Growers/Cultivators Where do the hibiscus rejects go to?

I was just wondering where do the "rejected" hibiscus plants go? I've always heard that growers try out hundreds of hibiscus crosses etc. and only select a few to sell etc. so what do they do with the rejects - do they go to hibiscus heaven, a remote island just for rejected hibbies or sold at a discount to those that don't care about the finest structure, growing habit etc.? :)

Well it depends, sometimes we give the rejects to neighbors & friends or put them on the discount list. On the other hand if someone buys the right to propagate these beauties and choose not to sell or distribute them they are at their disposal. It will cost entirely too much to get these rights back. Sadly enough the growers or nurseries dispose or the beautiful rejects and are never seen again.

Good for the neighbours - but so so sad for the ones that get thrown away - I've never met an ugly hibiscus. It's too bad they don't just offer to sell them - course I figure it would be too much work to deal with but it's a nice thought (like I need any more myself!) lol! Thanks for the reply!

Hi Ivana, If our rejects have pretty flowers but have a bad bush, we sell them until they're sold out with the caveat about the bad bush, but then we don't propagate them any more. If the rejects have plain flowers with a beautiful bush, we use them to hybridize and give new cultivars a better bush. If they have plain flowers but the flowers last for several days, we'll also hybridize with those to work toward longer-lasting blooms. But if they have plain flowers, a bad bush, and short-lasting blooms, alas..... hibiscus heaven usually awaits..... I keep trying to save the poor ugly ducklings, but Charles is very meticulous about keeping undesirable hibiscus from accidentally getting into the hybridizing mixes. Poor babies.... We could at least grow them for lizard food at the zoo, but even the zoo wants pretty hibs......

Cindy

Well it certainly sounds like you do everything to ulitlize the undesirable ones but if it's bad all around - I'm sure it's happier in hibiscus heaven! :)