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Title: Chariots of Fire Post by: Darkhorse on August 03, 2009, 12:30:46 PM My COF has started! I got a 4" pot earlier this year, and it's one of my favorites. The bush is very nice, no flopiness, and branches naturally with large, glossy leaves. The colors of the bloom are so bright! The blooms are large and well-formed, and in my conditions always last at least 2 days. It's still in a smaller pot, but I can't wait to see what the cv does in the next few years.
Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: Darkhorse on August 03, 2009, 12:31:11 PM Forgot the pic
Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: Nievesgirl on August 03, 2009, 03:16:42 PM That is a nice bloom !
Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: Charlie on August 04, 2009, 08:10:11 AM Chariots of Fire is one of those cvs that can bloom more than most. Nice bush, too, but the number of flowers is where it really shines. Below are 2 photos of the bush in bloom, one last year and one this year. Also shows how tired my old digicam was getting or maybe it never was as accurate with colors like red than the new camera. One photo is with the new camera and the other with the old camera.
Charlie Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: Darkhorse on August 04, 2009, 10:23:17 AM Charlie I forgot to ask, have you used COF at all in hybridizing?
Title: Chariots of Fire Post by: Cindy on August 04, 2009, 06:24:38 PM He keeps trying to use Chariots of Fire, Jordan, but he's not having any success so far. It won't set seed and it never even has any pollen. Too sad...
I love that hib though. It's another one that blooms well inside. Cindy Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: Darkhorse on August 05, 2009, 12:56:53 PM That is too bad. I looked at my COF bloom today. It does have little yellow grains coming off of the anthers... is it just not viable?
Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: Charlie on August 05, 2009, 08:03:14 PM Well, after I told Cindy that I didn't see much pollen on Chariots of Fire I went to the propagation room where I have my just planted seeds and recently germinated seedlings and what should be awaiting me but a fine little seedling that was Saffron x Chariots. Obviously it does make useable pollen although I have to add that I don't see much of it.
Charlie Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: farmer d on April 22, 2011, 11:02:48 PM COF has been my best plant by far out of 40+ in my first year of growing hibiscus. Being all my plants are planted in ground outside 365 and it was there first full year of life...
Not only did COF grow more than any other hib I have in one year (from a 4" to over 3.5') but it is a very full bush that requires no maintenance at all. It blooms like crazy too as the pics below show. I am very happy with this plant and recommend it to anyone who wants an super easy to grow plant that will bloom constantly. On my worst days of growing failures I could always go over to COF and feel some sense of progression with this monster. Even during the worst stretches of being outside in winter it never lost a beat and bloomed constantly. It also branches very well on it's own to the point that it is already 3 ft across as well. I use it as my measuring guide for spacing out new planters for future hibiscus. I figure no plant can grow this big this fast so it is my max size for hibs at this age. (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFirePlant12-9.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFirePlant12-13.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFirePlant12-15.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFireProfusion12-13.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFireProfusion12-15.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/ChariotsofFireTwins11-17.jpg) Farmer D Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: blupit007 on April 25, 2011, 07:10:35 AM Darren, those photos are amazing. Who knew?! It is so abundant! I think this would be one that would really impress me in person.
Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: Charlie on May 02, 2011, 06:59:52 AM Wow! Darren, those bushes are excellent! Great job growing them!!! This is what the forum is all about for me - seeing the potential of a particular hibiscus fully expressed! I knew Chariots of Fire was a good bush but I didn't know it was that good. It obviously loves being in the ground, or at least your ground. Thanks for sharing these.
Charlie Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: farmer d on July 02, 2011, 11:40:40 AM Some updated shots of COF, this bush just keeps growing like crazy. It's almost 4 ft tall (got it last yr as a 6" in April).
Last count it had over 130 buds...just amazing!! (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02115.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02091.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02083.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02070.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC02049.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01971.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/DSC01965.jpg) Farmer D Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: Charlie on July 03, 2011, 06:01:30 AM In January I had more Chariots of Fire plants in 3 sizes than I thought we would be able to sell this year. Can't say for sure but the photos posted on this forum may have contributed to the fact that it is out of stock now and it's only June! Spectacular bushes and photos!
Charlie Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: davidwood on July 03, 2011, 05:19:25 PM In January I had more Chariots of Fire plants in 3 sizes than I thought we would be able to sell this year. Can't say for sure but the photos posted on this forum may have contributed to the fact that it is out of stock now and it's only June! Spectacular bushes and photos! Haha cant say for sure, I would say its an absolute certanty, I am growing cuttings like mad here so as to cheat and get the Hollywood C of F look.Charlie Title: Re: Chariots of Fire Post by: farmer d on October 25, 2011, 02:30:54 PM Had to add these shots as COF has reclaimed the monster title in my yard among stiff competition. This plant just wants to bloom like no other!!
Oh and check out the height now compared to the previous pics above. It is growing like crazy too!! Easy maintenance, just watch out for the spider mites. (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Oct%202011%20Hibiscus/ChariotsofFireProfusion10-25.jpg) (http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m613/darreneminian/Oct%202011%20Hibiscus/NorthPlanterTopView10-25.jpg) Farmer D |