April Photos of the Day - 2011

[blupit007]

And then there is my ole faithful, Saffron.  Charlie, I love this plant.  It is such a good performer for me.  Always in bloom.  Very strong too.

[Doll]

First Compassion bloom


I thought it was fitting that I had an Enlightenment bloom today as well, since Enlightenment is the father of Compassion.

[motherof4]

kristen are you growing yours inside??....I also have a gabriel ..and it is outside..kinda slow growing...yours is beautiful...I am setting up a small area in one of my spare rooms to try growing some in side...I think I might move gabriel inside...im a little nervous...mainly the spider mite thing....I'll just try to keep them real clean and spray them with hort oil and soap weekly...wish me luck ..Lynette

[Doll]

Beautiful pics Kristen.

A few more from today.
Pocahontis

First Song Sung Blue bloom

[davidwood]

Very nice Kristen, a lovely purple colour. As for the messed up female parts well Darren had it on a few of his last year and I also had it a couple of times, I thought it may be Thrips doing mine so gave it a good spray with Spinosad, I now spray weekly with Spinosad and I have had no deformities since.

[farmer d]

Wow, what wonderful colors.  Spring has arrived for sure.

Doll your sure started off with a bang, something about Cindy's Heart that makes it special.

Kristen, man those are some serious colors you got there.  I'm not even sure if you can classify Gabriel as purple, it is so dark and mysterious.  What a sight your SP is, that is the darkest one I've ever seen.  And of course Saffron...classic.

David, great memory!
I never did get a clear cut answer on the misguided female parts.  I can say I don't believe I've ever had thrips.  The one fact that stands out for me is that this did not happen until the weather and season went to winter temps.  After several cold rain interludes I got the funky sets of pads and it was on several different cvs.

Let's see if this persists into late spring and summer...I bet it will go away soon.

Farmer D

[blupit007]

kristen are you growing yours inside??.....Lynette

Hi Lynette,
  Yes, they are all inside.  Crammed in one room up against a fantastic south facing sliding glass door.  They all have been pretty happy.  I can not move anyone outside until May 15.... that is the cut off date for frost in Connecticut.  Although we have been seeing some 70º days now and then, the nights are still in the 30's.

[blupit007]

Very nice Kristen, a lovely purple colour. As for the messed up female parts well Darren had it on a few of his last year and I also had it a couple of times, I thought it may be Thrips doing mine so gave it a good spray with Spinosad, I now spray weekly with Spinosad and I have had no deformities since.

Hi David,
  I have never seen a thrip...  I have never had one.  It is freezing cold at night and I think that they are not a big fan on CT.  Louis, have you ever had any thrips?  I haven't.   Plenty of Spider Mites to share if any one wants any though....  I think that Darren is right about the cold weather causing this bizarre affect.  Both of the Gabriel twins had it.  I pollinated them anyway.  We shall see if they still work

[blupit007]

Thanks everyone for the nice compliments too

Doll, that Enlightenment is AWESOME! 

[Charlie]

For sure it is the environment that causes flower reproductive parts to develop or function poorly. It's also related to particular varieties with some being more affected than others. How this actually works I don't think anyone has ever tried to figure out but it makes sense that plants that evolved in the tropics would have unusual responses to cold temperatures. Usually the plants involved will straighten out when conditions improve although there are a few varieties that are sterile and always show twisted staminal columns and misformed pads.

Charlie

[Charlie]

Doll, I'm curious about the size of Enlightenment and your first Compassion out of the box. In our conditions Enlightenment runs about 6 inches and Compassion usually 8 inches. First flowers that open within a week after shipping are often smaller or don't show normal color. I don't know why that is but I've seen it even after local truck deliveries that take only 1 day. Everything settles down within a week or so of arrival.

Charlie

[Doll]

Charlie, Enlightenment is normally around 6 inches. This first Compassion was around 7 inches. I have noticed that those first blooms right after shipping are smaller and less colorful. High Voltage seems to be one of the few varieties that doesn't seem to be affected from the stress of shipping.

[farmer d]

Now this is what I'm talking about...arrived yesterday, blooms today.

To me this is the quintessential look of what probably most people think a hibiscus looks like.  Bright, happy and full of warm colors.  I really like the white veining, adds an unexpected element and the contrast between colors is so sharp.

Enjoy...Daisy Mae!





Farmer D

[Doll]

Darren, your Daisy Mae is beautiful. The one I received Thursday should bloom tomorrow or Monday. Thanks for sharing.

[blupit007]

Usually the plants involved will straighten out when conditions improve although there are a few varieties that are sterile and always show twisted staminal columns and misformed pads.
Charlie

Charlie,

  Does a twisted column mean sterile?  My Roman Candle twists, and on day 2 it bends in on itself towards the petals.  I have tried to pollinate it several times with no luck...

~K