Hidden Valley Hibiscus Forum

I gave this flower the made-up name Giganormous (gigantic + enormous) because I had never before or since had a hibiscus variety that made 11 inch wide flowers regularly. As far as I know, this is the biggest hibiscus r-s in existence. However, it has its flaws - mainly a thin texture, unexciting color, and a tendency toward sprawling branches.

I am going to continue this thread with comments made by others who have grown this currently very rare cv, and commented on it publicly elsewhere. Please feel free to add your own comments by replying to this thread.

Charlie

From Pat Merritt

For those who wish to see what Joe is talking about, attached is a picture
of Giganormous as it bloomed in our yard. It is one of Charles Black's
creations and is a huge bloom. A bit thin on texture and is so heavy it
tends to be pendulous, Texas judges never gave it much notice. Its subtle
coloration may have been overshadowed by bolder-hued blooms. It was a
terrific bloomer for us.

Pat in Houston

From Joe Ludick in Florida:

"-do you grow and have you seen Giganourmous????may not be right spelling----but it is the biggest bloom ever and a show winner----Carl Cathey grows it and it always in bloom."

Another from Joe Ludick:

-I do not grow giganormous---but whenever I visit my friewnd who has a bush it is looking up to the sun. bush is a good straight up and down. Do not know why more people do not grow it.

IT would be nice if the petals overlapped. Add one more fault. despite it's many faults it may be just what I need to cross with Blue Ballerina to get some size in my blues....

Making crosses with large flowers in an effort to get more large flowers is an obvious and sound strategy. However, in my experience it only occasionally results in what one is after. I have used the very large flowered 'Fantasy Charm' in many crosses and the only big offspring of hers that comes to mine is a double - First Lady (Rosalind x Fantasy Charm). Giganormous' own parents were not particularly large either. Sometimes the genes just combine in ways that give surprising results. That said, the only better strategy than using large flowered varieties to make more large flowered varieties would be to identify varieties that have actually made new large flowered varieties and use those for that purpose.

Charlie

Charlie who are the parents of giganormous ? will there be any for sell this year ?

I haven't grafted any yet, but it has crossed my mind to do so. It's about time to make some crosses with it and see if anything as big but with fewer flaws results. I can't locate parentage but think I have it somewhere.

Charlie

Cool , I hope you do graft it soon I might want one . I want to do a few experiments with it  ;)