Glad you changed your mind, Christina =) I remember that you guessed around Midsummer at I thought that was sooooo far away. I have decided that they will open up on Saturday morning so I can take photos of the "opening process" =))
Will my imperialis make it this time??
This is going to be one very long week for you Lotta!
I can't wait to see those blooms - the buds are gorgeous in their own way too.
Waiting,
Ann
I REALLY think this thread needs an update, Lotta! :-))
Thanks, Christina *LOL*
Yes, this morning my imperialis finally decided that it was the right time! I can't stop looking at it. I'm gonna be late for work, but who cares today....??? (My boss probably...)
OMG Lotta, that is just gorgeous. That is one I have never got a bloom from, so now *I* am jealous!!
Marcy
PS: Your picture taking skills are great also. Wish I knew how to get close ups like that.
Wow, they're absolutely gorgeous blooms Lotta. And I agree with Marcy....your close-up pictures are fabulous.
Sandy
Thank you!!
That photo, Lotta, is probably one of the best of H. imperialis I have seen....or anyother big flowered hoya. GREAT perspective!!! - You must be getting lessons from MyHoyas!!!!
And congratulations on your blooms - they are great!!!
This was well worth the wait, Lotta!!!
What a glorious bloom and a superb picture. Will you be so kind as to provide us with another when all the blooms are open?
Congratulations!!!
Ann
Thank you AlohaHoya, you almost make me blush...=)
Yes Christina/MyHoyas is a marvellous mentor and inspiration source! A very good-hearted and helpful person. She has taught me a lot!
And thanks Ann, you can be sure of that I will take more pictures...=))
This message was edited Jun 16, 2006 6:16 PM
I ditto all that, Lotta - - great picture, beautiful flowers....***WOW***!
thanks for sharing!
Ditto and ditto!!
Yeah Lotta! I wouldn't want to go to work either.
Congratulations Lotta. It's Gorgeous. Great picture too.
Patti
What is "blasting"?
Holy cow Lotta, they're so beautiful!! Congratulations!!! And I agree, your picture taking skills are amazing. Very lovely shot.
pdoyle23323, blasting is when the flowers fall off before they're ready to open. A truly heartbreaking experience when one has waited so long to see them appear.
Christine
My H. cinnimomofolia buds blasted yesterday. :-(
I coulda cried. Then I got my box from Carol & all was well again.
Question: Is it normal for cinnimomofloia to loose the whole peduncle when it blasts? Mine did. Nothing left there to hope for more buds. :-(
Marcy
what would cause the to blast? I have a hoya that is blooming now and I sure do not wish this to happen.
Lotta your bloom is just beautiful. Well worth the wait. Oh I hope I get a bloom on this one. Can't wait to see it all the way open..
pdoyale, there are many reasons for bud blast - soil gets too dry, a cold draft, sudden change in environment, or just because the plant felt like it. The best thing is to keep an eye on the moisture level of the soil - don't let it get too dry (but don't drown it either); try to keep from moving the plant around your house while it is budding because it is used to the microclimate it is in and a change can cause the buds to blast, etc. In other words, do not allow extreme changes to take place in the plants culture and climate while it is in the blooming process & it should do just fine.
Ann
Thanks MsKitty
Now all 7 flowers are open! Unfortunately they opened up during nighttime so I didn't get the picture I wanted while they were opening. They are so big! I've read that they should smell but I can hardly notice any fragrance at all. But I'm pleased with them anyway...=)
Lotta, I am in awe.
Those blooms are stunning! I hope mine will be like that someday.
By the way, I was scrolling up toward the top and I re-looked at the photo of the whole plant http://davesgarden.com/forums/fp.php?pid=2315351 and I just wanted to say I am just jealous. The whole plant is glorious - it's like a wild woman (plus the kitty is too darned cute).
Awesome, Lotta. Just awesome.
Ann
Lotta...your recent photo is awesome!!! a classic! It shows the bloom from all angles...beautifully 'laidout' and really well focused. Good Show!!!!
And congrats on your blooms...they are lovely.
I agree with Ann about bloom blasting...but I carry it further: if the plant has grown dry and suddenly you grow it wet...or whatever CHANGE to make it undergo, allhave the capacity to blast the blooms. The plant decides...HA..You think you are in control of this? NO WAY!!! As much as we love them...they are touchy little primadonnas!!!!!
Oh, but the photos are missing one important item - cat hair!
I know you have a cat, so where are all of the fine little hairs that stick to the plants that you don't see until after you have taken the picture???
Smiles,
Ann
Thank you, Carol!! Makes me glad and proud that you like my picture!
Ann, the flowers are so fresh yet. Tomorrow there will probably be cat's hair on them... You should see the leaves =) Speaking of the plant looking like "a wild woman"...you should see me clamber and crawl in the window to be able to take the pictures....*lol* THERE you have a wild woman, haha....=)The flowers are on the "backside" of the plant towards the window, and also rather high up. So I have to get in BETWEEN the plant and the windowpane with the camera OR open the window and stretch out the camera...and I live on the 5th floor... My neighbours will probably call the police or the phychiatric clinic soon..=))
/Lotta
Oh, and speaking of blasting buds. A LOT of my buds on imperialis has blasted. This time I watered it a lot, really a lot, more than before. The last month I have given it water every morning. I have waterad so much that water has trickled out and there has been some water on the plate under the pot, so the plant could "drink" during the day. Also, I have learned that we don't have much calcium in our water where I live, so I will have to add limestone into the soil. I didn't want to start messing with the plant now, so so far I have only added limestone by putting some limestone in the water a couple of times.
Gee, I have always thought that as was fairly good at English, but I find it quite hard to explain what I mean sometimes...Hope you get what I mean anyhow...=)
Your english is perfect, Lotta. Thank you so much for that information about imperialis buds and water!!!
Meanwhile, I am laughing at what your neighbors must have seen should they have looked out their windows while you were taking your pictures. Brilliant! Hey, it was so worth it - what a glorious photo.
Still giggling,
Ann
I am beginning to think that if conditions are CHANGED...the blooms run the risk of blasting... By changed, I mean, drier than usual, drafts, something like that. I know that when forming buds, the plant is probably using alot of energy and not letting it get dry is important... Then again...it could be the time of the week/month/lunar cycle...whatever chokes its' chicken!!!
Carol