Funny looking leaves.

This Hib has funny looking leaves. Think you had the same thing, Wilfred. It hasn't bloomed & this doesn't look like any of my other Hibs. Does anyone know anything about this?

Judy

Judy your plant looks great but I notice that it might need a little fertilizer, leaves are showing a little deficiency in them, wouldn't want that to affect the bloom's color, size or shape when it decides to bloom, how old is your seedling. If it has more than a year, it should bloom when you least expect it to do so. It looks like it going to be a nice bushy plant that should put out plenty of blooms for you, just be patient and give it time to bloom.

Wilfred

Thanks, Wilfred. Yes, the plant did need fertilizer. Had the wrong kind but got the one with the proper numbers yesterday. Didn't want to use the 20-20-20 which I had been using. Was beginning to think I was growing something else until I saw your post with a similar leaf. Will let you know if & when it blooms. Are yours blooming?

Judy

That sure is a big plant Judy, can't wait to see the bloom. Wilfred just reminded me I'm overdue for fertilizing. Best go mix up a batch for this evening. How are you doing with those seeds, I got nothing so far, but I don't think it's been long enough yet. Take care.
deb

I just picked up a few plants over the weekend that look like they are related to yours...

Hibiscus acetosella

Here is 'Red Leaf'

Haight Ashbury

and finally 'Maple Sugar'

Those new plants do have unusual leaf patterns. Love the different coloration. You must have a good place to buy locally???? Anxious to see what they do when they have flowers. I'm going to feed mine, talk to it & see if it will bloom. Will post a picture when & if that happens. Am pretty sure it was blooming when I bought it cause I used to pay a whole lot more attention to the flowers than the tags & I've had it a year or two. Deb, it isn't really a big plant...was sitting in a lawn chair so I could get a better picture. Have not even planted my seed yet. Had company again & just been dragging my tail feathers in all the heat plus watering a lot. My water bill is actually bigger than my electric bill. Did you nick your seed? And, are they outside? Deb, tell me something about the co-op. I've read about them but they were going on before I joined. Thanks for sharing your pictures, Dee.

Judy

Judy, I nicked half of each lot & soaked them all in warm water overnight. Yes, they're sitting outside now, it's so warm here. Wasn't sure which way to go so I experimented some. I'll let you know what if anything happens. I know what you mean about watering so much, but unless you have a drip system of some sort set up, I don't see any other choice.

The co-ops are a good way to get some plants at a lower than normal retail price. I've had good & bad experiences but with all the changes coming about I'm not sure what to expect. I hope it's all good though! There should be another hibiscus co-op come Feb or March with Hypnotic Blooms, at least I hope so. We had a choice of 25 different cultivars at good prices. Check it out when they start up again. Dmail/email me if you want more info.
deb

Yes Judy, there are some great local nurseries that have a bunch of interesting plants and most are in bloom at the moment. The problem is figuring out how to limit my purchases. :-)

Check out the plant files link below to see how the acetosellas look in bloom. That might jog your memory about why you bought your plant http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2112/

As far as germinating those hardy hib seeds, I soaked mine in hydrogen peroxide after nicking them. Then I started them in seedling mix on a heat mat. I had pretty good success doing that.

d

Thanks for the advice on the seed, Dee. Did you use water with the Hydrogen peroxide? My Hib with funny leaf pattern has all green leaves. I hope to get one with variegated foliage as they are pretty even without blooms. Especially liked your Haight Ashbury plant with the pink tones. Do you have to put yours in a GH in the winter?

I'll dmail you Deb later tonight about the co-op. Noticed Robert had some beautiful desirable CVs & he is Hypnotic Blooms isn't he? Or is it Hypnotic Hibiscus? I'm learning so correct me if I get it wrong.

Thanks to both,
Judy

Judy,

I just bought the plant and I don't own a GH so this winter will be interesting :-). I'm sure it will need to be babied like my other hibiscus. I purchased my 4 inch pot for $6 + tax locally. If you're interested, I can go see if they have any more for sale and I can mail one to you. Send me a dmail.

d

Hey Dee, are those hardy or tropical hib, you gathered a nice trio there, love the coloration they got, all mien came from tropical hibs seeds that I had cross pollinated last year, when they started to sprout I noticed they were one or two seedling that looked different from the other but they are from the tropical hibs I planted, I was thinking they were some kind of mutation that occurred when I cross pollinated the tropical hibs I used, can't wait to see what the bloom will look like.

Wilfred

Hey Dee. I got one of the Hibs that looks like yours at Lowe's & they said Hardy on the plant information sign. I will take a picture tomorrow & post it here. It was very wilted so I set it down outside & gave it a good drink & went back later & gave it another drink as it drained right out of the pot. It looks just like the link you provided for acetosellas. Now I'm throughly confused....hardy....not hardy??? A little information can be a dangerous thing! :-) I'm like Miss Scarlett, I'll worry about that tomorrow. Need to do some more research.

Judy

dee, I'd like some cuttings, when they're ready for a trim, think of me!

Cool and if you got it at Lowe's it was probably cheaper than where I got mine :-). Good job!

According to the tag that came with mine, the plants are hardy to 25 degrees. Not what I would call a tropical but then again I think 'moscheutos' when I think hardy...maybe Liz knows...ecrane3 are you out there? We need an expert :-)

Deb...always!

Judy, check out this link...some folks in Texas grow 'Maple Sugar'; maybe they can help you

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/140625/

Hey Dee & Deb. This is what I got at Lowe's. I read the links you sent Dee & appreciate your offer to send me the Hib. Been wondering how in the heck I can get everything in the GH already & saying, "yes....no....yes, no, etc." ever since I read that. Thank you so very much for the offer. I'm still trying to talk myself into "just one more." I do not have good luck with Hibs in the house. Maybe because of the gas heat???? Killed them 2 yrs in a row before I quit that. Yesterday evening when I went to buy Perlite I just took a stroll around Lowes & found this "Hardy???" & said to myself, "outside plant." Think it is going to be like my "Painted Lady" I bought there. Don't believe it is an outside plant for my zone 8a. Any way, it was less than you paid but it looked like death warmed over & has had branches cut out, etc. Actually thought it would give up the ghost on the way home it was so pitiful. Looks sooooo much better this morning. Which brings me to you, Deb. I will be glad to root you a cutting as there is plenty to take cuttings from. I'm beginning to think this is another 'type' Hib. I keep going back & reading your links, Dee & I'm going to treat it as a tropical for now. May see if I can get a cutting planted out side & see where that goes. Will let ya'll know. What zone are you in, Dee?

Judy

I'm in 9b-10a. Mine will be in a pot and treated like the rest of my potted hibs.

Looks like you got yourself another Lowe's find! The plant is huge compared to mine, congratulations :-). If you look for Haight Ashbury hibiscus in Plant Files you will find that there are a couple of vendors who are selling it; just in case you decide you can't live without it :-)

Just noticed your zone, Dee. How do you put it with your name? Will your Hibs live outside?

Judy

This is my first year with most of my hibs. Last year I overwintered the ones in pots under a tarp on my covered patio. I will rig something new up this winter for the ever expanding collection.

Regarding your zone, go to the My Tools menu, select Preferences, select Your location. On this screen, there is a field for you to select your zone. It will show up automatically if it is populated. I just changed mine from 10a to 9b.

This message was edited Aug 20, 2009 10:20 AM

Thanks, Dee. I'm going to root or try to root you a plant off this one I got last night. After looking at your pictures I don't think mine matches any of your 3. Sending you a dmail now.

Judy

Dee, I keep looking at your Haight Ashbury & thinking I know it from some where. I've got the hibiscus Cooperi, which kind of resembles the leaves. I love the color variation, adds great interest. Let me know guys if you want me to save any Cooperi for you, dee I think it's hardy in your zone.

I am not an expert but do grow the Haight Ashbury and the Red Shield, in ground here in east Texas. The red shield is neat in that it looks similar to a Bloodgood Jap. Maple from a distance. The HA has nice colors in it. Mine usually do not bloom until fall or a bit cooler temps. These are not hardy in my zone but easy to root and keep over the winter. I have had success with rooting in both water and soil with root tone. The red shield reseeded for me so was able to pot up several of the babies in late spring. These grow fast but require lots of water and protection from afternoon Texas sun/heat.
Hope this helps but is just my experience with them.
D

DdeTex is your name 'Dee'? Or maybe 'Dede'? Just wondering as there seems to be a few of us out here... :-)

dee

David D. east Texas
Here is the red shield next to the Haight Ashbury. HA has the var.leaves. Neither are hardy in my zone.
DD

Maybe a better view of the HA.

Thanks David, nice to meet you. So these are plants you overwintered or are they new and this is a season's growth?

Nice to meet you dee.
These are both plants grown from cuttings or seeds and this is one years, spring to now, growth. The red shield grows very fast and can get large in one season. I will try to post photos of the blooms later in fall when cool. I have not seen the HA bloom but think it is similar to the red shield.

Thanks David for your helpful info. We are in the same zone so I will do as you have done. So much for Lowe's Hardy Hib sign!!! Your plants look great David. Will you post pictures when they bloom. From one of the links Dee sent it looked like the blooms were up & down the stems kind of like hollyhocks. ??? I'm really just learning about Hibs & appreciate everyone being so helpful. Thanks for sharing your pictures.

Judy

loved that last picture David, now I'll have to try to get those, I love the contrast from the stems and leaves as you have it pictured. ;-) Curious if you pinched them, would they get bushier? Or have you pinched them already?