Hidden Valley Hibiscus Forum

A nice way to start off the new month - Cindy's Heart
(http://i51.tinypic.com/263d21f.jpg)

Compassion just keeps on blooming
(http://i53.tinypic.com/125436u.jpg)

First Saffron Moon bloom - a Dupont hybrid
(http://i51.tinypic.com/6yo0nc.jpg)

I just luv cindys heart....here are a few from the last few days....lynette

and a few more....

Wow, its May already. Happy spring to all :)

Here are a few from today.

a very nice High Voltage, Over the Rainbow, June's Joy, Cosmic Gold, a very bright Bienvenue, and a Illuminatus. Yes thats correct. Illuminiati is latin and is plural, there is only one here :).

Louis

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-02-11/Illuminati.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-02-11/bienvenue.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-02-11/cosmic.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-02-11/high%20voltage.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-02-11/rainbow.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-02-11/june%20joy.jpg)

hello doll and mother,

great shots, my faves are  cindy's heart, a must have and allure.

thanks for showing them all.

louis

Yummy pictures everyone! :o

First bloom for Porcelain Doll (who was peach colored when she opened this morning), Maui Masterpiece (getting bigger & brighter), and a second day Pocahontas (who's trying out some new tricks).

Deb  ;D

Yash....I also have porceline doll and maui masterpiece...but porceline doll is one of my favorites...lynette...louis for some reason I could not view your pics ???

Pretty photos, everyone. Lynette, I was glad to see the first photo of Wild Allure posted to the forum. It looks to be a very floriferous plant with lots of branches.

Louis, you get really good color in your photos. What kind of camera do you use? Any special tips or tricks you would be willing to pass on?

Charlie

hello charlie,

the secret to good and accurate color is white balance. before i take any photos of the blooms, i set the camera to custom white balance. i take a photo of a piece of white cardboard that is a reference card. when i process the photos in photoshop, i select the white of the card and all colors in the photo know what white is and then adjust themselves accordingly. the camera that i am using is a canon G-10. nice little camera. the detail on this camera is wonderful.

thanks for asking,

louis

Wow great blooms already!  I guess the May flowers are in full charge :)

Porcelain Doll - Second day bloom even better than the first (beautiful patina and form)...
I can see why she's your favorite motherof4 (I love her, too!)

Heart of My Heart - Showing her true colors (blood red with dark shading).

Yashodhara, love the heart of my heart. what size bloom is it?

louis

Hi Louis,

5.5" - It's a very textured (fluffy) bloom with a velvety feel.

Deb, your "lady parts" are really cool on that Pocahontas!  What a neat look.

Louis, I love June's Joy. I wish Charlie offered that one.

First Red Flag bloom - This bloom was a much darker red than the pic on the description page. But that was probably due to the cool temps we have been having this week. Should hold its red color well in the heat.
(http://i55.tinypic.com/ou15ow.jpg)
Voodoo Magic
(http://i55.tinypic.com/s3ip8m.jpg)

A couple more from today

First Key Lime Pie bloom
(http://i53.tinypic.com/2zid0sh.jpg)
Pina Colada
(http://i51.tinypic.com/mwcz76.jpg)

Just beautiful blooms everyone!!!  I look forward to checking out the forum pics each day and it doesn't disappoint.

Today's blooms...

Daisy Mae
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DaisyMae5-4.jpg)

Yard patrol
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DaisyMae5-42.jpg)

Black Dream
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/BlackDream5-4.jpg)

Erin Rachel
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ErinRachel5-4.jpg)
Farmer D

great photos everyone.

darren, i love daisy mae. what size is the bloom

louis

That Erin Rachel is neon!  Love it. 

so many beautiful blooms....here is a couple from today....lynette

Lynette, how big is that WA bloom?  Great photos everyone!

That one is a 7 incher.  The colors on DM are really really strong.  The yellow is the best yellow I've ever seen on any hibiscus ever and coupled with that very deep red eye with the pretty white rays - WOW! 

I'm surprised this one doesn't sell out faster...

Wild Allure is a beautiful flower. Looks to be about the same size as Wild Grape. I have to add that to my wish list. ;D

High Voltage - This was the biggest HV bloom I have ever had.
(http://i51.tinypic.com/binztk.jpg)
2nd day Pina Colada
(http://i55.tinypic.com/2ntkc9g.jpg)

Kristen....the 1st  pic I posted was only around 3 inches..but the second one was around 5 inches....I dont remember what the size was suppose to be....and darren I have daisy mae also ..thanks to your pics that you posted....lynette

Lynette that makes my day to know you liked the picture of Daisy Mae enough to buy one.  I hope you are as happy with it as I am.

I have a really sunny showcase spot for it right below the corner of my front porch which should be planted next week.  With it's awesome parentage I want to see this cv grow 6 ft tall and have a boatload of blooms 24/7.

Today's special is Deep Waters...in the morning shade & after the afternoon sun.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DeepWaters5-52.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DeepWaters5-5.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DeepWaters5-53.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DeepWaters5-54.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DeepWaters5-55.jpg)
Farmer D 

darren I also have deep waters...i have only had 1 bloom so far but more to come...I just got it last week...and yes daisy mae was striking...plus I have noooo willpower....lynette

darren,

deeeeeeeeeeppppp waters is stunning.

louis

Wild Allure takes after its parents, Allure and Born To Be Wild, in size being a mini most of the time. A "mini" is traditionally considered for hibiscus to be any bloom that will fit through a 5" wide ring without touching the ring. In other words, less than 5 inches in diameter. Erin Rachel, photo also on this page, is another traditional mini flower. I've been working on getting Erin Rachel's colors in a larger flower and getting closer with some of the new blooms.

Junes Joy was mentioned - it is one of the Australian cvs I imported some years back. Pretty flower but I had trouble with the bushes when grown in 6 inch pots so stopped offering it. They tended to be too vigorous and started flopping before I could get them shipped. Pretty flower, for sure.

Charlie

Cindy's Heart - Loves being in full sun
(http://i51.tinypic.com/adjihc.jpg)
Daisy Mae
(http://i54.tinypic.com/20f58g2.jpg)

Here is a couple from today...so exciting..everyday I go outside..another bloom ;D..lynette

Happy Friday to all!

Got a couple of first time blooms today.

Picante
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Picante5-6.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Picante5-62.jpg)

Acapulco Gold - 1st time this yr.  Bud fell off when cleaning plant so I manually opened it.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/AcapulcoGold5-62.jpg)

Chariots of Fire
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFire5-6.jpg)

Deep Waters
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DeepWaters5-6.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DeepWatersTwins5-6.jpg)
Farmer D

wow picante is so pretty

So lovely, love that Porcelain Doll. I go out every day and find my buds have all fallen of, 105F night time temperatures at the moment and dread to think what it is under the mid day sun, High Voltage and Acapulco Gold are getting that much water I have them booked in for swimming lesssons at the weekend.

wow David...yours are usually doing so well..when alot of ours aren't doing much...oh well  ???...here are a couple more from today..lynette










  

oops I dont know what happened with my post :o ??? :-[....sorry

I thought I'd share a few more shots of Picante.  It just kept getting prettier as the day went on.  Again I am really impressed with another of the new cvs from this year.  Great job Charlie!!
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Picante5-64.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Picante5-66.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Picante5-68.jpg)
Farmer D

Thanks, Farmer D, for showing the new Picante (Saffron x Heartbreak Hotel). I think you will see brighter, more intense colors as we move into summer. Word to the wise - those scratch marks on the face of the Acapulco Gold are classic for thrips damage, and since the flower fell off the bush so easily it's likely that thrips are getting a toe hold among the hibiscus. If you see more thrips marks or falling buds it would be a good idea to get out the spinosad.

Charlie

Below are some recent photos of some of my favorite blooms.

Burnt Saffron - a picture perfect bloom of this striking variety from one of the 1 gallon pots

Bon Vivant - these 1 gallon pots have been blooming prolifically all spring (Bon Temps offspring)

Magic Crystal - I love this 6 inch flower, need more stock though

Ice Storm - great flower, nice dark example today. Some grafted ones will be available soon.

Song Sung Blue showing how well it blooms.

Charlie

Really like Bon Vivant ;D

2nd day Daisy Mae
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2qv4121.jpg)
Cindy's Heart twins - one on the right is a 2nd day bloom
(http://i51.tinypic.com/2ujpmdc.jpg)
Passion Play
(http://i56.tinypic.com/210yvsg.jpg)

Cindy's Heart at the end of the day.
(http://i52.tinypic.com/m8crnk.jpg)

Great shots, Doll. That's probably the best Passion Play photo I have seen, and the Cindy's Heart photos capture its intensity, too.

Charlie

Lynette, I just spotted your Porcelain Doll photos - very nice and good to see that one back on display. Its another of the subtle flowers that many people like but that don't get enough attention.

Below are 3 photos of current blooms that we don't see a lot of yet but hopefully will in the future.

Hot Southern Nights - nice bright 8 inch flower on an attractive bush

Spice of Life - very energetic bloom

Bright Horizons - blooms are very consistent, pretty and with lots of impact for their modest size of 5-7 inches

I hope Hot Southern Nights becomes available in the 1 gallon size.

Creole Belle
(http://i54.tinypic.com/28vsz7t.jpg)
White Wings triplets - WW is an excellent choice for use in the landscape in warm climates.
(http://i53.tinypic.com/abjfkg.jpg)

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture1-5.png)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture3-1.png)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture6-3.png)
Here are my flowers for today , Charlie said true blue is a hard color to get on flowers just wanted to show an orchid I have , I really like this one !

Ahh, wouldn't we like to get that shade of blue in a hibiscus flower! Not likely to happen until they start doing gene insertions. Beautiful orchid, thanks for showing.

Charlie

wow...I've never seen an orchid that color...so pretty!....here are some blooms from today...lynette

a couple more....

sorry...it posted a couple twice ???

a couple more from a couple of days ago...and pinot noir is still opened ...third day

Gotta love those Pinot Noir, Lynette! Thanks for showing.

Lately some of the newer varieties have been blooming before getting shipped out so I was able to take some new photos of them.

Queen Of Sheba - very rich colors only partly captured in the photo, about 7 inches

Ice Fairy - soft blue flowers on a surprisingly big and vigorous bush

Green Earth - one of the Fascinating Foliage varieties, looking greenish on a very nice bush

Sea Spray - great medium sized flower, can't wait to get more of this one

Venetian Pepper - offspring of Venetian Brick and every bit as colorful on a much better bush. This one may soon become a tried and true HVH variety.

Charlie

One more than wouldn't fit in the previous message -

African Princess - a Fascinating Foliage variety with an exotic flower to match the big tri-lobed leaves.

Charlie

Charlie...I luv green earth and african princess!!!....And pinot noir is still opened....4th day

Hi,  a few from today. getting very hot in the greenhouse but too cold to put plants outside yet. I can keep the temp cooler by using 60 % shade cloth. the plants get enough of the sun through the cloth and are happy.

Here is an unusual high voltage with the shadow of the cloth and its green tint.

Twin Over the Rainbows, an intense molten lava and the old standby cosmic gold. gold has the perfect bush. not too big and not too small. this plant does not bolt and is very well behaved.

Louis

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-10-11/voltage.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-10-11/gold.jpg)


(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-10-11/lava.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-10-11/rainbow.jpg)

Over the Rainbow looks awesome.

Cindy's Heart - CH has been my most prolific bloomer so far this spring, even surpassing High Voltage.
(http://i51.tinypic.com/726s9j.jpg)
Simple Pleasures
(http://i56.tinypic.com/30kyivm.jpg)

I just went outside to get my mail and someone stole my Cindy's Heart bloom.  >:( >:(
Probably one of the kids walking home from school. How maddening!

Jeez - have to install a security camera, or get a mean dog! It was a super pretty bloom you posted!

More plants coming your way this Friday. I just remembered the 2 gallon empty pots. Have to write you privately about that. Sorry, John.

Charlie

Thank god it was only the BLOOM!!!  Great photos everyone.  I have been dancing around with mine for a week and a half.  Been getting nice days in the 60's with lots of sun.  So I started the "go out to play while the sun is out" game... what a PITA!  Well, I now have some sunburned leaves, but that is not the issue.  I now have some yellowing leaves on many of my plants... No bugs I don't think.  Could it be stress?

A little twilight fun...

Black Dream
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/BlackDream5-11.jpg)

Chariots of Fire
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFire5-11.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFire5-112.jpg)

This ought to be interesting when it blooms....
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFirebuds5-11.jpg)
Farmer D

Darren, what is that last photo of?  It is gonna blow up!

Charlie, I figured you were busy with all the spring shipping. So no problem. Just email when you have time.

Cindy's Heart - This is from my other CH bush. I have this one planted in part sun and have noticed the colors are not as intense. Also, it looks to have a little bit of thrip damage. I haven't had as much success with spinosad as I would like. I couldn't find Orthonex so I have tested Bayer vegetable and garden spray on the plants I have in the full sun. It seems to be working much better than the spinosad, but seems to cause some of the older leaves to turn yellow.

(http://i52.tinypic.com/33ab1j9.jpg)

Darren, I can't wait to see what those orange buds turn out to be.

Thrips can be persistent largely because the next generation is already in the ground around the plants and the spray won't touch them. Spinosad should be sprayed twice a week for 3 weeks in tough cases. You can also increase the dose rate by 1/4 or so if the normal dose is not working. The most important thing is to keep using it until the problem clears up. Or, if resistance is expected because it has been used a lot then find something with acephate in it or use the restricted miticide Avid which is also good against mites.

Charlie

Charlie, I was only spraying once a week. I'll try twice a week and see if I can finally get rid of them. I don't know how to increase the dose since the spinosad comes in a bottle you connect to your hose. I guess I could open the bottle and mix it myself. How much per gallon would I need to use?  Thanks

Doll recently you have been showing the cv Passion Play, is this the same as Passion you showed a few months ago or are they 2 different cv's.

I've got a little bit of everybody coming out to play today... Oh, boy!  :D

The Ancestors:

and The Exotics (lots of Heart, well... just because ;D):

They are the same.

Nice display, Deb! Getting 6 inch flowers on Heart of My Heart is excellent, too.

Doll, don't worry about upping the dose of spinosad. Increasing the frequency is far more important for breaking the life cycle of thrips. OTOH, it's not always possible or even desirable to try to totally eliminate insects like thrips. As long as they are only marking up the occasional bloom and not causing bud drop it may not be worth the time and expense to spray more often.

Charlie

Charlie, thanks for all the advice. I think by only spraying once a week I was always one step behind them.

Simple Pleasures
(http://i52.tinypic.com/30voexg.jpg)

Ahh, my all time favorite, Simple Pleasures! Nice to see it blooming in Houston.

Well, it's Friday - the day of the week that all the plants packed and shipped earlier this week are due to arrive across the land. I sure hope the storms and floods and so on have not delayed any shipments. Doll, you should have received a bunch today. Sorry to Kristen and Lou and Chris - more coming to the northeast and northwest soon.

Here's a pretty group of Confection Perfection plants.

Charlie

I luv that one charlie....I have her and she has nice some nice buds forming....Hopefully next month she will bloom ;D

I love Confection Perfection!!!  Thank you for sharing those Charlie.

Doll that is a lovely Simple Pleasures.  My SP is about 9 months old and maybe 3" tall with buds and branches trying to grow out everywhere.  It is most bizarre - I'll post a pic as it is a most unique youngster.

Black Dream getting blacker??  Just amazing darkness to these blooms.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/BlackDream5-13.jpg)

Deep Waters - every bloom is so pretty
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DeepWaters5-132.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DeepWaters5-13.jpg)

I lost count of how many buds/blooms Chariots of Fire now has. 
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFirePlant5-132.jpg)
I don't know if it is this one particular plant or all COF are like this.  If they are I can't believe there are any left for sale.  Blooms are so pretty and unique and this plant needs practically no attention.  It is a monster.
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFirePlant5-13.jpg)
Can you imagine what this cv is going to look like in a few more months when it really gets going...
Farmer D

Charlie, I got my shipment yesterday. Everything looks fantastic.

First Cinnamon Splendor bloom - beautiful and 8 inches
(http://i56.tinypic.com/2jyvwn.jpg)

Another gorgeous Cindy's Heart - Actually have 3 today but this one was the first to open completely.
(http://i56.tinypic.com/2r4sz6u.jpg)

hi everyone,

just wanted to show you how nicely my Illuminati plant is doing after a major pruning. this is the plant that i had tried to air layer and it failed. so i cut off 2 feet and now its coming along nicely. i will have to keep it pinched to keep it from the "jack in the beanstalk" syndrome.

btw, the bloom is 8 inches
Louis

nice plants and photos everyone. darren, that is one wild plant. looking forward to seeing them all open.

john,

your cinn splendor is stunning.

louis

Beautiful blooms everybody... Just gorgeous! :D

Here's my offering for today - the very technicolor Erin Rachel:

Everyone has such beautiful blooms today.

Here are my CH triplets.
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2eykvvl.jpg)

Doll, awesome CH!  Mine has 4 blooms open on her today.  Happy girl.  Charlie, Its ok.  We understand.  That Confection Perfection is AWESOME!!! Lou, beautiful!  All I have to say.  And Darren, Um..... I may come out there and steal that COF bush.  I never thought anything of it until you blew it up on this forum.  Charlie, Is that normal for that cv?  If so, Is there others that preform that way as well.  I am thinking of getting my mother a really easy one, that is big and beautiful to replace her garden variety.  So let me know.

Are you ready for this.............

11 blooms in one day - only Chariots of Fire can!
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFireProfusion5-14.jpg)

I've been spraying all plants with SuperNova for 3 weeks now and I've never seen any of my hibiscus do this...6 blooms in a row
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFireProfusion5-142.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFireProfusion5-143.jpg)

Black Dream being eaten?
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/BlackDream5-14.jpg)

Scarlet Beauty surviving thrips
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ScarletBeauty5-14.jpg)

Flickering Flame just opened
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/FlickeringFlame5-14.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/FlickeringFlameFriends5-14.jpg)

Farmer D

Darren, it's like your COF is on steroids. Just amazing!

Wow, is that a typical look for Cinnamon Splendor?  It's so... green!  Cool!

Louis, Illuminati looks great!

Nice job with the Illuminati, Louis. Looks like there are a lot more stems there now. You're growing some big leaves to match the big blooms on that one!

John D, that is the first Cinnamon Splendor I've seen outside of the HVH greenhouse. I'm glad it is opening large in your Houston climate. Unique colors for sure!

Darren, your Chariots of Fire bush is outstanding. Since people have asked, the background on COF is this - when I grew 6 inch pots of it they did not branch much before they budded up and were shipped out. 3 branches were average. I like a plant with more stems so it flowers more so the year Darren bought his I pinched the COF plants in 4 inch pots multiple times to get them to branch more. It is easier to force branching when a hibiscus is young and the COF plants did respond to multiple pinches by making more branches than usual.

Darren then took one of these well branched 4 inch plants and grew it like a pro, giving it all the TLC it needed to become the monster plant that we see in the photos. It probably helped for it to be in the ground where the roots can grow as large as the plant is capable of and are not restricted by a pot. In this case I think we can say that the COF reached its full genetic capability - the first time I have seen this with a COF. Great job, Farmer D!

BTW, for the last 2 years I have been doing this with all 4 inch size varieties, putting particular emphasis on pinching those varieties that do not naturally branch a lot but have good vigor - such as Sparkling Water, Lilac Wine, Cranberry Muffin, and of course Chariots of Fire. Hopefully we will see the results of that with some great photos down the road.   

I've shown this before, but for the new members below is a Saffron plant that I would say has reached its full genetic potential. It was in our backyard garden in Fallbrook, planted in the ground in full sun. When we moved I couldn't stand to leave this one behind so dug it up and put it in a big pot and so far it has survived the change in circumstances. 

Charlie                 

That makes me want to plant a Cindy's Heart in the ground to see its full potential. ;D

First Love
(http://i51.tinypic.com/tafwiv.jpg)

2nd day Cinnamon Splendor
(http://i54.tinypic.com/12336ut.jpg)
2nd day Cindy's Heart - Just when I said CH never last more than a day for me, now they have been lasting 2 days.
(http://i54.tinypic.com/x3bbxs.jpg)

Great info Charlie.  Interesting to know that the multiple pinchings seems to really have changed the course for COF among others.  It's still hard to believe that this started as a 4" plant just last April.

For the record, my goal has been to get the same results as the pics on the World Gardens page from Australia.  It is one of the few in ground pics that show what can happen over several years.  So far I'm 3 for 70 something....

Acapulco Gold
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01525.jpg)

Black Dream 3rd day just getting blacker
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01520.jpg)

Flickering Flame Twins & Friends
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01517.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01516.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01515.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01514.jpg)

Sea of Tranquility
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01513.jpg)
Farmer D

Amazing as usual Darren, really wish I had a yard to get them this big!

Cosmic Gold bloomed as a bright orange mini

Whoa! Loving your "Cosmic Orange," Chris! I hope conditions here in MI are similar enough to yours in WA to get "Cosmic Gold" to bloom like that on occassion... :D

That Cosmic Gold is really cool.

First Bon Vivant bloom
(http://i55.tinypic.com/zkfjo6.jpg)
Cindy's Heart just keeps blooming
(http://i53.tinypic.com/i6jc6a.jpg)

Doll, are you using the Supernova spray method that we all have been discussing?  I have too and my Cindy's Heart has been blowing up lately.  That Bon Vivant is real beautiful. 

Kristen, I used Supernova on it when I first moved it back outside in March. When It started leafing out all over the place I quit using it. It is a very full bush now. That Supernova really works!

Word must have gotten around that I was lusting for "orange" today... When I got home, I found a very peachy Pocahontas and a tasty orange El Capitolio bloom waiting to greet me (must have been that heat wave we had last week).  8)

I also had a Pocahontas today, its temporarily growing in the shade as is Samba Dancer,  its just to hot here at the moment so I moved them thinking it might be less stressful for a while and never expected them to continue blooming.  The heat and sun does not bother Pinapple Sunday though, difficult to describe just how hot it is in the position its in but its scorching hot, its the same with Dark of Night and that will bloom well tomorrow.

I had a reddish Black Dragon today.  And my first El Capitolio.  It is on a 4" stick...  Real pretty though!

A few artsy fartsy Gabriel.  Getting some beauties from her, makes me take out my macro lens.  Thought I would share with you.  I cant get over the colors this plant puts out!

My Cindy's Heart today with 4 girls on her.  I threw in some shots of her bald skinny waist we were talking about a few weeks ago and all the nodes growing into a million little branches.  I did a funny Photoshop count photo of them all just to see how many there are, did it a few weeks ago and I don't remember if I ever shared it with you... well, here it is.  The first 4 photos are from today though.

Kristen, that Cindy's Heart looks really nice. I hope you get those new stems to grow and fill out the plant. Twould end up spectacular!

Charlie

David, I really appreciate your reports from Vietnam. Seeing Samba Dancer bloom in the heat is very encouraging. Doubles are so often troublesome but we may have found one that is much less so thanks to your experiences.

Charlie

Here's a pretty new one - True Love. Just added 4 inch pots to the online store.

Charlie

Debi I love your pics.  You can't go wrong with such pretty orange colors.  I like your geographic profile location too.

David that is an amazing Pocahontas.  The colors you get on it set it apart from others.  It is the most cheerful and bright one I've seen.

Kristen your pics of Gabriel are stunning.  Thank you for the close ups of those colors.  And of course Cindy's Heart...classic beauty.  Plant is looking good.

Today's offerings....

Flickering Flame Day 3
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01527.jpg)

Flickering Flame & Chariots of Fire finishing off day 4 for all those blooms
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01528.jpg)

Daisy Mae
(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01531.jpg)

(http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01530.jpg)

Sorry no more pics for a couple of weeks on vac.  Plants are in good hands though with one of our forum favorites taking care of them while I'm away.

Who knows maybe she'll even sneak in a pic...Mahalo!

Farmer D

Charlie..true love is very pretty...kristen luv gabriel.....still waiting for some blooms from mine..and I luv pocahontas....I also have her ..but she is still recovering from winter...hopefully some buds soon..and darren have fun in hawaii....I assume that is where you are going...and also my favorite place to visit...here are some of my blooms from the last few days..lynette

and the rest....

Wow, Lynette, you've got flowers poppin' all over the place. Blues In the Night looks really good and nice to see somewhere other than here.

Charlie

Hibiscus Party :D
(You'd never know the sun hasn't shone here in MI for almost a week)

Wow Lynette - Your garden looks like a Monet masterpiece (beautiful watercolor hues!)

yash...I love heart of my heart....and luv your hibiscus party! :D

Lynette - I think it's a BYOB party (Bring Your Own Booster) - LOL!  I wish it did me for me what it does for them... :D

Thanks Charlie, its incredibly hot here at the moment so a good test for my new cv's. I can already tell which will handle sun better than others by the leaves and I can usually tell in a few short weeks. And I know now that Sherlock's Mystery is going to be a real sun lover, all my cv's spend a few days resting after there travels and are slowly introduced to the sun, some get moved back in the shade after 30 minutes some 1 hour etc as they slowly adapt, not Sherlock ,8 hours a day full sun and its already starting to bud up,it came as a 4 inch 1 month ago and if it carries on performing like this it will overtake Hot Pepper as the number 1 sun lover.

Darren, finding a knowledgeable plant sitter is as rare as it is wonderful! I hope you have a great time and return to warmer weather and the many blooms that are coming.

Charlie

Great blooms everyone!  Yash, I think we are getting all that week long rain you had!  It has been rainy and nasty since Saturday, and it is supposed to go until this Saturday!  UGH!!  Unfortunately, I had worked so hard hauling my plants in and out for 2 weeks getting them used to the sun and they were doing so good, now I have to start all over when the sun finally comes back! >:-/

Dark of Night twins, its the end of the day now and been in the sun all day, still not to bad and hopefully they will stay for tomorrow.

Just love your rooftop garden, David! This photo had me thinking of a gigantic chess set and your pots and supports the oversized chess pieces. Even the squares are there for moving about.  :)

Kristen, hang in there! Summer can't be too far away, can it?

Charlie

Here are 4 flowers blooming in the greenhouse yesterday. 2 are the new reds - both big flowers with subtle differences.

Red Cape - with a hint of yellow markings that might come out in hotter weather
Scarlet Beauty - an all red flower (no eye) that just glows in the greenhouse
Simple Pleasures - huge flower yesterday, good color, too
Magic Moments - these giant double flowers looking very nice on a rainy day.

Charlie

Wow Great blooms everyone!  I am sorry to hear that is rainy and cold still in CT,  I think someone nudged spring into coming in WA, great weather up here high 60s, low 70s with sun predicted for the rest of the week!  This better coax my CVs to bud up...

Darren - Mahalo nui loa... Have a safe trip and an awesome vacation!  8)

The sun finally came out this evening (Yea!)... Virtually sending some your way, Kristen!  :D

To celebrate, my baby Black Dragon opened her first bloom (a 7 inch one)...
'Booster shots for everyone!  :P

Deb

Yash, your place looks like quite the jungle!  Are those big ones your H. arnottianus?

Yes... In the 8" and 10" pots: There's Baby Arnotti on the far left (46" soil to tip), H. Storckii next (51"), Big Arnottianus (57"), Belle du Jour on the near right (44"), and Liliiflorus on the far right (27"). Big Arnotti is full of seed pods at the moment, Lilii is resting (new pot), and the rest have decided they would rather expend their energy becoming trees than producing blooms... I'm hoping that will change once they start soaking up that western-exposure sunlight. 8)

Amazing!!!  Once that western light comes they should hopefully bud, I am in the same situation, come on and bud already, the weather is nice now!

What type of growlights have you been using?  Seems like several CVs are liking that artificial lighting, which seem to bloom and grow the best for you under these lights?  I am trying to "cull" my collection down to CVs that bloom well under lights and low light conditions, since those are the conditions I have up here in WA! 

If you are looking for good growers under lights I can endorse:
Raindrop
Heaven Scent
Sea of Tranquility
Cosmic Gold
 

It's great to see how well people are doing with the low light, in the house way of growing hibiscus. Deb, your plants are HUGE and obviously happy. Seedpods on the Arnottianus. Is that the especially fragrant one that we have at HVH? I've never been able to get fragrance using it in hybridizing but have to admit I have not tried nearly enough since this is a very worthwhile goal.

So Chris, do you expect to remain in WA for at least another year?

Charlie

Hey Charlie,

I guess I have no idea where I will be in a year.  Quite the tumultuous job market these days, but I will be in WA for the summer at the very least...

Really good conditions up here to get CVs to set seed, I have one growing on CDLC atm :)

That will be a first, getting a seedpod with ripe seeds on Creme de la Creme. I hope it works because the pollen from CDLC has given us several worthy varieties. There will be more plants of CDLC available before the summer is out - something I have been tardy about for too long.

Good luck with the job search!

Charlie

Thanks Charlie!

Here is that CDLC x Raindrop pod, looks good to me!  What is also interesting is I used my stored pollen to pollinate this bloom, so if this pod takes it will be a first on two levels.

If all goes well, we will probably get some Rainbow Christie eyes in the offspring, I am hoping that we get raindrops awesome bush. Seems like the F2 of garden x exotic varieties like Raindrop, you get the big blooms with nicer bushes, CDLC could really use some of RD's vigor.  :) 

Yashodhara, your flowers very beautiful! Congratulations! (http://s4.rimg.info/3dac96de6803d637fcc72bc4d0603195.gif) (http://smajliki.ru/smilie-473366055.html)

davidwood , Your terrace mine dream! (http://s2.rimg.info/db2604d4c445e97647766aed790c4993.gif) (http://smajliki.ru/smilie-138922407.html)

Debi your blooms are awesome.   Black Dragon is just gorgeous.

Farmer D

Hi Chris!

For Lighting: I'm using 23W (1,600 lumens) compact fluorescent bulbs in a combination of 6500K for growth and 2700K for bloom.  The bulbs are screw in, just like regular fluorescent light bulbs, and I use them in standard 8" metal clamp lamps that are polished inside to reflect more light. It isn't pretty, but it's not too expensive ($35.00 for 6 bulbs, $8.00 each for clamp lamp), the bulbs last for years (8,000 to 10,000 hours), and are very easy on the electric bill. Most importantly: the plants respond well to the light produced (opposite ends of the spectrum - blue & red), the bulbs don't create much if any heat, and I get to enjoy happy tropical hibiscus paradise in my cold, snowy, rainy, cloudy northeastern U.S. climate.  :P

Best growers & bloomers: In general, species hibiscus will do both amazingly fast and well with any decent amount of light. My best growers of that bunch are H. Arnottianus & H. Storckii.  My best "ancestor" bloomers are H. Liliiflorus (any light at all will do!), H. Arnottianus, Orange Kokio and Orange El Capitolio. For the exotics - Well, so far all of them (except Belle du Jour, who grew too fast to hang out on the light table with her kindred, so that answers who's the fastest exotic grower!) have been blooming their branches off under the lights: Porcelain Doll, Pocahontas, Heart of My Heart are all blooming and have tons of buds right now... Maui Masterpiece brings up the rear, but she's had seed pods since she started blooming, and still blooms, so that's not bad at all! Once I got the spider mite situation under control (2 months on Kontos), the exotics went to town (and they're still out partying).

Oh, and I don't underestimate the importance of good nutrition - My plants are fed and fed well: HVH House Plant, Sea Kelp Potassium, Magnesium, Iron and Growth Enhancer (Super Nova)... I think that's why they're able to do well indoors.

And since this is technically "Blooms of the Day", here's Cosmic Dancer and El Capitolio Orange... ;D

Thank-you, SvitLana... I saw the blooms that you posted last month - very beautiful!  I also have hibiscus 'Hilo Island,' but mine is still young (not blooming yet).  I hope that you will post some more of your hibiscus pictures soon - It's always fun to see what people all over the world are growing in their hibiscus gardens!  Thank you for sharing yours.  :D

Hi Deb,

Thanks alot for the info!  I will need to try this out next winter! :)

Hi Charlie!

While I learned all about H. Arnottianus here on the HVH website many years ago, by the time I had what I needed to support such a potentially large hibiscus, you were no longer offering it  :'(  (The two I have came from Hawaii).

This variety does have fragrance, but it's not Waimeae. Sometimes I think I occasionally become desensitized to the scent (because I actually live with mine?): There have been times when my neighbor has remarked on the fragrance from the doorway (and across the room), when I can't smell it at all.

Arnotti is quite the seed setter (she seems to "like" every CV I've crossed her with, as well as herself), so I would be happy to send you all the H. Arnottianus-crossed  seeds you'd like to grow.  :D

Here are a few pictures (I'll post more info/photos in the "Hibiscus Cultivar Discussions" topic).

Sunrise Dance - Much better than the first bloom
(http://i52.tinypic.com/2czzdc5.jpg)

Cindy's Heart
(http://i51.tinypic.com/znq0li.jpg)

Hi All,

its great to see so many great blooms after a terrible winter. i to give a blanket WOW to all on your plants and photos.

here is my first bloom of Electric Red. absolutely outstanding plant and flower. Charlie, what do you use for fertilizer in the greenhouses. I have never seen such healthy plants. I just received 6 plants the other day and there was no even a wrinkled leaf. KUDOS to you and cindy and your staff.

I am looking forward to more of my new blooms.

louis

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/electric%20red/electric%20red.jpg)

Louis - LOVE your Electric Red!

Darren - That's an amazing Tahitian Bronze Radiance... Perhaps she's a little piqued that you left her at home? Thank you very much for the virtual vacation (I really needed that!)  ;D

Some more tropical color from my Michigan garden... It's a slice of heaven today: Mostly sunny and 79º - the 'biscus and I are are soaking up the sun and enjoying the breeze.  8)

Great blooms everyone!  I cant wait till summer, hopefully when I get my 1 gallons, I will have some blooms to share soon :)

Those colours on the Mauri Masterpiece are amazingly strong, I would think sunny and about 80 must be about perfect for Hibiscus.

Hi David! Perfect for hibiscus and humans... No complaints about the weather today!  ;D

As for Maui: Neither she, nor any of my other blooming HVH exotics, have ever been outside in the actual sun (except for a quick photo in the evening) - All that color from Maui is from artificial light and good nutrition.  ;)

(http://i056.radikal.ru/1105/e8/00d572c168f8.jpg) (http://www.radikal.ru)
(http://i064.radikal.ru/1105/e0/ab9e6b2fff05.jpg) (http://www.radikal.ru)

Deb, I'd be delighted to grow some H arnottianus seeds. The H arnottianus 'Waimaea" that I grow is much more fragrant than other H arnottianus but it does not root well and is very touchy about setting seed. There's always a chance that we could get something more fragrant than either parent with H arnottianus seeds and well worth trying. Another very fragrant hibiscus that I used to cross with H arnottianus was called Pink Poodle, and Australian variety that is very rare or may even be extinct now. I only got a few seeds and nothing fragrant came from that cross though.

Fantastic Maui Masterpiece, btw.

Charlie

Hi Lou, I was wondering what is happening with you. Are your plants in the greenhouse still? Do they go outdoors all the time during summer? That Electric Red looks great. I really like the fancy form of the flower with the upturned tufts and fully overlapped form. Great bush, too.

You asked about fertilizer in the greenhouse. We use HVH special blend in low amounts with every watering. The fertilizer is mixed into the irrigation water by an injector set so that the plants receive 200 ppm nitrogen all the time. Then, from time to time I throw in some potassium nitrate (HVH Booster) and the plants get some Growth Enhancer (Supernova) by foliar feed when I remember to mix it into the weekly pesticide spray.

Charlie

Svetlana, very nice to see your Pink Bouquet. I used to have that Australian variety but lost my only plant of it a few years ago. A most unusual double flowered variety.

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

My plants are still in the greenhouse. I will put most of them out within the next 2 weeks.

Sorry I have been absent. I have been very busy on photo jobs.  I have been meaning to ask, how did you make out with the seeds I sent to you, did you plant them?

Thanks for the info on the fertilizer, I just ran out of the house blend, must order more, it works just great.

Louis

Charlie, very sorry, (http://s19.rimg.info/58784869ff8ad94c9b7a78c1b02549f7.gif) (http://smajliki.ru/smilie-1225332039.html) it's abundantly blooming variety and not naughty (http://s16.rimg.info/124940b250cc2f2daa7734ab9c759fec.gif) (http://smajliki.ru/smilie-942314535.html)

Maui Masterpiece looks so nice I think I may have to get this one.

I luv Electric Red!....very nice blooms everyone...here is a few from today...lynette

and my first maui of the season..took 4 days to completly open..but well worth it ::)

Its 5am and I am was just about to go out and water[ best time as its a bit cooler and in the shade] and saw the above, laughed my head of, very funny.

Lynette, I'm loving your Maui Masterpiece blooms!

This is one that starts out growing slow - smallish 4 inch pots but then grows quite large later on and of course the blooms are very large, too.

Charlie

Just wonderful blooms everyone.  Maui Masterpiece is just beautiful, loving the Hawaiian theme for sure.

Farmer D

Hot Pepper in the early morning shade, I have had a single bloom appear every day for 2 weeks now.

Darren and Kerry, that is a fabulous photo of an excellent bush of Acapulco Gold. I don't think I've seen a better photo of Acapulco Gold.  Nice job!

I hope you don't mind me checking out the other photos on that page but I have to say your photos of Tahiti make me want to go! Is that where you are now?

Charlle

First High Heaven bloom - Love this double version of High Voltage ;D
(http://i55.tinypic.com/1zbdu69.jpg)
High Voltage
(http://i54.tinypic.com/5m0682.jpg)

Hi Charlie,

Currently in beautiful Oahu this time, we take turns visiting the diff islands.

That AG bush is amazing.  It grows very quickly and of course tall.  I was going to prune it but spraying it with Supernova seems to be working quite well as many new branches are starting to grow all over.  As you can see it is also blooming like crazy.  This is the perfect starter bush for anyone new at hibiscus.

I hope everyone enjoys the addtl pics - just various shots of Bora Bora, Maui, Oahu & Kauai.

Maui Wowie!!!  :o  Beautiful M², Lynette!  Ummm, tasty colors... I really like Blues in the Night (at night), too!

High Heaven is a feast for the the eyes... Come to think of it, this bloom does look like an edible bowl of raspberries with a stiff dollop of whipped cream on top... OK, my eyes are drooling... time to go in search of dinner.  ;)

thanks yash...so funny..i thought maui wowie too when I first seen it...here is a couple from today..red cape..but I just can't seem to capture the detail in the red..it has a really pretty pinkish glow from the center...oh well...lynette

and 2nd day MAUI WOWIE :D

SOOORY ..ACCIDENTALLY  POSTED TWO OF THE SAME RED CAPES :P

I can clearly see the pink center (that flows in rays right out to the edges of the petals). It might be because I'm viewing it on a flat screen and I have the resolution set at maximum.

Bon Vivant - I know it should have more yellow, but I guess the heat causes there to be more white. I kind of like it this way. :)
(http://i52.tinypic.com/1z3phua.jpg)
Cindy's Heart - The ultimate heat loving cultivar
(http://i55.tinypic.com/2zj04xy.jpg)

David, I need some advise on Desert Rose.  Yours is amazing!  Mine is just holding on for dear life!

Darren, Love the photos. 

Lynette, cant wait for my Maui Wowie!  Beautiful!!  Thanks!

Kristen send me an email if you like if its a particular problem. This year has been my most successful and I have been giving them a lot of food and water, they like a lot but then if they are not growing [they will go dormant sometimes] they don't like any. When I had HVH special blend they loved that, I haven't got it no more and I see Charlie says the Houseplant formula is not suitable for succulents, which Andeniums are. But I do use all the other HVH products and its made a huge difference, especially the iron, people here in the village cant understand why theres arent the same haha, I just tell them its because I am so good, they havent got a clue what I am saying anyway.

(http://i049.radikal.ru/1105/74/a5d7908e8b88.jpg) (http://www.radikal.ru)

Creole Belle
(http://i56.tinypic.com/oqdnb7.jpg)

Talk about having to eat my words, I cant find the topic where we where all saying what cv's disappoint, I only had one and it was Saffron , I said no buds horrible brown bloom and hated the sun etc, then this happens and with loads more buds to come.  In my defence I have had it in 90% shade for 3 months and what a huge difference its made.

wow david ...what a beauty ;D :D

High Heaven - keeping my fingers crossed that this will be a double that likes heat.
(http://i51.tinypic.com/2yzfp89.jpg)
First Love
(http://i56.tinypic.com/15hj41k.jpg)

Compassion
(http://i54.tinypic.com/315eaag.jpg)
Creole Belle
(http://i51.tinypic.com/2yu0g1z.jpg)

Nice blooms, Doll. I'm shocked to see First Love pick up so much color in your heat. Here it is always a soft pink. i've got some huge bushes of this one in 1 gallon size still. Yours looks really vivid. Also the High Heaven sure does resemble High Voltage - first flower I have seen of it since late summer. Bon Vivant may become a picotee - white flower with yellow edges as the heat continues. Pretty close to that now.

Charlie

David, I'm very happy that you got the real deal with Saffron. That first report of a brown flower had me concerned. You got pretty strong orange color even in the deep shade. Here the deep shade turns Saffron yellow but the higher temperatures you have must produce enough of the orange pigment to give it a close to typical look.

Charlie

Charlie, First Love was a soft pink for me during the cooler weather. I think the heat is actually making it more vivid. I wish I had taken a pic of Bon Vivant later in the day. The yellow color  was more vivid and just around the edges. Really looked like a picotee.

The new stock plants (those plants we take cuttings from) at HVH have continued to grow and some have now reached the stage that they are blooming. For some its the first flower I've seen since last summer. Below are a few examples of new varieties just starting to bloom again.

Charlie

Yes its the strangest thing, ever since i started growing Hibiscus I have read that they need sun to bloom, well I have 2 cv/s in total shade that are blooming and some with as little as 20 mins a day that have buds and blooming[this over a period of 3 months], Saffron being a 20 min a day cv and looks near perfect to me Temperatures are high though with no night time low, certainly over the last 10 weeks temperatures have not fallen below 90f 24/7. So maybe as long as you have high tropical temperatures you can get away with less sun for blooming, or even no sun at all, I have allready  proved for my own satisfaction that its the temperature and not the sun that stops me having 2 and 3 day blooms. I will certainly keep experimenting, the longer I can keep them out the blazing sun the better, keeps the cv's much more green and attractive.

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture1-6.png)
Here is a different one for today A first bloom for this plant , Rodeo Drive

Great pic Mike!  Your plants always look great :)

David:  It comes down to total amount of PAR, which is outlined: http://www.hiddenvalleyhibiscus.com/care/sun.htm.  The name of the game is intensity and being at the equator your plants require less direct sunlight to bloom than do others living at more northern latitudes.  We are also finding that hibiscus also require less sun to bloom than previously thought, with many growing and blooming well under artificial light. (Deb, Bart, and Kerry have shown us this to be true)  There is also a direct relationship between temperature and photosynthesis, which is explains why more sun at hotter temperatures does not mean more photosynthesis.  These pages explain it quite nicely:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RuBisCO
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAM_photosynthesis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis#Efficiency

Mike,

RD is a real beauty.  Thank you for sharing.

Farmer D

I like that Thanksgiving bloom.

Cindy's Heart
(http://i51.tinypic.com/o8ihpt.jpg)

Another Bright Orange Cosmic Gold, 2 day flower here.  CG has been lasting 4-6 days up here :)

Hi everyone,

its been a struggle to get here and comment on all the lovely flowers and excellent photos.

here are a couple from today. the plants are still in the greenhouse and i am afraid to put them out, cause bambi will have them for lunch. as it gets hotter, i will have no choice but to evict them. as is is now, i have to water twice a day.

here is june's joy and electric orange. orange is second day bloom. they last for at least 3-4 days.

second is a very nice black dream.

louis

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-28-11/joy-orange.jpg)

(http://www.imagesct.com/web/hib-misc/5-28-11/dream.jpg)

Chris - LOVE that bright orange Cosmic Gold!

Louis – Beautiful blooms (as always)… That Electric Orange is the bomb!

I have two blooms from yesterday – Schizopetalus and Psyche… Psyche has the right idea: Her stigma pads are wearing fur coats (the high temp was only 54º F) - Too cute!

Also, my spring HVH hibiscus arrived yesterday... OK, I had to drive an hour to rescue them from a fate worse than death at the hands of UPS, but I did finally get them home safe and sound for the long holiday weekend (GGGgggrrrrrr @#&*!!! UPS). :P

Anyway, here’s a “baby picture” of my new HVH arrivals…  ;D

AWESOME DEB!  Which little beauties did you get :)  I think I Cosmic Gold in there!

Hi Chris!

Yes, that's Cosmic Gold - Blooming up a storm in her box despite her ordeal... Here's everyone who made this trip:

6” Pots
Albo Lacinatus
Confection Perfection
Cosmic Gold
Frappuccino
Midsummer Night
Saffron

4” Pots
African Princess
Bridal Path
Electric Orange
El Capitolio - Yellow
H. Fragilis
Hankins Sport Pink
High Heaven
Joy

To Be Shipped Later (after receiving more UPS Agent training: "Matrix/Detroit - I know kung fu!" edition 8)): Elephant Ear, H. Rosa-sinensis, Hot Babe

Charlie - Your packaging is OUTSTANDING (Short of sending these guys out in an armored tank)! I can't believe how little actual damage was done to the plants... Thank-you sooo much!!!  :D

hi deb,

thats a nice collection of bamboo sticks.

thats another bennie when you buy from hvh

louis

Wow Deb, lots of nice ones!  Who is the super tall one on the right?  Amazing vigor in that one!

That's Frappuccino (38" tall)... Can't wait to see the blooms on that baby!  :o

WOW!!  Deb, that is one amazing plant, lets see how big you can get it :)

Wakanisha, another FF variety like Frappacino, is shipping with similar size. Neither has budded up yet but they will.

Charlie

Oh Cool!  I look forward to getting my replacement Wak in a few weeks then!  I was disappointed that mine dislodged from its pot during shipping and died when I got it last year.  Since its so vigorous, I can't wait to see the new one :) 

Cross planed: WAK x BTBW :)

Should be a good cross, Chris!

Charlie

This is a hibiscus Antique Lilac?? ???
(http://s59.radikal.ru/i163/1105/93/2eea5cd87706.jpg)

Happy Memorial Day


Daisy Mae
(http://i56.tinypic.com/11l0nt2.jpg)

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture2-3.png)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture3-2.png)
(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture4-1.png)
I have a large Heavy Metal blooming today with 3 flowers on it all facing in different directions

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture1-7.png)
Hi Charlie & Cindy thanks for all the nice new ones I bought yesterday , I'll take good care of them . I got Vin Ext. & Ruby Tues. & Rosalind & Heaven Scent . As time goes I not only look for the prettiest  flowers but I try to buy the ones with the supper bushes & I felt like Rosalind was one of them.   

Happy Memorial Day everyone, and gorgeous photos! 

Svitlana, it could be Antique Lilac, although I'm not familiar with that cv and how its colors can change.



I too was lucky enough to get a Vin E.  So excited!  I can't wait to see her colors in person.


A lovely Island Queen made an appearance at my house today.  :)

Wow, Mike those Heavy Metal are beacons of beautiful color.  That cv is always such a joy to see!

Jordan that Island Queen is very pretty.  Congratulations on such a wonderful bloom, that made my morning.

Farmer D

SvitLana - Very pretty Antique Lilac (?)  ;)

Mike - Heavy Metal ROCKS!

Darkhorse - Island Queen is just so beautiful!

My bloomers today: Cosmic Gold and Orange Lagos... Also, some of the bigger "kids" out  playing (90ºF today :P) and baby African Princess (just because she's so darn cute).  :D

Just busted two would-be hibiscus-nappers  >:(

They didn't see me inside (behind the plants indoors, picking up leaves off the floor), as they were discussing which plants they were going to appropriate... Boy did they look surprised when I whipped open the screen door on the other side and casually came out to have a sit on the porch...

Duh  :P

Hibiscus nappers! I guess they wont be spending much time outside anymore!

Yashodhara, are you serious? Reminds me of the time at my previous greenhouses that were on the same property I lived on. It was dusk and I was sitting at the desk on the second story looking out the window when a neighbor's pick-up truck pulled up to the most distant greenhouse. 2 guys got out and started loading plants into the truck. I ran out screaming !@#$!@%@#%#$% and rescued my plants from these out and out thieves. Next morning one of them slipped an apology and a check under my door - apparently for previous thefts - in hopes I wouldn't call the cops. I didn't but it just goes to show that such special beauty can be too much temptation for some people!

Charlie

How wonderful all the bloom photos that have been recently posted are! It's nice to see some older favorites like Island Queen and Heavy Metal make an appearance. Svetlana, the colors are not right for Antique Lilac but hibiscus colors can change with different conditions like temperature. Wait for some future blooms to see what it will do.

Charlie

Yashodhara,

Did you just chase the would be thieves away or actually have them arrested?

I was at a nursery a couple of weeks ago talking with a woman plant shopping for her elderly neighbor.  Turns out she was trying to find replacements for some longtime treasured flowering shrubs that were dug up and stolen out of her neighbor's garden.  These were well extablished plants in the ground. Ludicrous.  What is our society coming to?  

I have a couple of hundred flowering plants including many of my hibiscus in containers in my back yard only and have concerns the neighbor behind me that is too lazy to work (over 2 years now) will one day clean me out while I'm not home.  I don't have anything growing in containers placed out front.  I have some very nice dayliles out there that I'm surprised haven't sprouted legs and walked away.
Knock on wood.

dave

When they realized I wasn't going back inside until after they had gone, they eventually left (empty handed), so no need to call the police. Scary to think in retrospect, that even though it was getting dark and no one else was around, I was fully prepared for a confrontation... Fortunately, my coming outside when I did was deterrent enough. Brought all the plants back inside, so no more temptation. Guess all future outtings will have to be supervised.  :'(

What a shame we have to worry about our plants being stolen! :(

First Love
(http://i54.tinypic.com/29kt8oi.jpg)
Song Sung Blue
(http://i54.tinypic.com/2j47el0.jpg)
Creole Belle
(http://i52.tinypic.com/xgit8i.jpg)

I have lots of pictures from Darren's Garden but I will post them a little later ( haven't had too much time. 3 day dog show this weekend )

Electric Red - very ruffly
(http://i51.tinypic.com/skzz0h.jpg)

(http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x377/mphquicksilver/Picture3-3.png)
Here is a High Voltage for today !

Burnt Saffron and a day 8 Cosmic Gold

Yashodhara, Darkhorse, Charlie
thanks, I'll wait another bloom!
Although today the second flower is the same:
(http://i017.radikal.ru/1106/e2/e21f19dec3fb.jpg) (http://www.radikal.ru)(http://s003.radikal.ru/i203/1106/c1/35d0c72c5176.jpg) (http://www.radikal.ru)

Whoa, Chris! Those are some colors in the Burnt Saffron. Great contrast going from near black through orange to the lighter edge.

Doll, you've sure got a lot of blooms popping. Creole Belle has been a surprise for me this year. Not the greatest bush but the flowers have been plentiful, big, and colorful as your photos show. Love seeing that Electric Red in Tx, too.

Charlie

Great photos everyone!

Chris, what amazing colors on Burnt Saffron!  Winter claimed mine as a victim.  :(



Here's Space Oddity today.  I also had a Deep Waters to photograph, but it started pouring rain before I could get to it.  (really?  in June?!)

Stupid... posted in May flowers of the day.  :P