Island Girl

[helixturnhelix]

Does anyone find island girl to be a variety that likes cooler weather or maybe more humidity?  The reason I ask is when in Colorado, my island girl did not grow or do much of anything in the sunny 80+ degree days.  However, since I moved its been subjected to cooler temps and higher humidity and its been sending out new leaves and I see microbuds forming!   Very different than how it did back in sunny and dry Colorado.  I was a bit skeptical that I would see any blooms till spring, but I find that hibiscus like to surprise you in one way or another

On a side note if anyone grows Cattleya orchids, the HVH fertilizer seems to be yielding fairly nice results.  I started to use the HVH fertilizer on my orchids (which I grow in the same area as the hibiscus) in June and they have started breaking multiple leads (leaves that eventually flower) and are now setting bud.  In fact, ive been using HVH fertilizer on all my other plants and they really seem to be doing very well on it.  Given that hibiscus are tropical, it would make sense that other tropical species enjoy similar nutrient profiles, but to all you out there that grow other houseplants, HVH fertilizer is great for them too! 

[Darkhorse]

My Island Girl grew well and bloomed here this summer with temps in the 90s+ in half day sun.  She's growing much more vigorously than the IG I had last year, so maybe this cv is a little inconsistent or sometimes takes a little time to get going...?

[helixturnhelix]

Ah thanks Jordan for that info, she does seem to be a more variable variety it seems.  Thats good to hear that she is doing good for you now   It will be interesting to see if she blooms and grows well for me here. 

[Charlie]

So many of these varieties show different growth habits depending on the conditions they are in. That said, Island Girl in my conditions has grown to a medium side bush that then makes lots of short stems that flower. I still have the original plant that has been about 4 feet tall for the last several years. It might grow differently if I did not take cuttings off of it once a year. In any case for the original to still be around after 8 years shows it to be resilient.

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

Wow Charlie, great picture!  Her blooms are so unique, I havent seen any variety that blooms with the beige edge and purple, pink, red body.  I bet I will get the more purple blooms when she blooms in a few weeks.  I am really happy that I was able to get one, I can't wait to try and cross her  

[blupit007]

Great photo Charlie!  Did you get the new lens you were hoping for?  I want this Island Girl now that I see the photos.  And I love resilient!! 

[Charlie]

Kristen, I have an excellent lens that I bought for my Nikon DSLR that cost more than the camera - but it is not a macro. That is still on my wish list. sigh.......

Charlie

[helixturnhelix]

Everyone is in the DSLR club eh  

I really do need a good camera, the phone camera is prob not the best

[Charlie]

Based on your photos, the phone camera does pretty well. iPhone, right? Maybe not as versatile as a dedicated camera but the colors are pleasing.

Charlie