Problems with Rum Raisen

I have a beautiful hibisbus "Rum Raisen". Its one of the first plants that I planted this year, in a primo spot. Leaves look gorgeous, it has put out probably 15 buds already this year. Problem is...not a SINGLE one has opened! They grow gorgeously, buds get nice and big, and dont even try to open. They sit there for 2 or 3 days and then fall off. Im so frustrated...I have some others starting to bloom, but this one wont even try. Does anyone else have this particular cultivar?

Hi Kathy. Boy I'm glad you mentioned this. I also have had "Rum Raisin" since this past winter. It bloomed just fine in the winter months and only one of many many buds has opened up since around May 1st. The buds open up perhaps two inches and then stop. After a few days the buds fall off the plant. Yes, the growth and foliage is just fine, but not the blooming characteristics. I've been thinking of removing this one from the collection and probably will do so.
Jon

Wow, I can't believe that. Im so glad I posted, I figured I was doing something wrong. Maybe its a winter bloomer. I may move it to a less prominent spot and put something else in its primo spot. Thanks for posting that, Jon.

I'm glad you posted it Kathy. Mine was even inside the pool screening which filters some sun but it still stopped blooming. That's one of the "unkinown" factors that can sometimes come with obtaining a new cultivator. At least the majority of them are generally good because they have trialed to see how they perform. This is the first one I've ever had this problem with. I've decided I'm going to replace mine when I decide to buy some new ones. Oh well, we always live and learn.
Jon

I don't have Rum Raisin but I've had that happen from time to time with other cultivars. Thrips can cause it, so you might check for those, otherwise cultural and environmental conditions can cause it too (for mine, it seems to happen more when the weather's been very hot). With the plants I've seen it with, they've always gone back to blooming normally when the weather cools off a bit. If it's thrips you'll probably have to treat for it, but if it's just being fussy hopefully as soon as you get a change in the weather it'll start behaving better.

Thanks for the information. I'm almost positive its just the cultivator since Kathy and mine are both acting in the same way and our climates are very similar. It's not as likely to be a bug issue since mine has always been in a protected area inside of the screening around the pool. I noticed that one online retailer has a description of the cultivator saying "blooms best in cooler weather". I'm sure you're 100% correct in thinking it will begin to bloom normally again when the weather cools off again (mid to late October down here).

I'm glad to know this ahead of time. Perhaps Rum Raisen is one I'll have to take off my list until you guys figure it out...unless you want to send me yours Jon ;-)

You might have better luck with it--you're closer to the coast than I am so you might not see temps that would bother it very often at all, or if it does get hot it'll go away after a day or two rather than staying that way for months the way it would in Florida. It's usually the 100+ heat waves where I have problems with some of mine, and your average summer temps are almost 10 degrees cooler than mine so I suspect you won't have much trouble. Of course there are plenty of other wonderful cultivars out there, but if you really like that one I think it would be worth a try in your climate.

See Jon, ecrane agrees! Send it to me and save it from the Florida heat! :-)

LOL. Oh great, the Californians are ganging up on me. I should have seen this coming. LOL. It's freezing down here in Ft Lauderdale in the summer compared to those heatwaves in Dublin, CA. The highest temperature ever recorded here in Ft Flowerdale has been 97.

but but but...ecrane is a 1/2 hour drive inland from me...I'm on the peninsula between the SF Bay and the coast (obviously since that is the definition of a peninsula) it is not as hot here :-)

That's for sure. There can easily be a 20-30 degree difference if you just head east 50 or so miles. I would imagine that's always the case in the summer. If I had to guess I would think that October is typically the warmest month on average in Emerald Hills. I've never been to that area so it's just an educated guess.

I'm midway between San Francisco and San Jose so actually it's warmest in July and August but then Mother Nature normally sends in the fog to cool things off a bit. We also don't have the winds that kick up in the afternoons like they do inland. There is a wind farm in the region for a good reason.

I hope it's not a bug getting to your hibs buds before they get to fully bloom.

Wilfred

I have the exact same problem here. Have had 5 on my bush for 4 days now. I kept thinking they have to open. They have been stuck in the same spot. They look like they are opening and never do.Trust me It's not the grower, it's the plant. I snapped them off today. you get tired of being teased!!! This plant did the same thing last year as well. If your lucky enough to have one open on show day consider it a blessing. I love the colors but stopped using it in crosses for fear that trait will pass on to it. Well, that and it does not bloom enough to do anything with. Good Luck to all that do get an abundant amount of blooms from it. Just not happening here either!!!

Robert

Thanks for the info Robert and welcome back. I decided to rid of my "Rum Raisin" because I acquired a couple of new ones. Usually I'll give one away here and there to a friend or neighbor, but I really don't like to give something away that isn't going to do well for them either.
Jon

HI Jon,

I just thought it was my plant. I'm hoping to feel better tomorrow and I'll be doing the same and clean some house or yard . Had to take an IVIG drip yesterday to boost my immune system, it physically knocks me on my rear. Anyway, it's time to clean up to make room for newer varieties and my own seedlings. I have to put almost 300 seedlings in 4" pots. Ought to be fun.Then if they survive and when they get to about 10" I'll move them to gallons. I was going to plant more but I think this is enough for now. Blooms are probably 9 months away. Then If they bloom nicely I cut them and try to root them. Production may be 2 1/2 years away. Kinda gives you that why bother attitude (lol) Anyway back to the topic at hand, Rum Raisin is now toast. LOL

Robert

amorecuore, I'm willing to take it if you don't mien sending it to me, that is if your really going to trash it, I'll pay for the postage and handling, would like to try to find out whats the problem with it and see if I can make it bloom like it should. I like to do some experiment from time to time with plants and no, I'm not Dr. Frankenstein or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide. LOL! I'm just curious sometime.

Wilfred

I hope mine enjoys some heat, because its in the middle of my compost pile of chicken and horse manure. Take THAT you ungrateful non-opening hibiscus! Now to pick to gets the primo spot.....

Sounds like something I would do . . . I'm glad to get this feedback on this cultivar cause I've liked its colors when I've seen pictures of it. Glad to know its not a good grower. It will definitely not go on the want list.

fla_chick. rescue the plant and send it to me...or to Wilfred...you're breaking our hearts!

You can say that again guamsorbit. who know maybe that's all it needed, some horse crap to make it react. anyway, aether one of us is willing to accept the orphan hib.

Wilfred

Oh my. All this Rum Raisin trash talking is cracking me up. I'd send it you you Wilfred but I already trashed it. I was so frustrated with it that I even threw out the box of Raisin Bran also. Theres no sugar plums dancing in my head. They're raisins.
Jon

Oh my! oh my!, I didn't know Kellogg's made hibs in box, if I knew that I've would have gone to the supper market and gotten some for myself.!!!LOL!!!, just joking, good to have a laugh ones in a while.

Wilfred

Are you sure that's not the "toy surprise" from the cracker jack box.

LOL