January Flower Photos of the Day

[Ernest]

John, let me add my condolences to David's on the passing of your father. Caring for a sick or dying relative is a stressful experience and can weaken the resistance of the caregiver to the point where they become ill themselves. So I hope you are on the mend and will soon be over your infection.
Our recent warm weather has produced a few blooms to share. My Saffron looks just like yours.

Erny

[Ernest]

A few more, The last is a King Protea bush getting ready to burst into flower.

[Yashodhara]

Greetings everyone...

John - My deepest sympathies to you on the loss of your dad... So very sorry to hear that, and about your illness (lots of that "lung infection" sickness going on here in Michigan, too).  

I'm blaming it on the CRAZY weather we've been having: Had a high temp of 61ºF and thunderstorms on 01/30/13 (3:25 AM) and dropped to 25ºF with 45mph winds and snow by 11:00 PM that night...  It's a whopping 14ºF now

Punxsutawney Phil had better NOT see his shadow tomorrow morning - LOL!

Lots of blooms, but no time for individual photos (work, work, work).  But, I have some "indoor jungle" shots (Yes, it really is a jungle now!)

Deb  

[Geneva]

Wow that's amazing, my plants are really stressed, leaves all dead or dying; one plant has died already. Brought a few in the house and they are just sitting there doing nothing.
Naturally when I buy a few hibiscus plants we are hit with the coldest winter in decades 
The bigger ones that are left outside have been covered with tarps and I have Christmas lights at the base but they still look pretty sick. Maybe I'll have to give up on growing hibiscus. I hope they will perk up if spring ever arrives. I guess without a greenhouse it's a lost cause here where I live.

[Charlie]

Geneva, (almost) all the hibiscus from HVH grow on their own roots which means that they can grow back from a few inches of live main stem unless the whole plant is killed by the cold. Before you throw them away I suggest you scratch the bark about 2 inches above the soil line - if there is bright green underneath then the plant is still alive. If it is brown or mushy under the bark that low down on the main stem then the plant is dead and might as well be tossed.

Then, if the tops look hopeless just go ahead and cut the plant down to about 6 inches in height or even lower if there is rot at the 6 inch level. Some will grow back, others will not but its worth a try. Do this after the last freeze has passed.

Good luck!

Charlie

PS. you might want to look over our pages about growing hibiscus in the house over the winter. Many people do this and learn to really enjoy the green leaves and perhaps even a few winter flowers.

[Geneva]

Geneva, (almost) all the hibiscus from HVH grow on their own roots which means that they can grow back from a few inches of live main stem unless the whole plant is killed by the cold.

Thanks, Charlie, hopefully they will bounce back come spring. I haven't thrown any away yet....