Tropical Hibiscus
 

I know, not an orchid, that's why it is in this sub-forum.

Had a discussion about tropical plants in general with my tenant, and he mentioned multi-colored tropical Hibiscus. Big mistake. I managed to resist the temptation for a couple of weeks. Then I decided to get a couple.

Now I have 30+.

The most spectacular bloom yet opened today (Quiet Energy, from Hidden Valley Hibiscus). When it first opened, the flower was a solid 8" across; by the end of the day, it was 9". Photo does not really show how impressive it is, the eye is a dark burgundy red.

I love them and had a couple in my GH in NH back in the day but man were they ever a white fly magnate.
I still keep a couple in the Keys but now I have them because the iguanas think they are candy so helps keep them out of the orchids.

Hahaha they are like candy to people too, so addictive to decorate with!

There are some WILD colors and textures out there.

When I drive around older neighborhoods in southern California I see an amazing range of these. I haven't mastered growing them from cuttings but when I do I plan to knock on doors and ask to buy pieces of these old plants.

The basic idea is easy: Take short hardwood cuttings, dip in rooting hormone, place in slightly damp sand, keep very humid. Many but not all will root in water. But there are a lot that rot. Some varieties are very hard to root..

A friend's father was a pilot in Venezuela in the 1950s and 60s. She tells of her mother using a hammer to pound fresh hibiscus cuttings into the ground along their sidewalk. They all took.

Of course I intend to try my hand at propagation, but most of my plants are still too small. Just wait till the spring.

And when my wife saw that comment: 'That's why we are NOT moving to Florida'

That is gorgeous. At least it is hibiscus and not tubs of lotus. Hibiscus can be kept small by keeping them in smaller containers.

We had a couple in PA, potted on our deck. Now was colored a lot like the one Kim posted, the other one was apricot colored. The blossoms of that one - only that one - were a favored snack of our mini dachshund.

My neighbor gave me a cutting a while back, and it survived my clumsy efforts to eventually grace us with blooms from time to time. They are large to the point that they are kind of floppy when first open.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/water...e=49482&size=1

They eventually perk up to spring back to a more normal looking bloom.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/water...e=41073&size=1
Mine seems to be a 'heavy feeder' when growing / blooming, and it likes water.

So far no seeds from this one, but I have others that seed pretty often.

I LOVE hibiscus. I wish the flowers lasted a bit longer