This is what they should look like!
Neither of these KKH have any seed pods that have ripened either. Not a one!!! They set the pods when the bloom fals off but then the whole thing turns yellow and I pick it off. SO! I have NO seeds from the KK at all.
Can anyone offer an explanation on this? Is it a hybrid? Pollination problems?
What?????
last year I got ONE seed pod between the two of them. Whoopie! But--that is one more than this year!
I am not sure about your seed problems. I do know I have not gotten seeds from my hibiscus or criniums. I think it is a pollinating problem
I don't seem to have alot of bees except in the early spring. Also I talked to the owner of zone 9 in houston about the curling. He says sometimes it happens and he doesn't know why. He said he would like to know also what causes the leaves to curl. They have this happen and no bugs or virus. I assume he tried to find out with out much luck.
Just my opinion but since it is not all over the plant I would think the seeds would be fine.
Did your curling leaf problem on the hibiscus go away?? I'm still having that problem with both of my Rum Runners, and they get ample watering and no other hibbies are acting this way.
I've had a little curling on blooms of a certain hib, but I thought it was from the heat or maybe just that certain hib. But for the bloom to be so deformed or not consistant, and the leaf weirdness, I'm thinking more viral. I would not trade the seeds. I wouldn't plant them, either... sorry Gitagal, but until you get a diagnosis, I'd be very cautious. It there a university near by? You could pose the question to their horticulture department... or call your local county extension office, they can help.
Good ideas, AuntB. My blooms are fine, and not nearly as badly cupping as these. So maybe mine are ok.
Here, Amanda, this is the curling/cupping I've seen on this hib. I'm not concerned at all cause the leaves are fine. I'm concerned for Gitagal because I pitched about 3 or 4 brugs a couple years ago because their leave were cupping up and kind of heaving the wrong way and did look a little shriveled if I remember correctly... They had broad mite. I quarantined them until I figured out what it was, then I pitched them dirt and all into a trash bag, and that was a lot of $$ in dirt, but that's what they told me to do on a garden forum... I could have infected all my brugs. I think this is normal bloom curl for a hib...
AuntB,
The deformed bloom I posted was on my Kopper King Hibiscus, NOT the tall, red, perennial one that had the cupped leaves in the spring.
The KK Hib. never made any seed pods, much to my disappointment. Maybe it is a hybrid?
I have cut the tops of all the branches back on the KK and it has made new buds and is blooming again. This time, everything looks perfect!
Those leaves on the red Hib. stayed cupped all season, nothing further happened on that issue. The plant went on to bloom OK--given all the heat. It has also become a bit crowded in the root, so I think the blooms were not as good as they should have been. This is the one I have a zillion seeds from and was asking the question about.
Just setting things straight.
Gita
K, thanks AuntB - that's what my RRs are doing. Glad to know it's normal!
Thank you.
