Rum Runner

a new one for me...

5 Sunny Wind on a plant. Love those prolific bloomers for a blast of color.

Anyone growing Black Dream? My first bud didn't open all the way and I don't know if that is common with that CV.

Great pic of "Rum Runner".

"Black Dream " has been a good bloomer for me. Might be Thrips or the weather. I have had that happen to me in the past with other cvs and the problem went away on its own. I did have one cv that had Thrips real bad and would only open part way. After I sprayed it a few cycles it corrected itself.

Nice blooms Dee. Not sure about "Black Dreams" characteristics. It's very new and I would guess not many people have it. I believe Robert has it though. Sometimes first blooms can be a little funky/wierd and you just have to let things play out a bit. One of my newer ones (Osceola) took 4 blooms before I had a bloom that completely opened.

Jon

Ahh, so the name of the game is patience and maybe a little spraying...I can do that :-) There is another bud close behind this one so we shall see if it corrects itself soon. Thanks Jons

Spraying??? Do you have a secret spray that you use that magically corrects the form of the bloom?? LOL I want some of that stuff!!!

If I get you some, it won't be a secret anymore! Jeez... :-)

beautiful blooms dee, I've got one ready to open about the color of your sunny wind, can't wait to compare & see if it's the same. love the shot of rum runner, very nice!

(ps send me some secret spray too)

No magical spray... I wish. I have had plants that react differently to pests though. I had thrips bad.. on few plants that were next to one another. Two had the usual greying and bud drop but one cv the blooms would only open part way and not drop. It could of been a combination of things but after I knoked out the infestation the blooms opened to full form.

good to know, what did you use to treat for thrips?

I use ortho systemic and spinosad alternating between the two every five days. Lately I have been using neem and horticortural oil. I'm sure there is someone on here that can give you some better advice than me.

I have been using Ortho Systemic Insect Killer but am just about out of it. It has not been available here for about a year now. Sometimes I use Bayer 3 In 1 Insect Killer. During the summer I have to use one or the other just about every two weeks. From October-May I don't have to use anything. It's a constant battle down here all summer long.

Jon

what else are you two battling besides thrips, aphids and white fly? I need to know what to be on the look out for...

I know what you mean about the constant battle. It seems like I'm constantly fighting pests like i'm in a war. I'm calling the county AG department this week to apply for a permit to get a better arsenal of pestacides.

Spider mites... Thrips, slugs, White fly. Its never ending....

slugs on your hibiscus?

I'm at war all summer with thrips and spider mites. Aphids and mealy bugs make an occasional appearance. One thing I've never seen here is a slug. Occasionally we get some escargot in the winter, but they don't mess with the hibiscus. LOL

A few weeks ago I was moving some pots around and when I lifted one up from the bottom I had slimy goo on the tips of my fingers. I ended up finding around 30 slugs underneath my pots. I'm not sure what harm they can do but I bought some slugo to eradicate the slimy monsters.

lol you just busted them at their secret summer hang out "pssst we're partying under the pots at Jon's house. pass it on... :-)

I'm rethinking moving my plants to ground level...there are a lot more critters down there than on the 2nd story balcony where they are now..

GO,Rum Runner is stunning!!!!

Definitely a "Wow" flower.

Love the intense colors of your "Rum Runner" just beautiful Dee.

Wilfred

Well Wilfred...where have you been? Missed you!

Been a little depressed lately, going thru hard times for the past few month and it started to get to me.

Thanks Dee.

Wilfred

I've been wondering where you've been too Wilfred, so glad to hear you're doing ok now & posting. I have some little seedlings coming up thanks to you! This place isn't the same without you showing your new seedlings so what ya got new blooming? (I'll even take some old blooms) lol ;-)