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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #60 on: January 06, 2012, 09:37:58 PM » |
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I totally agree Erny, I am sure that the soil and water in Vietnam is very different than the interesting chemical stew that makes up LA city water. I know that you are also getting Acapulco Gold this spring, so hopefully you can provide some more insight on this CV.
My experience with AG was as a houseplant where it was a nice grower and good bloomer. There are a few seedlings from my AG crossed to my now deceased Burnished Gold which Charlie has grown for me. They seem quite nice from the pictures and I am sure this is due to the awesome parents! I hope that they propagate well and are made available to everyone in the near future.
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Louis
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« Reply #61 on: January 07, 2012, 06:22:49 AM » |
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Louis, those are two beautiful blooms. The caption on the lower one says Wild Grape X Moonstruck. Is that correct or is it Black Dream? Whichever it is the result is outstanding.
Erny
hi erny, thanks for bringing that boo boo to my attention, it's definitely wild grape and moonstruck. i had to go back and check the tag  i corrected the original post. thanks, louis |
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Charlie
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« Reply #62 on: January 07, 2012, 07:01:09 AM » |
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Nice points from all about bush growth and Acapulco Gold. Another factor not mentioned is the effect of wind on bush growth. It makes a lot of difference. Some commercial growers in greenhouses actually stimulate stem strengthening using a manual process of bending the stems each day. Not usually needed with hibiscus but it is interesting that the natural movement of the stems caused by wind also causes the stems to thicken.
I like your new seedling, Lou. Not what you probably imagined from this cross but I have seen Moonstruck babies show this type of color before and find it different and pleasing to the eye. No doubt you will see a wide variation in these seedlings as the flowers come.
pH of the growing media is important to growing anything but hibiscus have a wide range that they do well with. As long as the leaves are a nice green and growth is reasonable you can conclude that the pH of the soil your hibiscus are growing in is within the range that hibiscus like.
Charlie
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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #63 on: January 07, 2012, 09:47:48 AM » |
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Interesting Charlie about the manual bending some grower perform on their plants. I also forgot to mention that lowering the amount of nitrogen you use in your fertilizer will also decrease the rate at which your plants put on vertical growth. Usually low nitrogen and high potassium promotes more girthy plants. I have dramatically decreased the amount of nitrogen I give my plants indoors since I do no want alot of top growth, but still give high potassium and magnesium. The result has been nice compact bushes with lots of blooms still. |
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davidwood
David In Nha Trang Vietnam
Posts: 1054
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« Reply #64 on: January 07, 2012, 04:01:08 PM » |
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Interesting Charlie about the manual bending some grower perform on their plants. I also forgot to mention that lowering the amount of nitrogen you use in your fertilizer will also decrease the rate at which your plants put on vertical growth. Usually low nitrogen and high potassium promotes more girthy plants. I have dramatically decreased the amount of nitrogen I give my plants indoors since I do no want a lot of top growth, but still give high potassium and magnesium. The result has been nice compact bushes with lots of blooms still. I am going to try that for a while, I would prefer a much more compact bush and with the garden being on a roof top I dont want my cv's to get to tall. Can I ask what ratio of Magnesium do you give to the Potassium, is it like equal proportions, 1 teaspoon Potassium to 1 teaspoon Magnesium[Epsom Salts]. |
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David.
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helixturnhelix
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« Reply #65 on: January 07, 2012, 04:47:38 PM » |
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I use the potassium and magnesium at a 1:1 ratio. I tend to use more magnesium because my plants are indoors and get less light, but I cant imagine that outdoor plants wouldnt benefit from increased magnesium as well.
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farmer d
Farmer D
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Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #66 on: January 07, 2012, 06:52:51 PM » |
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The differences in AG bush shape can be explained by the fact that one is grown under entirely tropical conditions (Daves) vs subtropical (Darren). Under subtropical conditions fall and winter weather is not usually warm enough or there is not a long enough photo-period (hours of daylight) for hibiscus to grow very much. Although there is usually little vertical or primary growth, there is still secondary or woody growth occurring. This allow Darrens plants to put more girth on before the growing season begins. The last two summers have been relatively cool in Southern California, extending the cool weather "bulk up" so a very sturdy AG may be an artifact of this.
In contrast David lives in an entirely tropical climate, where it is warm enough for hibiscus to grow vigorously all year. Therefore Davids AG is growing vertically at a faster rate than secondary or woody growth can occur, contributing to a floppier bush.
Although there are differences in bush growth, I think we can all agree that under both conditions AG is a prolific bloomer and has excellent color and form.
Chris I think you make a really strong point here. This past summer the temps were very consistent for three months straight and nothing too hot always between 75 - 80F (24 - 27C). This definitely helped to moderate the rate of growth so that the bean stalk look and possibly thin branching was averted. Couple this with my spraying of Supernova to induce branch growth and divert the plant's energy to being dedicated to just vertical growth I think factors in somewhat as well. What's interesting is that I was so heavily feeding my plants with fert and booster and yet they still were able to get such solid size on the branches. So as Erny mentioned the in ground environment makes the difference in my book and is the true driving force of thicker branches. I know that this is still the main factor in my avoiding floppy branching with all of my CVs (except Some Like It Hot). Kerry no offense taken but I do have to say that if you look at my AG (different angle with these pics) I am so excited to see how the plant is branching. You can see by the curvature of the new side branches how much more round and full this plant is going to become next summer. I also love how it has branched out just above the wall on the backside. I don't have to trim or mold this plant or any others at all. I know in a few years this thing will just be an awesome full lush bush that will be probably over 8 ft (2.5m) tall. Ironically I'll have to determine how tall I really want it to get as all the shade it will create will be an issue for my grass.  Farmer D |
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #67 on: January 07, 2012, 07:04:18 PM » |
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So here we are at the end of the 1st week of January. Last year this is when I started seeing all of my plants begin to shut down. I have not sprayed this week with Supernova as it has been in the 80s all week till today. I have noticed my smaller plants I got this past spring are now getting lots of yellow leaves so this might be the sign of them shutting down. My 2 yr olds are going strong with no stopping in sight so far...either way I'll start spraying again tomorrow.
One thought I'll throw out there which is why I spray with my dinky plastic spray bottle instead of some sort of mechanized sprayer that would save time is how plants seem to respond to us being around them a lot (the fuss factor as Charlie has stated previously). It is really interesting lately some of the research and findings that are coming out about morphic fields and how they interact with each other. We apparently have them as well as our cherished plants too, really all things do. Anyone else familiar with this?
Farmer D
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #68 on: January 07, 2012, 07:08:01 PM » |
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some more
Farmer D
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Louis
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« Reply #69 on: January 07, 2012, 07:14:35 PM » |
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Daren, treat yourself to a battery powered sprayer. i have one and love it. do a search for "Cepia Battery Powered Sprayer" they come in sizes from 6 ozs to one gallon. this is really not an endorsement but sharing info. louis |
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Denise
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« Reply #70 on: January 07, 2012, 07:28:54 PM » |
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Sorry to be redunant, but that Prosperity NEVER quits!!! If I'm not mistaken, those colors are just as vivid as they were in Summer and Fall. Can't WAiT to own that one.
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davidwood
David In Nha Trang Vietnam
Posts: 1054
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« Reply #71 on: January 07, 2012, 08:54:59 PM » |
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Don't worry Denise come late Spring I expect you will be showing loads.
Looking down on my browns, Cranberry Muffin at 8 inches looks very big compared to the others.
Finally Dragons Heart is budding up and blooming again, its in a very shady spot and has been resting for about 2 months, John's Passion Play is one of my favourite blooms and this is quite similar.
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David.
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farmer d
Farmer D
Posts: 5573
Hollywood, CA
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« Reply #72 on: January 07, 2012, 09:10:28 PM » |
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Sorry to be redunant, but that Prosperity NEVER quits!!! If I'm not mistaken, those colors are just as vivid as they were in Summer and Fall. Can't WAiT to own that one.
Saturday night fun here on the forum!! Denise you're right on with your observations on Prosperity. That's one of the reasons why this is my overall favorite CV that I have. The thing is a machine of top quality everything. If you haven't already purchased this one I would highly recommend making it your next buy. Farmer D |
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Denise
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« Reply #73 on: January 07, 2012, 09:13:21 PM » |
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Saturday night fun here on the forum!!
Denise you're right on with your observations on Prosperity. That's one of the reasons why this is my overall favorite CV that I have. The thing is a machine of top quality everything. If you haven't already purchased this one I would highly recommend making it your next buy.
Farmer D
Don't worry, it was the first one in my cart at 4 AM on 12/30!! |
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Denise
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« Reply #74 on: January 07, 2012, 10:48:12 PM » |
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David, that Dragon's Heart is stunning! And so is that brown one in the upper left. Your colors are so striking! I love it. This forum is getting me through Winter, that's for sure! Can't wait for Spring to get here though!!!
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