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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #150 on: October 25, 2011, 06:33:13 PM » |
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Hey Darren, Yup I remember that post and talking to Constantino, I think they were talking about potassium and how plants can adapt to really high levels of potassium over time. Potassium creates very dark flowers and lush bushes and that dark bloom of My Blue Heaven under that cultivars information page was under my new fertilizer regeme, the cool weather of WA probably didnt hurt to bring out their color as well. I have dropped the amount of Nitrogen and phosphorous alot in my fertilizing routine, and bumped up the potassium and magnessium, and my plants have been doing great. I grow my plants indoors, under artifical lighting, so their nutrient demand is a bit different than what outdoor growers experience. I think you will find that your plants will probably grow the same if you reduce the fert your using and keep adding potassium. I really like sprinkling Epsom salts once a month on my plants. Its a good source of magnessium and potassium that gets released eached time you water. I get excellent growth and flower color with light fertilizer and heavy potassium. In the case of soil nutrients, plants can store phosphorous and nitrogen readily, but when it comes to potassium, they are unable to do so. In fact I recently read a paper looking at how nutrients are assimulated in forest ecosystems, and potassium was the first to be extracted from decaying organic matter (leaves, wood, etc) They proposed that since plants cannot store potassium, they activily seek it out wherever it may be. I have seen this to be the case in growing my own plants as well.  At anyrate, its always interesting to hear what other people are doing.
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Maureenpm00
Posts: 57
Maureen Long Island NY
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« Reply #151 on: October 25, 2011, 06:47:10 PM » |
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Farmer D - yes, that is the bloom i've fallen in love with. I hope it is available cause i have to have it. I'm off to see the discussion page.
I just brought all my hibs in last night. Some are covered with buds....can't wait. I should see my first bud from Bonnie Lass and more from Confection perfection, AG and Saffron.
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Denise
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« Reply #152 on: October 25, 2011, 06:57:41 PM » |
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Hi Denise - yeah that's Prosperity in the front next to my mailbox. I can tell you like the bright colors like me so this one is a definite must get as soon as Charlie has more ready. Incredible bush, grows very well and buds like crazy.
Lucky mailman/woman huh?
Farmer D
Yup, very lucky mailman/woman!  Hope they don't pick them  It's gorgeous. I almost bought it before but it went away from the store and I ended up getting Confection Perfection at that time. Not disappointed that I did, though- that one is awesome too! Should I get Ay Carumba or Prosperity for my next orange purchase?? Help me!
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #153 on: October 25, 2011, 10:36:58 PM » |
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Denise,
I got both as 6" plants so maybe Charlie can compare how the two grow as smaller 4" ones to better decide. The only other differentiator I see is the plant and abdundance of blooms favors Prosperity. It seems more vigorous and hardy than Ay Caramba.
Both have strong parents. Oh and as always it depends on what is available first too. I have a sneaky feeling Charlie will have more Prosperity to sell next year than AC.
Let's see what he has to say.
Farmer D
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Charlie
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« Reply #154 on: October 26, 2011, 04:32:00 AM » |
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You are right, Farmer D. Prosperity grows as a vigorous, full bush and provides a lot of wood. I was concerned that the type of wood it makes might not root well but that did not turn out to be the case. We already have many baby Prosperity plants growing for next year. I like the colors of Ay Caramba quite a lot. Very intense and bright. It has medium vigor but we don't have many stock plants and did not have a lot of wood for next year. There will be some plants offered in January when the store opens but it will probably be sold out well before spring shipping comes around.
Charlie
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Denise
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« Reply #155 on: October 26, 2011, 06:03:33 AM » |
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Well I think I should go with Prosperity based on both of your comments, and the fact that it has been catching my eye for some time now! Ay Carumba sure is bright and beautiful though! We'll see what happens early in the morning on Dec. 30 if they are BOTH available in the store!  Now how about Vin Extraordinaire vs. Pinot Noir? I think I know Charlie's answer.. Thanks again for your input. This forum is so helpful and informative. You are all super helpful and I LOVE being able to "talk" with people who share the same excitement I feel when that big beautiful bloom finally opens and graces our yards for only a few brief days 
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Doll
Posts: 1036
Houston, Texas
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« Reply #156 on: October 26, 2011, 07:18:17 AM » |
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A few from today
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I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #157 on: October 26, 2011, 12:19:44 PM » |
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John your blooms are picture perfect. Great colors and form on them all!! I hope it is a long and mild fall for you down there for months to come... Today's blooms... Really pretty Tahitian Princess with a more pinkish hue this time...  Farmer D
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Doll
Posts: 1036
Houston, Texas
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« Reply #158 on: October 26, 2011, 12:47:40 PM » |
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Darren, that is the nicest Tahitian Princess bloom I have ever seen. It makes me really want to get one, but I think the blooms would be completely washed out in my climate.
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I wasn't born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #159 on: October 26, 2011, 12:57:00 PM » |
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Darren, that is the nicest Tahitian Princess bloom I have ever seen. It makes me really want to get one, but I think the blooms would be completely washed out in my climate.
John if you can find a shady spot for it I think it would do well. I put mine in a mostly shady spot (front 1/3 of plant gets afternoon sun) that is also very wet and it adjusted over a few months. Now it is growing very nicely and budding a lot. Tahitians seem to have much smaller comfort zones and don't like a lot of change which would be an issue once winter rolls around and you have to move it inside. I haven't had mine yet through winter so can't tell you what might happen. Of all my Tahitians T Princess seems to be one of the stronger and vigorous ones. Farmer D
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Denise
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« Reply #160 on: October 26, 2011, 02:04:37 PM » |
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Good to hear Tahitian Princess is seeming to be a stronger one, as I got a 4" last week! Will need to baby her through winter! By the way, Darren, your pictures are what inspired my purchase! (I'm guessing this isn't the first time you've been told that!)
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Denise
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« Reply #161 on: October 26, 2011, 03:03:54 PM » |
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High Voltage doing her pink thing...
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motherof4
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« Reply #162 on: October 26, 2011, 05:10:49 PM » |
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Darren Prosperity is now on my wish list  ...Denise I like High Voltage better when it turns pink....here are some blooms from today....lynette
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motherof4
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« Reply #163 on: October 26, 2011, 05:25:49 PM » |
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and a few more....
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Denise
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« Reply #164 on: October 26, 2011, 06:30:03 PM » |
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Motherof4- Gorgeous! Your yard must be so pretty and colorful! Where in the US are you located? How many different hibiscus do you have?
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