Hidden Valley Hibiscus Forum

Hi all - figured I'd start up the August thread.

Some blooms from the last couple days in early August:

Tahitian Princess - Had this CV a while now. It teased me with one bloom about a year ago and nothing since. It's taken it's time, but has steadily grown into a nice looking plant and has recently begun to bud up.  I'm excited about observing it's blooming phase as I love this flower.

Prosperity is now budding up rapidly after growing out a bit and putting out multiple blooms.

Blue Ballerina getting nicer, darker color.

Bright Hope being it's usual awesome self.  Most of these CV's are in my office water cooler hibs section and are always a crowd pleaser :)

I recently moved into a new office with a window that gets decent sun despite having a view of a rather unsightly office building.  I figured what better way to spruce things up then by adding some lovely hibiscus?  From left to right: Girl Next Door, Burnt Saffron, Pinot Noir, My Blue Heaven, Magic Crystal, Acapulco Gold, Sea of Tranquility & Wow Factor. I'd say they are currently receiving about 4 hours of direct sunlight per day, maybe more so I'll see how they do here.

Also Rainbow Christie, Creme de Cacao, True Love & another Sugar Kisses from today.

Thanks David for making the August thread. 
It took all summer for my Tahitian Princess to bloom.  I even gave it prime location  over the winter under Led's when it was a houseplant up until May when it returned outside.   Based on my observation it needs lots of direct sun and lots of nutrients to bloom.  It's not the right cv for me and will be disposed of along with a few older varieties when fall arrives to make things more manageable for me.     
Pinot Noir
Tahitian Princess
Houseplant seedling Prom Queen day 2 5".   
Rum Runner day 2. 
Space Oddity.

Laughing Fountain  1 bloom 2 different times.
I wish I had a scrim to photograph this bloom in the sun.
A photography scrim is a mesh filter often made of white cotton that filters direct sun so the flower is not overexposed.   The scrim is held up above the flower to filter the sun when taking a photo.   

My  first flower ever! Been waiting  since 7 received  this  in April!

Brenden, it's beautiful.  Congrats!
Kathleen

Congrats Brenden - nice bloom!

Thank You Kathleen and Dave!!!!  I immediately got pollen and preserved it, then took the flower and got it in Silica as well.  Sentimental Value. First one, you know?   And Kathleen, catch up with me!  Were in this together haha

Hey Dave, I can't help but wonder, do you EVER have an issue with people messing with the plants?  I work at a Hospital with beautiful windows, but the fact that it is so keenly incorporated with healthly/unhealthy traffic, as well as the kids, I am discouraged to bring them. Ever have any issues?

Hi Brenden, good question.  I work at a law school and I haven't really had any issues with people messing with them too much.  People of course like to touch the blooms, but most are pretty gentle and I've found these plants to be pretty resilient anyway.  A pulled off leaf here and there doesn't really bother me as more will grow in its place.  I've actually had more trouble with top heavy plants outside tipping over from strong wind than anything at the office!

In my situation, there aren't many small children around though so that may be something worth keeping an eye on if you are considering bringing some into the hospital. I guess I was a bit concerned at first that someone would just steal a plant (like over the weekend or something) but we have security guards here at all times and cameras throughout the school.  Plus once they get big, it would be obvious if someone were walking out with one and all of the security guards know me well and know that the plants are mine.  My best advice would be to test it out with a few plants first and see how it goes!  Definitely keep your most "prized" hibs at home where you know they are safe.  I can tell you that with the adequate sunlight that large windows afford these plants can do very well indoors under these controlled conditions.  They also bring a ton of joy to people here and are always a topic of conversation. I think they would absolutely do the same at a hospital where people could use something to brighten their day oftentimes.

Another thing to consider in the office: pests.  Spider mites can be a problem indoors at times and I've also seen my share of aphids and white fly indoors.  As there are very limited natural predators to control these pests from multiplying rapidly, make sure to have your preferred choice of mite control on hand.  I use Bayers 3 in 1 for controlling aphids and white fly, but I've found that white flies build up a resistance to Bayers, so also keep a spray bottle with soap and water and a few drops of neem oil to take care of them.  Best of luck!

That's interesting, David.

Speaking of hospitals, Brendan, that reminds me of something I hope we see more of in the future. Since hibiscus are perfect flowers for carrying around without water, it is very easy to pick a bunch of blooms and carry them into a hospital (or nursing home or anyplace people have restricted mobility) and show them around or place them around in public areas. They only last for a day or two but are much appreciated during that time!

Some years back one of the hibiscus growers wife worked as a waitress. She brought blooms to work and offered them to her customers. They loved it and she got nice tips! I met another guy who liked to take a few with him most days and leave them with bank tellers, store clerks, etc. Spreading the joy, so to speak.

Charlie

Wow, I just noticed that the HVH Forum passed 200,000 page views for the month of July, the second highest page view ever behind this past May. That's a lot of people enjoying the photos and comments posted here!

Charlie

Kyle - Really like your Prom Queen.  I may have missed this, but what are the parents of this seedling if you don't mind sharing?  

Charlie - I'm happy to hear that the forum is getting lots of views.  Personally, I hope the amount of posting increases again as well as I've learned a lot from people who've posted in the past (and of course you!)

Thunder Egg with some gold specks and a nice intense eye.  How's your TE doing Kyle?

Tahitian Princess continues it's budding up phase after taking it's time growing out and put out a nice couple the other day.  Here's a shot of the whole plant at this time.

Mandarin Sunset - This plant has stayed compact without much branching, but I really like the upright form of the bush. It an easy plant for me to move as it hasn't grown wide which at times can be nice.  It's also began budding up nice and here's a bloom that popped up the other day.

Blue Ballerina with some cute doubles next to one another.  Another nice compact bush, but it is beginning to spread out some more.

Valentine's Day - One of my favorite classics.  A bit of white splashing in on this one.

Electric Plum indoors under T5's.

I brought one to work today, sell the only one that is blooming that is, on all 3 of my others not a single sign, Valentines  day, lila, as well as golden gate. But so far. Everyone is blown away, I take great pie knowing no one around d has it! I'm looking in all the patient  rooms, to see if anyone has one regular  tropical  one and see if I can utilize the pollen while it is still viable.  Also  if you guys are interested, this has definitely  provoked me to be 2 even more garden savvy. I am currently raising monarch  butterflies.

Congrats Brenden
David my Prom Queen seedling was a free seed from when the International Hibiscus Society had a seed bank program.    It was hybridized by Sonny Stallings and is {The Path x (Flameball x C'est Bon)}. Flowers are 4-5" small.   I have some seedlings going Pinot Noir x Prom Queen.  
David my Thunder Egg has finally started to bloom this year.    After being in the house for 6 months with no direct sun and hardly any artificial light on it, it took 2 months to acclimate it outside.   My Thunder Egg only gets a few hours of weak morning sun and is in the shade now by 11:30am.  It recently just took off and built up an immunity to the weak morning sun.  My hibiscus are not getting much sun anymore at the most 2-3hrs a day but sit in very bright shade with a ton of reflected sunlight coming off the garages.    My brother and I took almost 500 photos this past weekend and I had this crazy Space Oddity that I can't reveal at the moment.   Here are some photos that I took from my point and shoot.
2 Tarzans am and pm

Thunder Egg's 1st bloom 2015  and #2 following day.

Tahitian Princess and my new hummingbird friend that feed at least 4 and 5 times a day.
This was the first weekend that it started to feed when I'm outside around the flowers.  He especially like the Tahitian Princess this weekend.    I hope to get some better photos as I was inside when I took these.
He is green with a white spot and decent size.

Silver Lining did not take well to shipping.  This was a rare occasion of it opening this much.
To capture all 3 of the Rum Runner flowers, I took a sweeping panoramic.

Laughing Fountain at the end of the day.   Sun was setting fast and I didn't have enough light for the photos..    When I brought the bloom inside I was able to get the true colors.  
Time For Magic end of day 1.    I wish I could have been home in the morning when this one opened. 

The foliage on Tarzan is heavy textured unlike anything I have seen before.    Everything about this cultivar is superb and the personality takes it to another level.   
Here are a few blooms from this week.   
Check out this manly Tarzan bloom.  The bloom has a chin, eyebrows, and ears.   I love it! 
I get really excited the night before Tarzan opens.   I like to spend the morning watching it open if I'm home.
Laughing Fountain summer look coming to a close soon with fall right around the corner.   
 

Last of my 3 blooms  😟... I feel like  I just  used  my last  sparkler .
I did swap  the  pollen  as soon  as  they  flowered.

Good god  those  pistols are long!

Kyle - Thanks for sharing the seedling info on Prom Queen.  I'd be interested to see how its cross with Pinot Noir turns out. Your Thunder Egg and Tarzan are looking great as is your Silver Lining as far as I can see. Nice shot of your Rum Runners and those shots with the humming bird on Tahitian Princess are awesome - well done!

Brenden - Looks like you're starting to gets some blooms now! Hopefully the plants take well at the hospital.

Charlie - Really informative newsletter this month.  It has helped answer some of the questions I've had about leaf cupping and flowering in high outdoor heat and humidity.  Very interesting to see how some of these CV's react to extreme weather as you will also see in some of my photos below. It's also great learning more about hybridizing and the endless quest to create "perfect" hibiscus.  Thanks to you and Cindy for these informative articles.

Mandarin Sunset - Nice triples from the other day as this CV has now begun budding up nicely.  You will notice the one yellow leaf which I am assuming the high heat and humidity has affected the pigment.

Kilimanjaro - First bloom of the summer as this CV took a while to recover from some mites and being indoors over the winter, losing lots of leaves.  Another bloom where it seems the high heat may have impacted its pigmentation.  An awesome CV, so I'm excited it's now bouncing back.

White Hot - Nice doubles from the other day.  You can see the sun and heat have actually burned/browned the petals on the bloom on the right.

Night Runner - As said here many times before, wonderful blooms, but a very difficult plant to get growing upright.  If I can't get this CV to stay upright, I may consider making it a hanging plant as had been suggested on the forums in the past.

Also Black Dragon and Marianne Charleton blooming indoors.

Cindy and I spent Saturday at Erny's house where the latest meeting of the Southern California Hibiscus Society was held. Erny has done an incredible job of growing hibiscus in both front and back yards. Many of the plants are well over 6 feet high and all are very full and healthy looking. I don't know how many he has planted - but looked like at least 200 beautiful specimens! Truly a sight to behold.

Cindy wants to build a web page about this garden so many more photos will be coming to the web site by and by. Today I am attaching 2 of them to provide a little preview of how wonderful this garden has become. The first is a Cindy's Heart plant in full bloom, with me standing at the side and Erny in the background. The second is a shot of his flower bed located along the road in front of the house. The 2 palm trees are among the most massive I have seen - keep in mind that the tallest of the hibiscus here is about 12 feet high and they all are at least my height. Amazing sight, everywhere you look!

Charlie

Since June 27th it has been 85-90F hot and sunny.  I think it rained 1 time since then for 1 hour.  
Unfortunately a few days it dropped into the 40's the 3rd week of August and pretty much wrapped up my season.  This cold weather is unusual for this time of year but I suspect it will warm up again but my hibiscus did not take well to the sudden drop in temps and days getting shorter.  In addition to that, spider mites keep trying to take over.  I'm ready for my season to end.  I'm pruning early this year because I need a break.  
Space Oddity opening and at 8pm   
Thunder Egg  

Pinot Noir
another Space Oddity
I have noticed Thunder Egg's blue comes out more as the day goes on.

Kyle your blooms are off the charts!  Fantastic results and a pure pleasure to view.

David you are getting some insane blooms as well.  You have hit the ground running when it comes to growing these beauties!  Great job and keep them bloom posts coming.

Brenden you are doing a fine job!  Stay positive and keep asking lots of questions as you figure out what works best in your growing conditions there.  You are on your way!!

Charlie that was one fine meeting at Erny's house last Saturday.  I cannot describe the quantity of blooms we saw and I was very impressed, even surprised at how healthy and large Erny's plants have become.  Just when you think you have seen it all and know mostly everything you come across something like that and it amazes and humbles you at the same time.  I wish everyone could have been there to see what we saw.  It was groundbreaking!

I continue with my catching up of bloom photos....I hope you all don't mind so many photos.  I just love sharing the awesome beauty that comes from Charles' amazing creations.

By the way the Show Stopper bloom below is a result of my spraying herbicide on the lawn in front of it.  I guess the roots have grown from the planter into the soil under my lawn.

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Farmer D

Great blooms Farmer D, I spent my entire lunch break looking at them.  Thank you!

The lack of direct sun and cool temps takes these blooms 2 sunrises and 2 days to completely open.  
The break from summer heat will allow them to stay open for 3-5 days.
All summer up until last week my outdoor blooms were usually open by 9:30am-10:30am day 1.
Wow Factor houseplant is under a full spectrum led light and is completely open by 10am or sooner inside.

more day 2 blooms.
silver lining day 3

First bloom off of my True Love plant :) For the next flower I think I'll try bringing it in out of the heat so it can develop more vibrant colors.

Silver Lining
Pinot Noir