Hibiscus: How are your hardy Hibiscuses this year?, 1 by Michael_Ronayne

Michael_Ronayne wrote:
To ButterflyChaser,

Your second photograph is of Hibiscus Lord Baltimore which is “almost” pod sterile. Lord Baltimore is the pod parent for Lady Baltimore and the Plant Patent for Lady Baltimore documents the breeding issue with Lord Baltimore.

Hibiscus plant named Lady Baltimore
http://www.google.com/patents/USPP4271

Last year I posted a report that pollen from Hibiscus Moy Grande will pollinate Hibiscus Lord Baltimore with a 100% success rate. The first generation hybrids from this cross should be breaking dormancy shortly. I strongly suspect that the pollen tubes from most Hibiscus are not long enough to achieve federalization.

You should be grateful you are getting one or two pods a year. Until I found Moy Grande I never had any pods and believe me I tried pollen from every hibiscus I had.

Many, including myself, consider Hibiscus Lord Baltimore to be purest red Hardy Hibiscus ever created.

Mike