Rose Quartz has been a consistent bloomer for me lately. Also Vin Beaujolais, Rosalind, and Rocket's Red Glare.

Erny

Gentle on My Mind, Inner Compass, Fifth Dimension, Hot Pepper, Electric Orange, and Living Legend.

Hi everyone
Your flowers are looking real nice , I'm getting buds on everything now, thats its staying warm out at night , Charlie & Cris , on some info on Black Rainbow it has a real nice bush as far as growing it outside .Also doesn't seem to get spider mites . My bush is wilting a little right now because it's been in the sun most of the day and it needed water but it usually looks real nice .
 It will root but its a little slow I just rooted 4 cuttings, it took about 3 months . After 3 months they look kind of rough but their doing good , one looks real nice .

Chris - awesome BR bloom!  Perfect for your growing conditions, that one should be insanely dark every time.

Mike that is a great looking bush you have there - so glad to hear that your plants are budding up.  Funny thing is I am experiencing the same thing here.  Finally starting to see some significant progress...

Farmer D

I am just loving the color saturation on Vin Beaujolais...really impressive in person.

Farmer D

Very nice Chris, but you are saying something which I have heard you say before which confuses me '' asking Charlie if he would like some wood''.

I sort of thought that with wood Charlie can only make a graft, and from a graft you can not take a cutting to grow more, am I wrong?

First Jolie bloom. Beautiful!!

John, I don't think I've seen Jolie before. Very nice!
My new White Hot showing two blooms today. Also Secret Heart, Ay Caramba, and Night Runner.

Erny

Bright Hope, Sleeping Beauty, Valentine's day.

Simple Pleasures, Haute Coutere, California Beauty.

Chris, I've had Riptide in the full sun and am not getting any dark colors at all. I think I will move it into a morning sun only location. Also Victoria's Touch, Blue Ballerina, Fifth Dimension, and Black Dream.

Wow John, I was very much anticipating what Jolie's bloom might look like but this exceeds my expectations.  Absolutely stunning!  Mine looks like it is a month away from it's first blooms hopefully looking as wonderful as your's.

Erny it is amazing how much gold there is on your White Hot blooms - really something quite extraordinary to me.  This one is one of Charlie's best to date IMO...

I only have one bloom worthy of showing today but if I were to have just one...

Farmer D

David you can go either way with a cutting, try to root it or graft it first then take cuttings later off of the new, larger grafted plant and see if those cuttings root.  Seems the smart move is to graft it first to make sure it has the ability to root so you don't use up the wood unless you already know it can root.

I haven't done any of these yet, happy to just plant seeds and get them to germinate.

Farmer D

Darren I did not think that was even possible, I have always thought that from a grafted plant you can only take another graft, you cannot get it to root.

To be honest when I asked the question I was really wondering if Charlie ever tried to root the hard wood, I have never tried that and wondered if it works ok.

I think that is a good idea Erny, in typical blue/brown CV fashion, Riptide's colors fade.  Your plant is also pretty small still, so the bloom size and quality should get better when the plant matures.  I hope that Charlie can post his Riptide bloom so we can see how they compare. 

Darren, I'm sure you will be very happy with Jolie.

Erny, I love your White Hot blooms.

Secret Heart fades to an interesting pattern--this is day two or three. Also Luck Be a Lady, Fifth Dimension, Living Legend, Haute Coutere, and Rum Runner profusion.

Erny

John your Rainbow Sherbet is as good as it gets.  I love the speckled border between the yellow and orange.

Farmer D

This Simple Pleasures bloom has such a deep red eye - I just love it!

Farmer D

David I think I misunderstood your initial question.  I was thinking it from a general view of any plant that has been grafted.  For instance I have given Charlie wood from a few of my non HVH grafted plants to see if he could root them.  More were not successful than successful but you don't know unless you try.  I know that on some the wood was hard wood that rooted so it is possible.

Farmer D

Darren I had just wrote this below and was going to start a new topic, I wont bother now but  hope someone could read and clear up for us, I do so hope you are right.

Could someone who has done it please clarify something me and Darren have discussed.
Is it possible to take a cutting from a grafted plant and root it?

I have a very healthy P’s Purple and Bridal Path grafted plants; if I take a cutting from them can they root. I will be very happy if they can but I had always assumed this was not possible.

If the CV that is grafted also a variety that roots, you can root it on its own.   P's Purple and Bridal path both root so you can root them directly, without the need to graft. 

There are some varieties that will not root, like CDLC and those need to always be grafted.  There may be some decrease in strike rate when using root-able varieties that are grafted.  There is the potential for them to contract bacteria or viruses from the root stock, which in turn inhibits rooting, but a certain percentage of cuttings will still root.   

Thanks Chris [and Darren], I am not sure why I thought this, maybe I read it about Andeniums or Plumeria and thought it was the same with all plants, still its good news and I will be busy later.

White Hot is not only a fantastic flower. It is also very durable. These two blooms are day 5 and day 6 and still retain good form and most of their color. Also Brassy Blonde and Valentine's Day.

Erny

Luck Be a Lady is showing much better coloration in the blooms as the bush grows and matures. Also Night Magic, Acapulco Gold, and Herm Geller.

Erny your HH bloom is just flat out amazing.  Great depth of color and the grouping of yellow spots is really cool.  I know the bush has a slow grower reputation but mine lately has been growing rather vigorously...

Farmer D

Here is White Hot on day 2.  I have mine planted right next to Acapulco Gold so it is getting intense full sun most of the day meaning the blooms are going to be tested to the max as far as longevity.  So far they are lasting over 2 days!

Also first bloom from my new Firestorm plant.  

Farmer D

Darren, that Midsummer Night looks like purple velvet--very rich looking.
Heartbreak Hotel has a very nice bush. It isn't reasl tall but it is full and well-branched.

My garden is going strangely quiet with most buds misfiring very early on and much tip die back...I'm thinking I am seeing the delayed results of me being gone for 3 weeks.  Hopefully this is the low point from that ...

Farmer D

Darren, I'm seeing a fair amount of bud drop too. Electric Orange is showing excellent form and color. Also Vin Beaujolais, Bright Hope, and Rose Quartz.

Erny

Flickering Flame, Acapulco Gold, Luck Be a Lady, Rocket's Red Glare, Daisy Mae, and California Beauty.

My hibiscus have slowed down also.

John that is surprising to hear that from you too...I know it is kind of early in the growing season so maybe it is still a little touch and go until things start to really heat up.

Normally I wouldn't be so focused on it but I was really surprised by all the die back on my branch tips.  Nearly every plant of mine has it so that has me a little concerned.  I did notice when I got back from my trip most of my plants looked thinned out so I figured they were/are under watered.  Yesterday a big soaking-fert feeding across all planters...

Well if all else fails I always have AG - sheesh this one is amazing!

Farmer D

Darren, that AG bouquet is unbelievable!!

Here is a pic of another plant I love to collect. Staghorn Ferns are very easy to grow in Houston's warm,humid climate.

Darren, that's a great color on Firestorm. I'm pretty sure my bud drop is caused by thrips since I'm still getting scratching on a lot of the bloom that do open. I haven't had any tip die back to speak of.
Most blooms are showing larger size and more vibrant colors as we head toward summer.

A few more from today.

Erny, your pics of Bright Hope inspired me to order one. ;D

Me as well.  I also got Cherry Glow based on Erny's pics so I am very curious to see how that one is over the course of the summer too.

Farmer D

Yes I am a perfectionist maniac as I have uprooted and moved more plants around lately.  Yesterday was the scariest of all moves as I moved my giant Tahitian Lavender Pastel to the backyard under my Babcock Peach Tree.  I've wanted to do this for well over a year once I saw how much the blooms fade in the sunlight - already much better results with today's bloom.  I hope it doesn't die down completely which was nice to see with Sizzle as it didn't flinch being moved to the backyard as well in lots of shade to get better coloration on her blooms...

Farmer D

First Chorus Line bloom.

John nice set of blooms.  I also have Chorus Line too so it is great to see what a bloom looks like.  I hope to see some more pink in it like the online store pics...

Farmer D

Darren, I think Chorus Line will show much more pink in your milder climate. It is hitting 96 everyday right now here.

Canary Song is such a bright yellow. Holds up in the heat very well.

John that Canary Song is very pleasant!

Farmer D

Darren, your hummingbird pics are awesome.

John your Wild Grape is looking pretty wild and awesome!

Erny emailed me that he cannot get access to HVH on the web.  Just wondering if anyone else has had similar issues this past week?

Farmer D

John, your Wild Grape is fabulous, as always. Great picture of your Voodoo Queen bush with the quads.

A few more

Last few

Darren, T. Sunset Splendor is out of this world.

Erny, glad to see you back.

Thanks John, it was one of the few that handled being on a pot on my porch all winter without too much issues.

Farmer D

Farmer D

Darren, seeing how much more colorful your Valentine's Day is than mine, I can't wait to see how Jolie looks like for you when it blooms.

First bloom on Fire and Ice today. Also Voodoo Magic, Thanksgiving, Illuminati, Palm Springs, and Electric Orange.

Eye of Kali is a nice rich yellow with a distinctive eye.

Rocket's Red Glare, Creme de la Creme, and Fifth Dimension.

Today's blooms

A few more

John loving the multiple bloom shots and now multiple page posts.  Can't wait for you to have a 3 post day soon!

First bloom of Bright Horizon for me...

Farmer D

Farmer D

So many beauties shown here lately! Its nice to see Chorus Line but I'm waiting to see if it makes the many blooms that we saw here in the greenhouse.

I had a treat yesterday, a couple of them actually. First is the new Butterscotch Bliss, showing a multitude of colors in the center area of the bloom. Might have to click the photo to see all the colors.

Second is my first bloom of Riptide, a variety that Chris Luk hybridized and sent to me. This is a second day bloom but I hope to catch an opening bloom shot on the next flower. Its made a good full bush so far in a 1 gallon pot. Very pretty, Chris.

Charlie

Darren, great first bloom on Bright Horizon. You'll find that it is very consistent. The colors on your AG and Firestorm are sizzling.
Charlie, that Butterscotch Bliss is really unique. I can't wait for mine to start blooming.
My first bloom on Gabriel today. Also Valentine's day, Rose Quartz, Creme de la Creme, and Creole Belle.

Erny

Rainbow Christie has produced my largest blooms thus far. There two measured 9 1/2" today. Also Acapulco Gold, Sea of Tranquility, Rose Quartz, Palm Springs, and Electric Orange.

Fifth Dimension produced a bunch of blooms today. Also Heartbreak Hotel, Voodoo Magic, Black Dream, Tahitian Taui, and Nightfire.

Charlie your BB sure has a lot going on in that bloom.  You have to take a little while to soak it all in...

Erny those Rainbow Christie blooms are totally awesome!  I've also been enjoying your Palm Springs blooms as I vicariously live through yours as mine is slowly waking up still which is strange as it is a 6 ft plus giant of a plant.

Farmer D

Erny, those Rainbow Christie blooms are awesome.

John it is very interesting how our Acapulco Gold blooms differ in appearance.  Your's is really fantastic too, I get a lot of enjoyment from the varieties where each bloom is unique.

Also like the Expect Miracles you added on to your post - mine unfortunately got wood rot at the base of the stem from the sponge during winter and went kaput.  I am now careful to remove as much sponge as makes sense when I plant my babies going forward.  Apparently winter cold makes that a good spawning ground for pathogens.

Farmer D

So many nice blooms its difficult to start, but here goes. Charlie that BB is one of the nicest cv’s I have ever seen, like Darren says there is so much going on you need to take time to look and enjoy. Erny the Rose Quartz is a beauty and your Fifth Dimension reminds me so much of my Pocahontas.
So nice to see Rainbow Christy, I have one coming; it’s going to be going in a devilish hot place so we will see how it does.

 The Electric Orange is nice, I actually binned mine [taking up pot space]. Often mentioned on here is what cv’s perform ok in the heat, truth is I think it would be easier to say to say which ones don’t as the majority are ok with a bit of time and effort.
I have had 40 or 50 cv’s and I can only think of 3 that don’t work well in high heat, 2 really as Bright Horizon I would buy again, its only flaw was I had to open by hand, Electric Orange and Transcendent being the other 2.
I did cross Transcendent with Saffron and the seedling was the same, 95% bud drop., nice bush though.
Darren all your work seems to be paying off, the improvement in colour is very noticeable on all your blooms.

Darren, sorry to hear you lost Expect Miracles. I lost my Black Dream 2 winters ago and was just able to replace it recently.

David thank you for the compliment on the bloom color depth.  I'm excited to see what happens when the temps really start to warm up here - hopefully starting next week...

John I was lucky as I was able to snag a replacement 4" Expect Miracles right before mine died so already got a new one growing...this time hopefully no miracles needed.

Farmer D

Just now my plants are starting to grow again after a round of branch tip die back and bud loss.  Some plants are finally showing baby buds, others not yet...surprising

Farmer D

John, I love the intense colors that you and Darren get on your Acapulco Golds. Hopefully mine will start to look more like that as the plant matures.
Hollywood Starlet reminded me today to be patient as it produced a bloom far nicer than any I have seen on it thus far. The bush is also incredibly full and lush. Also Rainbow Sherbert, Luck Be a Lady, and Cherry Glow.

Erny

Herm Geller is one of my favorites among the older cvs. It consistently produces lots of large well-formed blooms with a nice dark red eye. Also Funny Voodoo, Valentine's Day, California Beauty, and Burnt Saffron.

David, it's a shame that Electric Orange doesn't flourish in your climate. It certainly does well here in southern California. It forms one of the best bushes with lots of upright branches and produces lots of blooms that can be even more intensely colored than its parent Saffron. By pure chance I planted mine in an east facing row where it gets direct morning sun until about midday but is protected from the hot afternoon sun by a 10-12 foot tangerine tree and an 8-9 foot Sun Shower bush. I think I got lucky in planting it in that particular spot. Of course we don't get anything like the intense heat you have there. I wonder if high humidity might also be a factor.

Erny

Erny did you get a new camera cause the colors on HS and RS are intense!!  Really nice blooms today...

Farmer D

Erny that's something I never really considered [high humidity], I of course did try many areas of the house and garden for less sun but there is little I can do about the humidity, I cant really complain as I think the majority of my cv's benefit from the humidity, just did not seem to suit EO. At least I did get to see a couple of blooms and they where pretty special.

A nice P's Purple and one of my own today.

Here's some blooms from today.  I used the pollen from MBH on Creme de Cacao and Tigerama, hope it takes.

My Blue Heaven
Summer Shore



Patrick

Darren, same camera just better blooms. The colors are more intense when I can shade the plant with my body between the sun and the flower.

My Sparkling Water plant has been stagnant for several months. It never looked sick--just no new growth and no flowers. I thought its location might be a problem as a couple of adjacent plants also showed extremely slow growth and virtually no blooms. All my hibiscus are on a drip system but the plumeria planted among them are not. The plumeria get no water during the winter but I start using the hose on them when they start leafing out in the spring. While thinking about where to move my underperforming plants I started to give them some extra water via the hose while watering the plumeria. Boy, did I feel stupid. Within two days of giving SW more water new growth started shooting out from every branch and today, after less than a week, the first bloom in several months. I guess if plants could talk I might get a sarcastic "Thanks a lot for finally figuring it out."

Creme de la Creme is producing 8-8 1/2 inch blooms. Also Illuminati, Burnt Saffron, Hot Pepper, and Black Dream.

A few more: Heartbreak Hotel, Fifth Dimension, Kinchen's yellow, and Love Story.

Erny, thanks for sharing that funny story about watering more. Not an uncommon problem which is why we continue to talk about giving plenty of water. I've always done this in the greenhouse but I learned the hard way about our home garden due to a lucky leak. That summer the plant that was getting triple water due to the leak outgrew everything else by a bunch and the light went on for me similar to what you experienced.

I love those Creme de la Creme photos - showing its fancier and bigger side!

Charlie

Red Flair is showing some white spots as the temperatures gets hotter.

A fairly new one named Uninhibited is blooming well in the gh now. 6" flower but pretty colors.

Charlie

Blooms from yesterday and today

John I'm liking that Frappuccino

David your seedling bloom is great - congrats again!

Patrick nice bloom shots and contrasting colors with the dark background

Farmer D

Lovely set of pictures John, do you ever get the Frappuccino come as a double.

John, your Cindy's Heart and High Voltage bushes are looking great.
Some of today's blooms:

Donna Lynn, Renaissance Blue, Rainbow Sherbert, Summer Shore, and Voodoo Magic.

Great blooms everyone! Just now getting around to posting pics from the last few weeks! I have had a few personal first-time-blooms, which is always exciting! :)

I also had my first blooms of Too Hot To Handle!  :) This was one of the few CV's that survived being indoors over last winter.

Here's our first ever bloom from Cranberry Muffin, we have had the plant for 5 years. In early May I potted it into a extra large pot thinking that might help, well it looks like it did because it has several more buds forming.  My wife said it was worth the wait, she wanted me to order it the first time we seen it and every year she ask if it's going to bloom but this year she was surprised when I said yes.


Patrick

David, Frappuccino has always been a single for me.

Erny, High Voltage and Cindy's Heart are the 2 best varieties for my climate.

Wow that is a lot of great blooms everyone!

John loving your Jolie!!!

Paul it is great to see Too Hot to Handle - that is one fun bloom!

Patrick your CM is looking great - glad to see your patience is paying off finally...

Erny your Hollywood Starlet is starting to grow on me - the colors are starting to come out nicely on that one.  Your GP is probably one of the best I've seen to date.

Farmer D

Palm Springs is a great cv--it never disappoints. Also Really Red, Bon Temps, Chads, Burnt Saffron, and Angel's Wings.

Sun Shower, Electric Orange, Haute Coutere, and Rum Runner profusion.

Some blooms from today, Arabian Princess and Amethyst Crystal, AC doesn't look like the photo in the store but maybe it's because the weather is different here in Ohio.

Patrick

One new bloom for me from yesterday. Midsummer Night. :)

Great blooms everyone

Paul you're getting some tremendous color on MN!

Patrick that is a different look AC - your AP though is got some really nice color already!

John your RS just flat out rocks....

Erny I love the amount of color you're getting on your Bon Temps.  That bloom we saw at the HVH greenhouse of her is my goal.  It is one heck of a pretty bloom with the lilac blending with the pink surrounded in yellow.  We'll see if we can duplicate that!

Farmer D

Farmer D

Triplets at the in-laws yesterday

Farmer D

Pepper Spray is starting to show those really nice summer colors. Also today: Illuminati, Magic Crystal, Funny Voodoo, Rose Quartz, and Herm Geller.

Erny

Some Blooms from today.

Incandescent



Patrick

A couple of Magic Moments.
Next week the Big Reveal, putting in over 20 Hibiscus, that I got from Charlie, then I can start posting pics

The hot Texas sun can burn up most blooms but these two look perfect all day long.

Fairy Music bloomed today while I was at work. I would have love to have seen its colors when it first opened. But I must say, it is such a beautiful flower! The colors are so soft and delicate. I brought it inside tonight so I could take this picture. This is the best photo that I took, and it really doesn't do it justice. (My lighting situation was working against me.) I'll try to take another in the morning in better light. Enjoy!

I had plumeria long before I started with hibiscus. In fact, I first saw "fancy" hibiscus when they were included in a catalog of plumeria. Almost all of my old cvs came from that source 15-20 years ago. By sheer chance I found that the plumeria and hibiscus mixed well in the garden. The plumeria leaf out in the spring and provide some protection from the hot summer sun. They drop their leaves just before winter and thus allow the hibiscus to receive full sun all winter long. Here is Heartbreak Hotel  blooming in the shade of Plumeria Siam Ruby. Others from today include Vin Beaujolais, Silver Dragon, Rainbow Christie, Living Legend, and Fifth Dimension.

Erny

Bloom for the day, Tigerama.  Pollinated it with Creme de Cacao.


Thanks, Patrick

Got up early before work so I could take more photos with better lighting of Fairy Music. I love it!

Also this morning, my first Blue Ballerina.

Patrick, thanks for showing Tigerama. I don't recall seeing it on the forum before.
I got my long awaited first bloom on Fly Me to the Moon today (thanks, Chris). Also Pocahontas, Silver Memories, Eye of Kali, and Living legend profusion.

Erny

My second bloom on Riptide today. Also Daisy Mae, Sea of Tranquility.

A few more:  Old Spice, Gentle on My Mind, Bridal Path, and Haute Coutere.

Tigerama is looking pretty amazing Patrick!

Paul your Night Fire is fierce!

Erny nice to see Pocahontas and your Victoria's Touch is looking splendid!  I had quads on my Living Legend today so we're both looking good on that one...

Farmer D

All it takes is one worm to ruin a nice bloom - actually I have had a bunch of these buggers in many of my blooms that past couple weeks...

Farmer D

Amazing blooms everyone!

Erny- Loving your Victoria's Touch, Sea of Tranquility, and Fly Me To The Moon!

Patrick - That Tigerama is outstanding!

Farmer D - Living Legend is amazing! So vibrant! And your Tahitian Antique Purple is so beautiful! I'm excited to get the one I won on Ebay today. Gotta get that baby blooming! And White Hot.....yikes! Looks like it was a victim of a drive by shooting. Hope you get those worms under control soon.

Lots of great blooms for me today!

California Beauty

Here's a photo of Pumpkin Pie from today.


Patrick

Here's a photo of MaKenna (one of our seedlings)  parents are Rainbow Sherbet x Rosilind



Patrick

Paul, you have some really nice blooms there. Midsummer Night is especially intriguing. As a trivia buff i have to wonder if Flaming Star was named for the classic Elvis Presley movie with the theme song of the same title. In my opinion hands down the best movie Elvis ever made.
Patrick, what a beautiful seedling you have with your MaKenna. The colors just jump out at you.
The star performer in my garden today was Burnt Saffron with four large beautifully formed blooms. Also Secret Heart.

Erny

Luck Be a Lady, Rose Quartz, Magic crystal, Rainbow Christie.

Patrick the richness and deepness of the colour on your cv's is normally top drawer, but the picture of your latest seedling is so good I am not sure where it would go haha, really wonderful.

Patrick I second David's comments about MaKenna.  That is one heck of a seedling!  If I could I'd put that on my wish list...

Farmer D

Much nicer bloom on Thanksgiving today than what I've had before--but still nowhere near as nice as David's or John's. Also Fire and Ice, Magic Crystal, Fifth Dimension, and Eye of Kali.

Erny

The bright colors of Titian Venus are a real eyecatcher today. Also Valentine's Day, California Beauty, and Rocket's Red Glare.

Secret Heart, Acapulco Gold, Black Dream and Creole Belle.

Summer Shore, Blue Ballerina, and Funny Voodoo.

Funny how you miss a bloom when you're looking again later...Vin Electrique

Farmer D

First Bright Hope bloom

Erny nice to see Titian Venus glowing in your garden.  I got both TV and Best Friend last year with one dying of root rot and the later one never came.  I am on my second of both now with TV being a monster bush so I hope to see blooms one day soon...

Farmer D

John, that's a great first bloom on Bright Hope--perfect form and colors. Also Flickering Flame, Bridal Path, Rosalind, and Tahitian Sophistication.

Erny

 Summer Shore.