Fancy Hib. question

You guys and gals that grow these beauties and post photos, keep it up, very enjoyable.
Wondering if all of you are rich when I look at the cost of them. They are all so pretty but a bit expensive to get many.
Do these come from seeds, cuttings or all purchased ? Also do many have to be grafted or can they grow well on their own root stock ?
Just wondering as I enjoy them and would like to give them a try. I have some but not the fancy ones. The cajun ones are maybe my favorite.

Hey DdeTex,

They are all done from cuttings either grafted or on their own roots. Seed pods will never give you the same plant because they are hybrids. Some cultivars grow well on their own roots but others need a stronger root base so they are grafted. Usually with a Pride of Hankins rootstock. Hope this helps.

Robert

By the way how is Jacksonville nowdays? I lived there from 1991 to 1994 and loved it. Beautiful Country!!!

Thanks
I have a garden guy from Houston in their hibiscus club. He goes to all of the shows. Also have a big Pride of Hankins, may try to get some good wood and graft that baby. Is spring the best time to do it ?
Would also try to root some if anyone is trimming theirs back for the winter. wink, wink !!!
DD

Small world. J'ville is still small town but changed a good bit with the greenhouses and the Hispanic population growing so fast. I came here in about 91 but have not escaped. Really like it here. Retired from the school and live near Love's Lookout. Just play with the flowers now. Built a small GH so try to root every thing to sell at the Master Gardeners spring and fall deal.
Thanks for the info.
David

DD, if you are not in too much of a hurry the American Hibiscus Society distributes seeds for free. http://americanhibiscus.org/aboutahs.htm

If you look at some of Kyle's (Eclipse) recent threads with pictures of his new seedlings you will see how outstanding some of them are.

Space City Chapter AHS is having a grafting seminar or party tomorrow in laporte. I will be there. I usually grow from my own roots but am going to do both now. Too many beauties to pass up!!!

Ardesia-I would love to give them a try. Would be fun to see what you get. However, how long until you get to see the results? I am not in a hurry but is it years till bloom ?
Pizonne- You must know Rick. He is the Houston guy that has traded things with me. Wish I could make it but have other things going.
Remember this o' Indian if there is wood left over.

DD
Think I better start with rooting as I have done that. Will try seeds and then progress to grafting when the real bug bits me.

Soon you'll be addicted like the rest of us! And I have a feeling most of us aren't any richer than you--we just choose hibiscus over food! I buy all mine in 6" to 1 gal size typically, I've tried buying liners which were smaller and cheaper but haven't had good luck getting them to survive, so given my success rate with them, it's actually cheaper to just buy a 1 gal plant rather than buying 6 liners to get 1 of them to make it!

I am definitely not rich, and have to side with Liz - who needs groceries and utilities when you can buy hibiscus instead???

Seriously, the way I figure it is that I don't spend much money on traditional "girly" things like clothes, shoes & stuff, and I'm neither a smoker nor a drinker. At least this is MY rationalization, lol ;-) When my family forces me into hibiscus annonymous, this will be my story, and I'm sticking to it! Plants are my one guilty pleasure :-)

karen

It's alot cheaper than professional therapy with the same effects. Who needs Prozac!!! We have Hibiscus for our horrible days!!!LOL

I get most of mine off of sale racks at HD or Lowes. I did treat myself to the AHS show in Bellaire last June and tried to buy them out.

Anne

Hi Anne,

I was there. I did the same

Well between sister pmaggs and I we thought we did some damage. But most likely only to our pocketbooks, lol.

DD, Kyle can get seedlings blooming in less than a year but he is a pro at it. You have a GH so perhaps you can match his success.

Growing from seed isn't hard. I started seed last fall and had blooms by mid summer. This one is a seedling from the American Hibiscus Society.

Maggie x Surfrider

I will have to try growing some from seed but also would like to root some. Guess I have had good luck with that method so more comfortable doing it. Now to find some good wood. Maybe someone will do like I do and prune heavy prior to going into the GH.
Thanks to all for the info.
DD