Hidden Valley Hibiscus Forum

BonTemps
(http://i52.tinypic.com/mhyret.jpg)

Beautiful!  I love the ruffles.  :)

That's a nice start to October!

Charlie

Doll's picture of Bon Temps is one of the nicest Hibiscus i have ever seen,it looks nothing like the one in the Gallery and it will be my new  desktop wallpaper till i see a better photo, which could be quite a time,really wonderfull and a joy to see.

Thanks everyone. I didn't realize BonTemps had such a ruffled flower. Not sure why there was not much pink color since the weather has really cooled down here.

I've not seen a Bon Temps look quite like that one but hibiscus are quite variable and react to so many factors that this is obviously one of its many possible looks. One of its drawbacks here is that it doesn't open fully all the time.

Charlie

A nice P's Purple at the end of the day.
(http://i53.tinypic.com/2ijkj2p.jpg)

I also have a P's Purple today,nice ruffle on it as well. Not sure what i am going to do with the bush though,it gets bigger by the day and needs a bit of staking.

Thats quite a bush, Doll! P's Purple has a lot of vigor for such a simple flower. It passed that trait on to its offspring Sparkling Water and Ice Fairy - all 3 have these smaller flowers on top of big strong growing bushes. The European varieties that P's Purple came from would all be treated with growth retardant chemicals as they grew before being shipped to customers in Europe. We don't do that to our hibiscus and the result is some big potted plants!

Charlie

That's a gorgeous Bon Temps bloom.  Mine is on its second summer and still not even one bud and it's now in an 8" pot and is a nice looking bush. 

I haven't had any success with Dupont hybrids.  Magnifique and Voodoo Magic don't bloom for me either.  That may open up 3 spaces for some of Charlies new beauties if this trend continues.  I threatened to send my never bloomed in 4 years Bubble Gum Fun to the compost pile this spring if it didn't do something soon and it has had fabulous blooms this summer.  Coincidence?  I wonder.

dave

That's funny about Bubble Gum Fun, Dave.

One Dupont variety that I hope will do better is Black Dream. I have been getting some nice, big blooms on this one in 2 gallon pots since the weather warmed up. Here is one that bloomed this week that was at least 8 inches, larger than I've seen in the past.

Charlie

Charlie you are right about Bubble Gum Fun.  Was it the threat, me moving it from a thin light weight dark green plastic pot to a heavier white one, or just a coincidence?

I would have jumped at Black Dream if it had been available in either 4 or 6 inch pot size.

dave

Dave, I don't know what happened with BG Fun. Others, I think Nina was one, had a similar experience in that just as they were about to give up on it the plant started blooming.

We will have some Black Dream in smaller pots next year.

Charlie

Still the only ones blooming, thought I would share anyhow...

Aha! The rare yellow Saffron bloom - thought it was Cosmic Gold at first. This happens when Saffron is grown in low light conditions. Pretty this way, too. Simple Pleasures looks really nice today!

Charlie

That's a very pretty yellow on Saffron, very warm. Makes me even sadder that mine passed away suddenly last month...I don't even know what happened :(

My hibs have been blooming steadily. The ones I received as 4"ers a few months ago are starting to bud up, even Cranberry Muffin which sometimes seems to take a while, so I'm very extited about it.

My first Acapulco Gold:

Nice show of P's Purple today.

Another cool Robin hood bloom!  Such a saturated red/orange and dark eye.  Looks like twins tomorrow, better not miss it :)

Uli, we're also starting to get a lot of blooms in our garden - latest year I can remember but at least its finally happening and good sunny weather in the 10 day forecast.

4 P's Purple flowers on Doll's TX bush - must be moderating weather there now that hopefully will continue for a month or two.

Robin Hood will get one's attention with those intense red/brown colors. Thanks for showing, Chris.

Charlie

Charlie its not Dolls bush,its mine. Dolls pictures tend to look more professional than mine ha ha.

Ahh yes, David, I see that now. So what are the day and night temperatures in Vietnam now?

Charlie

Day and night about the same,75f which is low for here,fortunately we have had some overcast days which allthough uncomfortable for me with the high humidity it does keep the hibs out the blazing sun.

Charlie i wanted to tell you about a garden Hibiscus i bought which i am quite exited about.
Here in Vietnam you can only get about 5 colors and the red on the left of the picture is the norm.
Well a few weeks ago i bought another red for the sole purpose at having another go at grafting, i picked out this bush[only 1 dollar] as it looked nice and strong and i thought ideal. Then it started to bloom,and a bit of a suprise,its much different with a really strong red and black with a touch of white, even the petals curl at the edge,totally unique and certainly never seen before here, needless to say i shan't be using it for grafting but will take a few cuttings.
 Have you any idea why this as happened.

That is quite a difference, David. The exotic answer is that you might be looking at a genetic mutation, what is called a "sport". But before that can be determined a simpler solution could be that the new flower is the way the standard red in Vietnam blooms in cooler, shadier weather. I have no idea if that is true but it would not be a surprising outcome. Another factor could be that the nutrition you are giving the new one has brought out the full potential of the flower.

Back to the exotic answer. If the plant was supposed to be the normal red, and if the seller has not seen the new flower before, there is a chance that a mutation occurred. When that happens it only affects the branch that shows the new flower, the other branches will continue to bloom the way they always have.

Now here is where it gets tricky. If the mutation happened back at the nursery that grew the plant, and cuttings were taken of the branch with the mutation, and if you bought one of those cutting grown plants, then the entire plant will bloom with the new mutation. But, if the mutation happened with your plant for the first time then you should take cuttings from that branch and grow them up. The new plants will have the new flower although in some cases they can revert to the old flower but that is not common.

Another possibility is that someone in Vietnam has been hybridizing and that this new red flower is one of the new hybrids created there. I don't know if it is possible for you to learn anything from the seller about this new one, but if he could tell you anything about it that would help determine what is going on.

Very interesting to see this, in any case.

Charlie

Robin hood on its third day and another one opened today. 

Here is the bush :D

Robin Hood blooms pretty well for you up there in Seattle. I'm sure you are ready for the rest of the hibs to grow back to blooming stage.

Charlie

Melon Mélange on  a strong bush, thats Pineapple Sundae in the background.

The last picture is later in the afternoon and the petals have rolled back, difficult to capture but it is a very handsome bush which needs no staking even with the high winds on my roof.

David, your rooftop garden is a pleasure to behold. I'm sure the tropics have their challenges but for hibiscus growing it has its advantages, too. Just beautiful!

Charlie

David, I love that last photo.  You do just fine capturing the beauty of that flower along with the paradise behind it!  Thanks for sharing.

Wow Dave, your plants get so big, fast!  I guess the hibiscus know when they are home :P

Charlie, its driving me nuts, since many of the varieties I moved are slowering growing, I am just now seeing defined shoot development!  I also think that bring them indoors helped quite a bit, but geez they are growing slow.

Thanks everyone for the nice coments, i am not sure i agree with them growing fast though, i am well into my second year now and its only recently that they seem to have really taken off, of course i cant be certain but it seems to me that they need  at least a year to establish themselves and then they start to grow much better. No doubt Charlie will know if this is the case.

Yes, David, that is very common. We've often seen hibiscus grow roots first after being transplanted into a larger pot and then the tops follow. The more roots they grow the better able they are to support larger more vigorous top growth. There are hormone signals involved as well as the ability to absorb more nutrients and water.

Cindy is updating the HVH store right now, in case anyone needs just 1 more hibiscus before winter sets in...........   :)

Charlie

Oh no... it is happening... must resist temptation!  On a side note I am really happy you are offering the pruning spray, that is going to be something I need to get when I need to prune again.  I definitely see a few cut branches looking a little black... I think they will be ok now that they are indoors. 

David, I definately see that as well, I am just now getting growth again on my plants that were pruned and repotted about a month ago.  It takes at least a month for me to start seeing top growth after transplanting.  Which makes sense since usually there is a change in hormones that leads to root growth over top growth. 

Did I really miss Blue Ballerina???  Really???

A collection of cv's all on the wrong bushes. If its going to be a real scorcher or a tropical storm i have started cutting my blooms in the morning and placing them on the cv's that are at the front of the garden and under cover,not only does it look nice but in the case of P's Purple [5 blooms today and are sitting on a Melon Melangi bush] they actually last longer.

Cheating a bit i know but as you can see in the second photo that my garden is just an extension of my lounge and it helps me enjoy the blooms more.

David, not cheating at all. Moving blooms around to where they display best if a very old tradition with hibiscus growers. That is one of the advantages of hibiscus compared to many other flowers - they do not need water after picking and can be placed in house, hair, or anywhere one wants to use them.

Again, what a great place you have there for enjoying the bounties of the tropics!

Charlie

Awesome balcony!!  I would never leave my house!

David, your balcony is beautiful.

First Voodoo Magic bloom.
(http://i56.tinypic.com/2ztkf91.jpg)

Alongside one of my garden varieties - Cile Tinney
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2pyw76s.jpg)

David,

You have a wonderful balcony! When I think about all the mud in which I walk in my greenhouse.... In your beautifull arrangement, the beauty of those gorgeous blooms is in full strength. Very, very nice!

Hello David,

My Goodness, your place is outstanding. so perfect. obviously its the best weather conditions for hibiscus

louis

Great patio David!

My parents sent me a picture of Space Oddity that I left with them when I moved.  I am told that it has multiples almost everyday and has been blooming well in the heat that started the last few weeks.  This is the plant that was labeled Cinnamon Girl, and it has definitely captured everyone's attention, best mistake I can remember :) 

Thanks for that Charlie , i dont know why but i did feel guilty cutting the blooms each day.
No fancy Hibiscus today but i cut again as we are really in the rainy season now and it adds a lovely bit of color to the front of the garden rather sitting out there and getting drowned in a few minuits.

Its been described as a balcony, a patio etc,but for those interested it is actualy the roof of the house next door [which i own] ,so when i built my appartment i desighned it so when i opened the back doors of my lounge i strolled over a bridge on to the roof. Its all ok now but i had a devil of a job getting everything up there,especially the big trees, and everybody's lovely comments has made it even more worth while, thank you.

You had a right good result there,truly lovely,there must be at least 6 colors. Charlie has it growing in the gallerie as well so i will keep my eyes open for it.

You would like this one alot david.  It was a mislabeled cinnamon girl and it has been blooming great in the 90+ degree days in the high dessert, which is where my parents live.

I have seen a photo of Space Oditty from a friend in Paris. It is a very badly reflexed bloom. She says that the bloom is very rarely flat. So strange.

I have the similar problem with Barry Schlueter's Royal Velvet, always deformed at my place, and obviously very much appreciated by Berry.

So, any idea which condition may provoke the reflexing of hibiscus blooms??? MIne and my Paris friend's are in the greenhouses.

Chris, that is a wonderful photo of Space Oddity in bloom. Thanks for sharing it.

David, what variety is the one in your photo on the far left side with the lavender and pink blooms?

Nina, flower reflexing is something of a mystery but one thing I have observed is that there is more reflexing and more severe reflexing in an unheated greenhouse during summer than outdoors. This I suspect is due to the fast temperature rise inside a greenhouse once the sun comes up as opposed to the more slowly rising temperatures outdoors. Flower opening is caused by the cells in the petals filling with water and the swelling size of these filling cells causes the unfolding of the petals. This filling and swelling with water is mediated by temperature, light, and plant hormones. My best guess is that reflexing happens in blooms whose cells fill too quickly and completely (or maybe unevenly) with water and that these reflexed blooms then relax into a normal shape as excess water drains away during the day. Maybe Chris knows something more about this phenomenon. It is an interesting question.

Space Oddity does often reflex when it first opens (as we point out in the online store description) which is one of the reasons we gave it that name - the flowers can look distinctly odd when the reflex is severe. However the colors are so nice and the bloom does take normal shape often enough that we think it is well worth growing. Nice bush, too, unlike many that come from 5th Dimension.

Charlie

 ;D I Finally have something different to share!!   ;D

My Voodoo Magic has had this bud on it for over a month, and it has looked like it was about to bloom any minute for over a week! :-\
I put the pollen on Cindy's Heart and hers on it, but shortly after, CH fell off.  It was a couple days old.  So prolly no match either way.  Charlie, does this one have good pollen or set seed?

Kristen, I love Voodoo Magic. Mine, I have 2 (an original plant and a cutting) have been blooming like crazy for the past few weeks. Pretty little things :)

I don't think they set seed tho, but I read here somewhere that occasionally they have good pollen. Maybe it was too late for CH this time, but there's always next time. Good luck!

Edit: I added my first Simple Pleasures bloom...love it!

Great photos of Voodoo and Simple Pleasures... I need to take more photos now!  My VM has been blooming its head off the past few weeks.  The flowers are opening a lot more reliably now that it has cooled off here and I'm working on getting rid of thrips.  VM doesn't do well with thrips....

HI everyone,

Several plants are blooming today. Creole Lady, Cosmic Gold and  a new plant, Acadian Springs.

Acadian Springs is a large bloom, measuring 10 inches in diameter. I have several photos of Creole Lady to show you a single, partial double in morning colors and one in its afternoon dress. Its amazing the difference in lady's colors from morning to evening.

I did not post a photo of cosmic gold, she suffered a feline attack.

Louis

ACADIAN SPRINGS

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hibiscus-10-12/acadian%20springs.jpg)

CREOLE LADY IN MORNING COLORS - 2 IMAGES


(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hibiscus-10-12/creole%20lady%20-%201.jpg)


(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hibiscus-10-12/creole%20lady%20-2.jpg)

CREOLE LADY IN EVENING DRESS

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hibiscus-10-12/creole%20lady%20-%203.jpg)

Wow Louis,  I never knew CL was so beautiful.  Too bad about the bad kitty...  I have some more photos to share of VM.  I took some tonight now that it is fully open.  It has more defined red showing now, and I am so amazed with the boarder of yellow and an almost flourescent orange.  I may be moving this bloom up to my favorite spot...Although I must say, I am so into hibiscus, and have so many to see a 1st bloom on, that when I do, I think I will think they are all my favorite.

  How big is VM supposed to be.  This one is only about 5 1/2".

I actually used my real camera for these photos...no more point and shoot.

Voodoo magic and Creole lady are beauties, perhaps crossing those two would pass on that beautiful tufting both blooms have.

Charlie this is the most common garden variety Hibiscus in Vietnam,the photo yesterday seemed to capture it a bit darker where as today oustide on the bush its much more pink. It blooms nearly every day of the year.

hello kristen,

your photographs of VM are splendid. good shooting. what camera are you using.

i had a great VM plant also, but it made a good salad for the deer. i would like to get another one.

charlie, if you are "listening" do you have any more VM's.

louis

Voodoo Magic has never set seed for me. But then, neither has Cindy's Heart so I'm not going to say it is impossible. The gentler the conditions the better chance there is. Voodoo Magic only makes good pollen when the conditions are right but if you see some nice fluffy pollen, use it! BTW, it is fun to look at pollen with a magnifier and particularly when applying the pollen to staminal pads. Try it and you'll learn a lot about the way pollen transfers to the pads.

Very nice photos of this prettiest of brown flowers! 5.5 inches is fairly typical but the range is 5 to 7 inches.

Charlie

Geez, Lou, great photos of Creole Lady. Must be a good time of year for her with cooler temps and less sun allowing the very pretty colors to show to fine advantage. Acadian Springs is not a show stopper colorwise but the huge size of the blooms gives it plenty of impact when seen in person.

You asked about Voodoo Magic availability and off hand I think we only have the new 4 inch pots of it at present. I will look around to see if any larger pots are still with us but I don't think there are any.

Charlie

Chris, I think it's about time to find out if Creole Lady sets seeds. Anybody tried crossing on it yet? I like the good full bush and it would be worth working with. Since Voodoo Magic is not a good seed setter this is the only chance for the cross you propose. The colorfast pigments in Voodoo Magic are also worth passing on.

Charlie

David, thanks for the new photo of the Viet garden variety. I thought it was a stretch for there to be a lavender there. Did you notice that the flower in today's photo only has 4 petals instead of the 5 hibiscus are supposed to have?

Charlie

Charlie,

creole lady does set seed. i tried an experiment and crossed acadian springs with CL just to see what would happen. i have had several seed pods on CL over the past few weeks. i did not do anything with them, obliviously she self pollinated. both acadian and lady have nice pollen.

louis

I've had several pods on Creole Lady but no seeds yet, the pods were all empty.

There seems to be a lot of excitement generated by CL photos. In my opinion it is one of these varieties that looks much better in pics than in the yard. After the inital colors fade the blooms look washed out from a distance and just aren't the attention grabbers my others are. Viewed close up they are pretty (definitely not stunning), in photos they shine.  Just my opinion, of course :)

Hi, Charlie,

Thanks for your answer on reflexing. I will experiment next year with my Royal Velvet.
do you have some equally useful observations about the blooms that refuse to open and stay trumpet shaped? I also have some like that, that in some others parts of the world do at least better, if not open fully, like Gator Pride or Night Runner. Both are at my place totally trumpet shaped, always, winter and summer.

Another Voodoo Magic today.
(http://i56.tinypic.com/15mbo1s.jpg)
Alongside a garden variety - Sunny Wind
(http://i55.tinypic.com/116i4ht.jpg)

Louis,

  Thanks for the compliment.  I work with a Nikon D2Xs.  It is a great camera for sports.  I need to get a macro lens, it is killing me to take photos without one, as Macro is my passion.

  As far as CL X VM,  maybe you and I can make a date one day and let your CL meet my VM and see if they hit it off?  I have a couple buds on VM right now that will hopefully bloom soon.  Let me know if you are interested.  You are about an hour and a half away, we can meet half way or something.  Although I would be interested in seeing your greenhouse.
~Kristen

A few from the past few days: Belle and "baby Belle", and a variety of Creole Ladies

P's Purple and a little Crab Spider on Russ Estey

Edited to add Magic Moments and Voodoo Magic

  As far as CL X VM,  maybe you and I can make a date one day and let your CL meet my VM and see if they hit it off?  I have a couple buds on VM right now that will hopefully bloom soon.  Let me know if you are interested.  You are about an hour and a half away, we can meet half way or something.  Although I would be interested in seeing your greenhouse.
~Kristen


hi kristen,

we may have to wait till spring. it was getting too gangly so i did a severe prune on it. it was taking up too much space. i hate when they get gangly. i usually do air layering to make smaller plants.

louis

Uli....I love the spider!!  wow nice photos...here is a few from the last couple of days.. :lynette

and a few more ;D

one more....

Uli, I have to agree about Creole Lady. I have blooms every day on the bigger plants of it I have but I'm still waiting to see the one to photograph that would equal the photos that have been posted. It is a decent bush that blooms well, but the colors could be more colorfast for my taste.

Charlie

Louis, when you say Creole Lady set seeds did you mean you have harvested good black seeds from a pod or that pods have formed after crossing but are still developing?

I'm still a bright color fan and Mother your photos are nice to see!

Some blooms today that I have not shown in awhile:

Jewel of the Nile - slow growing but blooms well
Fabulous - 8 inch flowers today on this tried and true variety
Blues In the Night - excellent 7 inch blooms on a good bush
Sparkling Water - holding color well on an overcast day, fast growing strong bush
Stormy Heart - pretty 6 inch flowers on this newer variety

Charlie

charlie.....The last photo is really pretty.....and I also have fabulous and it is much prettier in person than the web photo....I also have sparkling water...luv it ..the only thing is my blooms only last one day :(....lynette

 What beauty!
I congratulate!

hi charlie,

when i received the bush there were two seed pods. i left them on the bush. one fell off and the other opened and it was a couple of days before i noticed it. i did find several seeds on the floor. i have planted them to see what comes of it.

i had to cut the bush down quite a bit. it was a decision i played with for a while. it was getting too big for the greenhouse and hogging a good part of a bench. i left two long branches with buds so i will get to see at a least a few blooms.


it will be ready for the outside come spring.

louis

Louis, did you at least stick a couple of the cuttings that you took from CL?

Charlie, that Fabulous photo is really pretty.  You should add that one to its web page.  I agree with Lynette when she says it is prettier then the other web photos.  Is that a typical bloom?

Here is another bloom that I took yesterday.  It is not a HVH cv, hope that doesn't bother you Charlie,  I actually don't know who's cv this is... Anyone know? Its called Tiger's Eye.  I crossed it with a Saffron that bloomed at the same time. 

Louis, how interesting about the seeds. I don't remember pollinating any flowers on those bushes, and most likely did not. I guess that part will remain a mystery. I know what you mean about the bushes of Creole lady hogging too much space. Not a good quality in the greenhouse but nice for the outdoor garden.

Charlie

Charlie, that pic of Fabulous is great.  Is that a very common look for her? 

Kristen, Tiger's Eye is so cool!  Looks a lot like Blackjack. 

I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to post the photos I've been taking.  Here are some from the past couple of weeks. 

Purple Magic, Burnt Saffron (from the front and side), Creole Lady, Voodoo Magic

More...   

Space Oddity, Blue Ballerina, and Hot Pepper and Sleeping Beauty both bloomed for me for the first time!  :)

Hi Kristen, Tigers Eye is an older variety that I grew for sale for a couple of years before discontinuing it because the bush is weak growing and can be problematic. I see that you staked up both branches of Tigers Eye which is not a surprise. The flowers are interesting with the yellow eye but also have a tendency to be poorly formed. I think the colors you see now are due to the colder weather and in summer the flower will be more a tannish brown and the eye yellow. Black Jack is the variety we now grow instead of Tigers Eye. It's a big improvement on Tigers Eye with a decent upright bush and super flower color most of the time.

I'm glad you brought up the forum policy on varieties. In the Guidelines we request that forum photos be of varieties that I have grown in the past or present. That includes thousands of varieties like Tigers Eye so it is not all that limiting. One of the main reasons for this is that we want this forum to be an accurate source of information. The web abounds with inaccurate, incomplete, or downright misleading information about hibiscus varieties and how to grow them. Not to mention the photos that are even worse than the descriptions in many cases.

Our goal is to provide balanced and accurate information about any varieties that are shown or discussed here. That's not all that easy to do for many reasons - one of which is that the experiences of one person growing one plant of a variety for a year or two can be better or worse than the norm for that variety. We want to hear everyone's opinion, and are grateful to those like you who will speak up, but it takes someone who grows dozens or even hundreds and sometimes thousands of a variety over several years to verify the performance and appearance of that variety.

In any case, as moderator I watch for accuracy and if I think a comment is needed to offer a balanced view
I will give it. Or post a photo that is more typical if that is needed. I can't do that if I haven't grown the variety and I'm just not willing to let the HVH forum become another vehicle for spreading misinformation. Believe me when I say there are plenty already out there. Caveat emptor.

As a practical matter, I let the occasional photo of a variety I have not grown remain if it seems to be a realistic photo but on a few other occasions I decided to remove a post or photo about a variety I have not grown. It's never personal, if it happens to you please know that I'm only following the policy we set up in the beginning in order to offer up accurate information about hibiscus varieties.

Charlie

Jordan, looks like bloom heaven at your house!

Charlie

Charlie, that's exactly what I mean...Creole Lady photographs better than it looks. A lot of times the bloom doesn't look like much but something happens during picture-taking which I can't put my finger on. Give it a try :)

Jordan, lots of pretty blooms :)

Your Voodoo Magic looks interesting, it's lighter than what I see here. The brown is more orangy and the red center is not as dark. Is it usually like this for you?

Uli I am also like you and don’t know what happens but it can work both ways, sometimes I will have a bloom that looks amazing and then when i take a picture it does not look so good. I am beginning to think that cv's are like people and some are more photogenic than others.

My Voodoo goes either way, actually.  It seems to be darker with booster and when its cooler out.  That photo was from a few weeks ago when temps were in the 90s.  It's since cooled a little and VM is getting darker.  It's bloomed for me with a dark, rich brown though in hot weather too. 

I still like Voodoo Magic's colors - it's one of the best if not the best of the brown flowers. I'm looking forward to enjoying the bush in the hybridizing area that has a dozen swelling buds on it that should start opening any day now.

Charlie

Yup, Voodoo Magic is very special :)

On this drizzly morning: Chariots of Fire, Bridal Path (not at it's best), Voodoo Magic and Russ Estey

Everyone's photos are looking so nice! 

C'est Bon - The blooms have been lasting 3 days.
(http://i52.tinypic.com/3451r2t.jpg)

Cindy's Heart - Showing much more pink with the cooler weather.
(http://i51.tinypic.com/1z2ziw5.jpg)

This is the spectacular Rockets Red Glare. there are over a dozen buds on the plant. she has been  lazy since early summer when she had the last bloom. i had to cut it back and it has taken 4 months to re-bloom. however she is back stronger than before.

the bloom folded back but i was able to flatten it and measured it at 10 inches in diameter. I love big blooms.

the red on this photo is accurate.

Louis

(http://www.lousviews.com/web/hib%2010-20-10/rocket.jpg)

Spectacular, both of these recent posts!

Charlie

Rockets red glare is much prettier than I thought!!I will have to get that one....just beautiful..lynette

Magnifique makes a rare appearance. That talking to I gave it must have done it a bit of good.

First Rosalind bloom
(http://i55.tinypic.com/mbkgwl.jpg)
First Black Dream
(http://i53.tinypic.com/2mgtd9w.jpg)
Saffron - looks like some thrip damage??
(http://i56.tinypic.com/sfuxif.jpg)

Great looking blooms!

It's getting to that time of year when flower colors take on a different look, sometimes you cannot even ID one. Makes judging seedling first blooms particularly difficult but if it seems good now it's worth keeping for a look in summer.

Yeah, Doll, the Saffron is showing typical thrips damage.

Charlie

hello doll,

will i get into trouble for calling you that :)

excellent photos of super blooms

i had roseland many years ago and it was much more of an orange. i like the color that yours displays.

speaking of black dream, i had my first bloom open today and will post a photo of it soon to see how close yours and mine are.

louis

Thanks Charlie. I'll pick up some spinosad tomorrow and start the treatment process.

Louis, my blooms rarely look like those from people living in cooler climates. It is still getting in the mid to upper eighties here. And Doll is fine or if you prefer John.

Hi, here is the first bloom from Black Dream.

Pretty flower, it will be interesting to see how long it will last.

louis


         (http://www.lousviews.com/web/hib-10-21/black%20dream.jpg)

Is it the cooler weather that makes black dream more orange???? I like it....lynette

hi lynette,

i just checked the greenhouse and its color has gone to a deep red. (its 9PM) it looks like it may stay open for another day tomorrow.

louis

I have to admit - the recent photos of Black Dream surprised me. Quite a shift toward orange giving it a nice rich color.

I'm way behind processing first flower seedling blooms but below are a few non-seedling photos from the past few days.

Painted Pony. I really like the way the spots look like paint splashed on the bloom. Saffron x Some Like It Hot

Rain Drop. Strong, vigorous plants, ethereal blooms.

Hibiscus storkii. This is my current favorite of the hibiscus species. Attractive flower and well branched, upright bush.

Charlie

hello charlie,

your new plants always give me "plant lust"

i envy you working in a mostly warm environment and be able to see seed to bloom in, what i consider a short time.

i really like painted pony

louis

I love painted pony,  who are the parents?

Painted Pony could almost have been predicted based on parents Saffron and Some Like It Hot. SLIH has some brilliant yellow markings but the painted spot look is unique to Painted Pony.

Charlie

Louis, I agree - it's a great setup that allows for growing seeds to first bloom in less than a year and I'm lucky to have it. I moved everything about 5 years ago and lost the fine tuned setup I had before. Its taken time and work to get things back to full speed ahead but now I have more space so I think it was worth it.

Charlie

Painted Pony is beautiful.

A lovely P's Purple
(http://i52.tinypic.com/qx2s1x.jpg)
(http://i51.tinypic.com/2wntdld.jpg)

Look at all that color in P's Purple! Fall brings some great blooms.

Charlie

Passion Play - My camera phone really struggled with this color.
I had to pick the flower and take the pic inside.
(http://i56.tinypic.com/5lqhqu.jpg)
Hot Pepper
(http://i52.tinypic.com/21jbu4o.jpg)

Lovely colour Doll, I had never seen or heard of Pasion Play so i looked in the Gallery and i see as its a child of High Voltage and its supposed to be very good for sun and heat,its one to think about for the future.

Yes, Passion Play has strong color! It comes from Gwen Mary, an Australian variety with similar color but smaller than Passion Play. High Voltage added a couple of inches to the flower size and a more upright bush.

Charlie

I must have looked at Dolls picture about 20 times and looking at it reminds me of the reason I love Hibiscus. I am going to sound a bit silly trying to explain but i will try.
 When i look at Passion Play in the gallery its just a nice coloured  bloom ,when i look at Dolls i see something that has been created through a lot off time and care. Some people love art,they look at a picture and they see and appreciate things I never will, but i look at that picture and i see the way the petals have a slight curl,i see the the waxy thicker bit down in the bowl of the bloom which i really like, the colour is unique, its not made its real.
Passion was an apt name,because its certainly mine.

Thanks for the nice comments.

High Voltage - showing just a little more pink
(http://i53.tinypic.com/scwgno.jpg)

I don't know if HV sets seeds easily or not,
but I tried to pollinate it with the old garden variety President.
(http://i56.tinypic.com/htzqj7.jpg)

Yes, indeed, High Voltage is an excellent seed setter. I used it a lot in previous years. You should get some seeds with that cross if the weather cooperates. Could also get a tough, good blooming variety out of the cross, too.

Charlie

Response to post below - yes First Love was one and Young At Heart another one. Both crossed President with Gwen Mary and both are way more vigorous than most other exotic hibiscus. I continue to make crosses with Young At Heart because it is the better bloomer of the two and I want to retain that vigor and ease of propagation in future hybrids.

I also have a cross of President with Renaissance Blue named Blue President. In that case the opposite occurred - I got an even better flower but an even worse bush than both parents. You never know when rolling the genetic dice!

That's great to hear. I remember you used President for one of your crosses but I can't remember which one it was. I have a seed pod on my Cile Tinney that I pollinated with P's Purple. The seed pod is just now starting to turn brown.

Edit:
Now I remember,it was First Love.

Dark Nebula

Awesome DM David, unlike any I have ever seen!

David, Dark Nebula is amazing!  I really want one now, actually.  Have to put that on the list. 

Great Dark Nebula, another one like Space Oddity that has very interesting flowers.  What is nice about Dark Nebula is how it is compact and a slower grower, for those who are space limited :)

I am still waiting to replace the one I lost :(

My first Pocahontas with a couple of City slickers behind.

I love dark nebula.....david what a nice photo....which hib is in the far back of the photo????..everyone..beautiful  photos ;D...here are a couple blooms from today....lynette

and a couple more :D

Thanks Lynette,its just the local garden variety Hibiscus,Charlie seem to like it and i certainly do,i treat it with the same care as i do the fancy Hibiscus and i get about 4 blooms every day of the year.

City Slicker is growing true to form in Vietnam - in other words, not such a great bush - but the flowers are quite nice. Pocahontas otoh is also growing true to form with its very nice bush and pretty flowers for the brown flower lovers around. I like it because it is not strictly brown but has those other pleasing colors to contrast or complement the brown. Nicely done in both cases, David.

Lynette, I love seeing Rebel Rouser cranking out the flowers for you. All in all you are doing a great job with the plants now. Fall is for blooms with hibiscus - I hope it lasts another month here in southern CA, seeing as how we almost missed summer altogether. Cooler weather changes the colors, take your Haute Couture for example, with its rich deep colors but no more of the yellow spots that summer heat brings out of it. That has to be one of my favorite flowers still.

Charlie

Charlie....I thought my hibs would start slowing down...but I have several of my plants loaded with new buds....do you know that "Georgias Thunder "that I got from you about 3 months ago has almost doubled in size....and it is growing like a tree shape....{for kristen who wants to make a hib tree}...no blooms right now but growing like crazy!..lynette...I will try to post a photo

Thanks for the tip Lynette!  I wanted to say that your photos today are spectacular!  I am loving your Haute Couture!  Also the white magic, never saw that one before, love it!  Thanks for sharing.

David, nice spread as well!

Today I have a most unusual bloom on Creole Lady. I cut this bush back severely because it was hogging the greenhouse. However I left one branch with several buds. This one opened today and is almost all yellow. Maybe Charlie can explain what happened to it.

Also there is a close  up of Rockets Red Glare and one of Rocket with a very pretty double, called Persimmon.

Louis

(http://www.lousviews.com/web/hib-10-27-10/creole%20lady.jpg)

(http://www.lousviews.com/web/hib-10-27-10/rocket%20and%20Persimmon.jpg)

(http://www.lousviews.com/web/hib-10-27-10/rocket.jpg)

Louis, that is definitely a strange looking CL. Has anything in its environment changed?

Hi, no nothing has changed for CL, just the pruning that I did.

louis

Wow Louis, that one with Persimmon looks a lot like a very pretty City Slicker.  Nice photos by the way!

Louis, your Rockets Red Glare is amazing!

BonTemps
(http://i55.tinypic.com/2w4wr54.jpg)
Black Dream
(http://i51.tinypic.com/15i9k7o.jpg)

My ATT DSL service has been mostly out the last 24 hours but they say it will be fixed by tonight. It's working now so I might as well take advantage of it.

I don't know about that yellow Creole Lady flower - usually with cooler temps you expect the kind of intense color that the Rockets Red Glare is showing. Saffron is a variety that reacts to lower light by turning more yellow than orange - maybe Creole Lady needs more light. Hibiscus are so reactive to so many things that some mysteries are never solved.

I wonder if this will post.

Charlie

The Spinosad seems to have sorted out Think Pink and a nice Cranberry Muffin today.

Those photos are a bit deceptive as to there size, CM is over 7 inches and TP is 5 inches.

nice david....I also have cranberry muffin....so pretty...here are a couple blooms from today ::)lynette

Beautiful blooms, Lynette. Coincidentally Cindy wore a Heavy Metal in her hair today when she went to the Halloween parties at the local elementary school where she teaches. Big hit even though it was not as pretty as the bloom in this photo.

Charlie

Charles is Think Pink a grafred plant,i think i might prune soon and try to grow a cutting.

Linnett your Cosmic Gold looks a bit different than others i have seen and very nice. Sorry to say but mine has had a fungus problem and was re-potted this morning, maybe i will be lucky.

Hi David,

Think Pink is rooted, not grafted. They require several prunings to develop into better branched plants. Great flower in our conditions.

Charlie

Wow I missed those spotted pony pics, Ive been wanting that one since that seedling newsletter way back in 2008 :P

Great Heavy Metal!!

Creole Lady
(http://i56.tinypic.com/2h4w6f6.jpg)
Black Dream - Much redder today
(http://i54.tinypic.com/qqbocg.jpg)

I've got quite a few of the 2 gallon Black Dream plants just starting to bloom after budding up nicely. They should make good holiday season blooming plants as should the 6 inch pots of Chariots of Fire, also budded up well. I've always wanted to develop a "Christmas Hibiscus" that could hold its own with all the red poinsettias out there. The biggest problem with that idea is delivery of the plants during the cold weather in December. To beat that, timing would have to be just right so that plants with lots of buds could be shipped a few weeks earlier and then would bloom during the holidays. Hibiscus don't need much light to bloom once the buds are set although too much darkness can cause bud drop. Mostly it's the warmth they want to stay happy indoors.

Charlie