Question on Propagating

I've been doing a lot of internet reading on propagating hibiscus not to mention just looking at all the pretty pictures. I don't understand the reason for propagating by grafting. I always thought you would use cuttings/rooting hormone. Seems like some of the stuff I read makes it sound like the grafted hibiscus are sometimes harder to grow and get to bloom. What makes a hibiscus hard to propagate by cutting which would make it prone to need grafting? Can someone explain or tell me if this is true?

If I mail order hibiscus, are there questions I should be asking the seller before I buy certain cultivars. I know some cultivars are more prolific bloomers than others so obviously that would be a big plus. I also read on one of the websites where it said stuff like "slow to bloom." Who would want something that is prone to not bloom??? Also read comments like "great for pot culture" which are some of the ones I'm tempted to try since I'm kinda out of garden space, but still want to try more. Would the "great for pot culture" be a smaller bush size?

The flowers really seem to be addicting. I've always been a coleus addict but now it seems like hibiscus are my new obsession this spring. (Thank you Rita for this new addiction--like my pocketbook really needed a new one. LOL)

Thanks for any info you can provide!

Patty

PS for Rita-- Rj's starting to get the hibiscus bug too--I've been sending him links to hibiscus mail order sites. We'll convert him too. Besides he's second to blame for getting me interested in these ever since he started posting his Pink Lemonade blooms.

Hello Patty,

Most small growers that use grafting get quicker results that by rooting. More than 95% of todays hybrids can be grown on their own roots. Most large scale growers like Hines or Monrovia usually choose those which grow on their own roots easily. Sometimes grafting enhances the appearance of the bush. It is also good to know that in about 5 years look to replace that grafted plant. The sap flow will eventually constrict. Not in all cases but it’s a good rule of thumb. Personally I think you get a fuller bush from own root plants. Just my opinion though.

Pot culture I can only think of 1 thing, Cyclocell. Maybe they spray to stunt the growth. It can take years for the plant to recover from it and the leaves usually appear as if they are closing, curling or shriveling up. Kind of like training a bonsai tree I guess.

Robert

Thanks for the input Robert. Is there a way to tell if a certain cultivar has been grafted without asking the hybridizer?

What do they do to get the hanging pot variety of hibiscus? Are these okay?

Hi Patty,

The hybridizer usually does not know whether it is grafted or not. (unless he is contracted with the grower). Most of these beauties grow on their own roots. Only a select few I know of fail at that. This is usually the only time it needs to be grafted. Some people swear by it. I do not. I'd do it old school and will root any day over grafting but that's just my preference. After IKE we grafted a bunch up because of the possible losses and that was the quickest way to keep some of the cv's, rooting takes more time and we did not have the time. You can tell if a graft has taken in as little as 2 weeks.

When I get out tomorrow I'll take some pics for you or the grafted bases. It may help you recognize it before you purchase the plant.

The only difficult thing about baskets is getting them to weep. Some varieties naturally weep. Others I may tie small fishing weights to the branches to get them to drop some and fill in the blank spots. Eventually they stay that way and grow that way. You have to be sure they get adequate sun as well. At least 4 hours of good or filtered sun is good to produce more blooms.

Hope this helps you some. I'll put you a couple of pics up tomorrow.

Robert

What do you mean by weep? like droop down to a hanging position? Is it more of a training thing than a hybridizing thing to have a hibiscus weep for a hanging basket. I know my friend Rita is looking for suggestions on hanging basket hibiscus. I'll be sure to show her the link to this so she can check it out also. Thanks!

Some of them naturally drape or droop like you said but you can train them to grow how you want them to grow. Like the fishing weights etc. Also, the more tip pinching and pruning you do the more branching you get, thus a much fuller plant or basket. I have a few cv's that are better suited for baskets without training, rather than putting them in pots or ground.

Robert

Grafting sounds interesting. Patty's determined to drag me down the Hibbie hole...!
Sounds like Hanging baskets might be high maintenance...
Hey Patty..did you notice where Robert is from? Nederland...we were just wonder how far Nederland is from Houston?
Rj

oh wow, after seeing that hanging basket picture, it looks worth any effort!

Yeah I finally figured out during all my websurfing for hibiscus websites that he is associated with Hypnotic Blooms--one of the links I sent you. I did a search on Map Quest when I saw that Hypnotic Blooms was located in Nederlands and the brain was already starting to think how Rita and I might need to make another Houston run with a sideline by Nederland to check out the hibiscus, but you know how I am about trying to drive in and around Houston. Don't know if its close enough but would be cool to check it out.

Oh yeah, BTW, Rita already commented tonight that she foresees another hibiscus shopping trip coming up. She says it won't be difficult to talk Kenneth in to it since he's such a fishing fanatic. If they plan another trip to Rockport, you need to come down and go with us--you know you can stay at the house.

Is Wayne going to starting adding tropical hibiscus to his inventory??? Shall I start sending him hibiscus pictures and websites and get him hooked too???

LOL, yes you should re the photos...send him the Nederland site..I'm taking as many with me down that Hibbie hole!
.I don't think we even paid attention and checked for Hibs at JJL the other day..We were pre-occupied with how we we're going to cram his order into the pick up truck...but I did get that pretty pink one at Tree Search last year...don't even know the name of it. I'm growing some cuttings if you want some..I mean duh, it's pink..but I must ask?!

I have fallen in that hole this year... am upping my collection of 2 plants to 8 this week when my order arrives. You have no idea what it took to buy these at a very good price in a co-op.... been selling everything I can to pay for them. .... reminder.. need to get a job... SOON! LOL

I have some seeds I am going to get working on tomorrow.... hibiscus are worse than brugs I am afraid... very addictive!

That is a really pretty pink

Most definately want one. My double pink I got only bloomed once and has no blooms right now. I thought it was a prolific bloomer, but then again its only been in the ground a couple of weeks so we shall see. Patience is not a virtue I can claim.

Welcome to the addiction LL. I've got only three but have been looking to add some of the pretty pink/purple combo's to my "collection". I already mentioned to DH that I know what I want for Mother's Day. LOL

Southwest Fertilizers in Houston has a good granular Hib. fertilizer that works particularly well for plants in the ground.

Have fun ya'll

Yes, and the space city fertilzer for Hibiscus works well on most tropicals, but one plant particularly loves it...Papaya's.
Here's the first lemonade opening Patty.

Yours has more yellow than mine. I want to see a picture when it fully opens.

okay..

The Hib hole is calling. Now just run on over to Robert and you will be deep into the hole. I went down earlier this year and ended up with many beauties. When you see them you will continue to add just one more to your load. Before long you are wondering how to fit it into the truck. If a group goes that a U Haul.
DD
Yes I am an addict.

LOL, I would like to create a phsychedlic hedge of them

Taking a Uhaul plant shopping is not something unheard of with our group of plant shoppers. LOL

ROTFLOL!!! I just had flash back from Another Place in Time with that picture

I would like to one day come to Houston and do your shopping trip. I have been to Rita's and she has some real neat stuff. Better save up prior to that day.
DD

come on down..over..? accross...LOL

What happened to our graphting lesson?