The first three capsules from Morning Glory (x) Hot Mustard matured in 28 days (1 capsule) and 30 days (2 capsules). This is abnormally quick for S.E. Qld., although maturity time in the tropics is about 30 to 35 days. The capsules began to split open when at the yellow stage and one was still green but fully opened during the course of that one hot day.

  Normal maturity time for capsules is 40 to 90 days or more, especially the April-May pollinations that may mature as late as August. It is probably a survival strategy of the plant to retain the capsules until favorable germinating conditions arrive in the spring. Sometimes the base of the style can rot leaving a pin hole into the tip of long term capsules. When this happens seed may rot or germinate in the capsule or small insects may gain entry. The breeder could consider harvesting the long term green capsules to save the seed.

  Morning Glory is an unusual Hibiscus bloom in that the style remains attached to the capsule after the bloom has withered and fallen away. It may turn green and remain attached to the capsule during its development. Also, the stigma pads in the upright tubular buds are quite visible and accessible one full day before opening. Using a fine artists' brush it is possible to pollinate this variety on the day before opening.

  It was intended to use Pink Radiance as a pollen parent due to its good attributes and abundance of pollen which was dehiscing by 7:30 AM in late February. At this time it was noted that superfine silk-like threads come away from the antlers when picking up pollen with a fine brush. The pollen had germinated prior to dehiscing and the bare visible threads were in fact the pollen tubes. Some were 3 cm long at this time indicating just how quickly a grain of pollen could grow down the style to effect fertilization.

Sexual Reproduction - Flower Production: In order to survive in the wild Hibiscus have had to reproduce sexually. Sexual reproduction results in seeds, which carry genetic traits into the next generation. Variations come about through the different recombinations of chromosomes and genes during the union of gametes. This occurs when the zygote is formed. These variations, no matter how slight, may adapt a species to conditions in a changing environment. Therefore, we will note the variations of Hibiscus in different localities throughout the Indo-Pacific.

  Flowers are specialized for the single purpose of sexual reproduction starting the development that leads to the formation of fruit and seed. Hibiscus flowers are usually large and colorful, but the petals that we admire are not essential parts of the flower. Flowers grow from the flower stalk or pedicel and are sup-ported by the recap-tacle. The outer ring of floral parts are known as the calyx, which protects the rest of the flower in the bud stage and eventually the ova-ry should it develop into a seed-bearing capsule. Inside the ca-lyx, the bud is made up of the corolla con-sisting of 5 petals in a single bloom. In the center of the bloom there are usually two kinds of essential parts directly involved with reproduction. The male part is the stamen made up of the fila-ment with a knobby sac at the end called an anther. The female parts are collectively known as the pistil consisting of 5 stigma pads, the style and ovary. In Hibiscus, the ovules are attached to an axis running through the center of the ovary. (Upper diagram: Parts of a Hibiscus Bloom, Geoff Harvey © 2001.)

  Most writers consider that the pollen grain germinates on the sticky stigma surface and that the stigma pads may only remain receptive for a limited period depending upon weather conditions. I have looked at the style under magnification and noted that it is hollow therefore the pollen grain grows through the stigma pad and down through the hollow to reach an ovule within the ovary.

  It has been reported that some success at increasing the frequency of successful crosses has been attributed to applying various sugar solutions to the stigma surface prior to pollination. The object was to increase the nutrients available to the pollen grain and thus enhance its growth down the style in order to reach the ovules. This was tried at the rate of 10% in an atomizer prior to and after pollination. No increase in seed set was noted, but the sugar attracted unwanted ants and other insects. A change was made to a weak solution of foliar fertilizer plus a wetting agent and so far a positive result is apparent. When more plants and blooms are available an accurate measurement will be made. The sugar should work as it has been trialed successfully. The wetting agent is perhaps preventing the stigma pad from drying out due to sun and wind. Move pots into shady protected localities. And lightly sprinkle if temperature is rising. Blooms on plants in the ground may be tied down to shade them from the sun. Once again use the sprinkler if the morning is hot and dry.

  Under normal plant breeding procedure the antlers on the capsule parent would be emasculated with a small pair of scissors to prevent any chance of self-pollination. The petals would be trimmed back and a small plastic cellophane or paper bag fastened over the bloom. This may hold the humidity in and protect from direct sunlight thus preventing the stigma pads from drying out. The main reason though is to eliminate the possibility of foreign pollen reaching the stigmas whilst they are still in the receptive stage.

  Abscission of the developing 'capsule' can be a major problem as mentioned earlier. A smear of 3% indolebutyric acid (IBA) mixed with lanolin or petroleum jelly in equal proportions can be applied to the abscission layer prior to or at the time of pollination. IBA is the normal rooting hormone that we use for Hibiscus cuttings. This certainly does work and will prevent the capsule from dropping. Of course it does not increase fertilization or set seed.

  If a treated capsule shrivels whilst remaining on the bush we will know that fertilization was unsuccessful. A ripening capsule should be watched to prevent insect damage and accidental loss. It may be necessary to trim the calyx if aphids appear and to get better insecticide coverage.

  Normally, the wanted male and female blooms would need to open on the same day. Pollen can be placed on the female stigma pads one day in advance of opening if the buds are trimmed or forced open. Pollen can be kept for use on the day after dehiscing if kept in a cool dry low light place. According to American hybridizers pollen in a sealed container has been kept refrigerated and used successfully after several days.

Geographical Considerations

  The origin of H. rosa-sinensis is undoubtedly tropical, be it the Malabar Coast of India about 10 to 12 degrees north or Cochin-China 10 to 15 degrees north. H. schizopetalus and H. acetosella (left photo below) come the from tropical east coast of Africa. It is these species, forms and hybrids that flourish throughout the tropics notably Fiji 15 to 20 degrees south, where some species may have developed. The Hawaiian species e.g. H. arnottianus below have contributed considerably to our many horticultural varieties. In Hawaii they are found in their natural habitat at some altitude in cool environments, 20 to 25 degrees north. Hibiscus arnottianus (right photo inset, below) grows to perfection in Sydney and Perth climatic conditions at 34 degrees south and tend to struggle in Brisbane at 27 degrees south. The Mauritius and Madagascar species e.g. H. lilliflorus come from 20 degrees south and also share in the makeup of our modern hybrids. Coastal Sydney grows hybrid Hibiscus very well at 34 degrees south. The leading Hibiscus authority, Mr. Les Beers, considers our modern hybrids to be better suited to the cooler climates rather than the tropics.

  In March of 2001 the following hibiscus cultivars were noted at Narrubri in New South Wales which is 30 degrees south and well inland on the western plains of Australia: Ruby Rose, Cuban Variety (right photo inset, below) Andersonii, Snow Queen and an unidentified double red, They were all large specimens obviously several years old and full of bloom.

  During the long hot summer periods on the Sunshine Coast (100 kilometers north of Brisbane), the strong H. rosa-sinensis forms and H. schizopetalus influence outperforms the hybrids. The hybrids come into their own after the heat of summer. The hybridizing implications are the need to develop Hibiscus for our particular locality. For example, in Cairns at 17 degrees south we would look at different parentage than in Sydney at 34 degrees south. The most outstanding Hibiscus garden that I have observed was a few hundred meters from the sea at Marcoola on the Sunshine Coast. This was Allan McMullen's garden where perhaps the cooling breeze and nutrients from the sea were beneficial to the Hibiscus.

[To Be Continued In Hibiscus International No. 20:
Part 6 - The Mechanics of Hybridizing]

  Nearly a year and a half ago, I attended the Sunrise Chapter of the Ameri-can Hibiscus Society show held at the Mounts Botanical Gardens located in West Palm Beach, Florida. At the time, I was whisked away by Wally Neef and seated with Will Gaudet to clerk for the judges at a table. There were many people working to make the show a success. And succeed, they did. I was shown by Bonnie Orpi from my Chapter, who Gary and Donna Schnei-der were. Names I had heard, but I had never met the couple. It would be almost two years before I got the chance again.

  I attended the 2002 National American Hibiscus Society with several goals in mind. One being, that I would meet the Schneiders. I took the opportunity, by introducing myself to them and asking for an interview. My interview would have to wait for them to pick up a shipment of orchids from World of Orchids in Orlando (Upper left photo: Gary Schneider (left) with Dick Johnson).

  Gary and Donna Schneider got started in hibiscus when they drove down Highway 41 in Punta Gorda, Florida for a show. At this show, they met Harry Goulding and Carl Powell.

  When they saw the flowers that were being grown, the Schneiders made a wish list of what they wanted. The hybridizers did not have any available so they bought two garden varieties instead. The first hybrid hibiscus they bought was Big Apple. The Schneiders joined the Harry Goulding Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society in 1983. Shortly after, they started assembling their collection of hybrids and exhibiting their blooms. Gary and Donna married in 1985. They met on a blind date and the rest is now history. In 1994, they went commercial and now grow 700 varieties. If you ask Gary what his favorite flower is, he will reply that he "likes them all". In the past, they have lost many plants due to irrigation problems but they finally have this problem under control.

  The couple started hybridizing in 1996 and soon with a "field of seedlings" with the help of Harry Goulding and Carl Powell, who told them which plants set seeds. Some of their named varieties are Melon Ball (which placed 4th in the 2002 HOTY competition), Volcano (their first attempt), Lovely Lil, Hot Lil, Mango Madness, Crantastic, Xena, Swan Dance, Thida, Calypso Rhythm, Rose Maui, Peek-A-Boo, Jessica, Fido, Surf's Song, Melonmania, and Fluffer Nutter.

  Gary has held the position of National Director and Show Director. His original occupation was historical restoration and custom woodworking. He worked on making large catamarans but this only side tracked him from his love of the Queen of the Tropics. The couple lives in Bokeelia, Florida and run Pine Island Tropicals.

Flying high in a magic carpet, the Mysterious Flower Genie rode the heat waves from a mountain filled with molten lava. Out of the heat and steam far below she spied something red and yellow glowing at the edge of the crater.   The Mysterious Flower Genie flew lower for a closer look and discovered a gem of many colors that had avoided the heat that seared everything in sight. The lovely gem was large and beautiful. The Genie plucked it from the edge of doom and brought it home to live in her Enchanted Garden. From the chronicles of the Mysterious Flower Genie from the peninsula of Flowers - Volcano.

  Let me begin by first providing my perspective on hybridizing globally and ending with my specific thoughts.

  In general, I see two basic hybridizing trends in the world today:One followed by mass producers of hibiscus and one by smaller operations. For the mass producer (those operations that produce a half million or more of the same variety) the expediency of production and the market they address are the determining factors that guide their hybridizing.

  Hybrids must first and foremost, grow on their own root, a pinch must result in multiple branches (not just 2 or 3), they must reach blooming size in minimum sized pots in a minimum amount of time, they must be compact plants with floriferous upward facing blooms (Left photo: Arcturus (x) Georgia's Pearl Seedling - Richard Johnson © 2002) and they must ship well. These hybridizers produce blooms for the spontaneous market, not necessarily the hibis-cus enthusiasts, and as a consequence are in competition with petunias, gerberas, chrysanthemums, etc. - essentially all the pot plants.

  Their market research tells them that the vast majority of buyers want reds (I believe it is about 60%), yellows are second (I believe about 30%) so that leaves only 10% for diverse. Accordingly, the majority of varieties that go through this selection process are small flowered, and by the standards of most of the hibiscus society produced hibiscus enthusiasts, are rather ordinary blooms.

  Of course, to accentuate this goal, such commercial growers almost without exception treat their plants with growth regula-tors.The rest of the propagators essentially try to provide the latest and greatest of the show winning blooms aimed at a mixed market of avid gardeners and hibiscus en-thusiasts (Right photo: Cheo (x) Lady Adele Seedling - Richard Johnson © 2002).

  To be competitive they are often more willing to go through extra efforts to produce such plants, meaning the converse of the above, i.e., plants do not have to be grown on their own roots and they may even prefer to graft their plants believing it provides a superior product.

  They don't mind multiple pinching to produce an acceptable bush and are less concerned with the time it takes to produce the finished product or the shipping requirements. They believe that the quality of the product, with emphasize more on the bloom than the bush - although the later is also very important, will better meet the demands of their market (Left photo: Bonnie B (x) Raspberry Swirl Seedling - Richard Johnson © 2002).

  Some will be wholesalers doing part of the above, some will be finishers growing the wholesale product to perfection and some will do both. Some hybridize themselves or have done some hybridizing but they often find the demands of their operations take precedence. Many are finding that it is good practice to associate with a hybridizer or several, so that they can offer new and somewhat exclusive offerings to their clientele. (Left photo: Amy Lynn (x) Janys Seedling - Richard Johnson © 2002).

  Hence, the creation of the latest and greatest varieties falls on the non mass oriented hybridizer many of which are hobbyists. They are to a degree the driving force which makes hibiscus more and more appealing as the public becomes aware of the diversity of the really stupendous varieties that exist. These people essentially hy-bridize flowers, while the mass commercial operations basic-ally hybridize bushes Some hy-bridizers satisfy the needs of both markets providing varie-ties for the mass market producer and spinning some of the results off to the more specialized hibiscus fancier market. Hence, as a hybridizer, one has to consider what market they are aiming at, and if there is no commercial interest, personal preferences become important (Upper left photo: Critical Mass (x) Coral Passion Seedling - Richard Johnson © 2002. Upper right photo: Ed Flory (x) Oliver Seedling - Richard Johnson © 2002).

  The guiding principle of hybridizing in general recommends starting with plants that have a maximum number of desirable qualities and crossing only those types. This assures a greater number of progeny with the desired characteristics. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis does provide a somewhat greater or different challenge in that the gene pool is so very diverse, that results are much less predictable than is the case of many plant varieties.

  Accordingly, strictly following the above basic principle obviates the great potential of bringing together the exceptional strong points of otherwise flawed varieties. (Upper left photo: Fiesta (x) Jazz Seedling - Richard Johnson © 2002. Upper right photo: Rainbow Christie (x) Jazz Seedling - Richard Johnson © 2002).

  MARVELLOUS MALLOWS is compiled by Colleen Keena from Queensland, Australia, Kristin Yanker-Hansen from California, USA and Marcos Capelini from São Paulo, Brazil. Mallows refer to members of the Malvaceae Family. Note: The "W" references in the text refer to material on the web ("W") listed in the "References" section. The "P" references in the text refer to print material listed in the "References" section.

1. INTRODUCTION TO A BIRD-FRIENDLY HIBISCUS GARDEN

  Why would those with a passion for growing hibiscus and hibiscus family plants want to consider attracting birds to their garden? The answer is sim-ple: birds are really very efficient aids to natural pest control (P1).

  Insects may cause serious damage to garden plants and we are all familiar with the ravages of aphids, caterpillars and scale. Attracting birds into the garden may not completely eliminate these pests but will certainly reduce their effect and allow the gardener to keep spray applications to a minimum. (P2)

  In Australia, insects form part of the diet of all native birds (P1) and insects also form a major part of the diet of many birds and in some species make up their entire fare. Insectivorous birds generally have small, weak beaks and large gapes (fleshy corners of the mouth) to enable them to catch insects while in flight (P3). Birds such as robins, silver-eyes, wrens and a number of other quite common birds are primarily insect-eaters and feed on a wide variety of garden creatures, including pests such as aphids and scale (P2).

  Birds such as honeyeaters are essentially nectar eaters, however they supplement their diet with insects, particularly at nesting time when their need for protein is highest. They also feed insects to their young to accelerate their growth rate. The smaller honeyeaters eagerly devour many of the tiny insects within the garden, while larger honeyeaters prefer to feed on larger creatures such as beetles, moths and cicadas.
Even birds which are mainly seed eat-ers, such as finches, enjoy the occasional insect and pardalotes are especially fond of scale insects (P2). Birds such as butcher-birds, kooka-burras and magpies seek out any grubs, caterpillars and snails crawling on trees and shrubs or at ground level (P1).

  Visitors to Hawaii and discriminating kamaainas almost without exception agree that the Hibiscus is the most satisfactory and perhaps most generally admired of all our flowering shrubs. The soil and climatic conditions seem especially favorable to its growth, and there seems to be an almost complete immunity from disease. As a result it has been widely used as an ornamental garden shrub and hedge plant, but it has not yet had the extensive planting its' beauty and its utility deserves. An educational campaign is necessary to focus appreciative attention upon perhaps the most valuable asset of Honolulu Beautiful.

  There is an enthusiastic group of men and women in Hawaii who have a full appreciation of this plant, and it is hoped through them that such an educational campaign may be promoted and furthered.

  A hibiscus club has already been formed to promote a better knowledge of the methods of growing hibiscus and producing new varieties, and it is to be hoped that a large membership will result in the production of a great many desirable flowers, and an ultimate wide distribution and planting throughout the city. Such extensive plantings would add so materially to the attractiveness and beauty of our city that there is a possibility of Honolulu being as well known through its hibiscus as Japan is through its cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums. Five or ten acres of park are carefully planted with thousands of varieties of beautiful hibiscus, and brought up to a high state of cultivation, would be one of the botanical wonders of the world (sic).

  Speaking of thousands is speaking advisedly, for, from the twenty or thirty varieties introduced, and the native varieties, three or four years production by cross-pollination has increased the number to over a thousand, and many of the new varieties are vastly superior to the original parents.

  The facility with which these flowers can be cross-pollinated has resulted in most wonderful collections in many of the gardens. Here indeed is a most satisfactory and pleasurable outdoor fad, and one which has apparently limitless practical utility and great scientific interest, for there is no other plant which lends itself more readily to a study of heredity in plant life.

  The simplicity of the methods employed is not generally known, and the possibility of the results to be obtained not realized by the average garden worker. We have therefore undertaken to illustrate some of these methods and the results in such a way that interests may be promoted and the work furthered.

  The hibiscus belongs to the mallow family: which includes the Hawaiian hau, the illima, the large group of mallows, the common vegetable okra, the cotton plant and the Roselle or H. sabdariffa. They are all well worth considering as many of the flowers and plants are very beautiful, and especially is this true of the Hawaiian variety known as H. breckenridgei, which has a rich foliage and a very, velvety yellow flower. The Chinese or Rose of Sinensis varieties, ordinarily grown in the gardens of which the brilliant scarlet and pink flowering hedges are examples, are the ones which from their hardiness and wealth of foliage and flowers have attracted the most attention, and have been brought to the highest state of cultivation. It is from these varieties that the great number of new types has been produced.

  It is not generally known that there are many indigenous varieties of single reds, yellows and whites on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii. These native varieties are very handsome and some obtain the size of trees, some being over forty feet high with trunks twelve inches in diameter. The sight of such a tree covered with thousands of fragrant flowers, each six or eight inches in diameter, with a stamen ten inches long, will linger in the memory forever.

  The majority of these native varieties produce seed freely, and thus have been continuously propagated in the Hawaiian forests. These native varieties together with some twenty or thirty varieties which have been introduced have been the materials which the local workers have employed.

  To produce seed, a flower is pollinated by covering the stigmata on the end of the stamen with pollen, either from the same flower - when it is spoken of as being self-pollinated - or from another flower, when it is spoken of as being cross-pollinated. Such plants as are reproduced without variation by self-pollinated seeds are called pure-breeds. Those whose self-pollinated seeds produce plants and flowers showing variation from the original self-pollinated plant and flower are hybrids, mixed-breeds or cross-breeds. It can be safely said that all of the Hawaiian varieties are pure breeds. Of the introduced varieties comparatively few produce seed, and these seeds seldom reproduce these varieties true. They are therefore crossbred flowers, the seeds from which will produce a wide variation in the resulting progeny.

  There is no doubt that hibiscus follow very closely, the laws of heredity as laid down and developed by the Mendelian theory, and it is this fact which makes the hibiscus a valuable plant for the scientific worker. (Mendel published his work in 1866 but it was almost completely ignored until about 1900. This article was published in 1913 - Editor, The Friend). As everyone knows, the colors, shape and sizes of the flowers are quite variable, and they are also single, semi-double, and double.

  With this material so rich in variety it is possible to obtain an almost infinite number of new forms. The single ones vary in color from pure white through the entire range of the spectrum down to dark red with the exception of blues and purples. The numbers of doubles, and their colors, however, are much more limited, the extreme limits of the scale being pure canary yellow, and the dark double red. It is necessary for the worker to well establish in his mind the unit character of the different flowers as to size, color, shape, texture and whether single, double or semi-double, and at all times during the breeding to carry in mind these unit characters.

  The worker should previously determine the characters which are desired and should conduct the breeding in such a way as to produce these characters if possible, not endeavoring, however, to unite too many characters in a single flower. Say that a double flower is desired there are three ways of producing this and possibly four.

  Unfortunately we have but two double flowers which produce seed, and both of these are double red, the one being a small dark red known as the Carnation the other a red flower somewhat larger. Cross-pollinating a single flower on either of these doubles should produce a limited number of doubles, but a much greater number of single flowers.

  Cross-pollinating a double flower on either of these doubles will give more satisfactory results, and a larger number of doubles will be produced, but a certain number of single flowers may be expected. Cross-pollinating a double upon a single flower of a seedling variety will also produce a limited number of doubles. It will be noted above that the crosses resulting from doubles with doubles, and doubles with singles, both produce singles. Should these resulting singles seed, or if the pollen of these singles is fertile upon other singles, a very limited number of the resulting progeny may be double.

  This seems remarkable, but if we recall that the unit or genetic character of doubleness is possessed by these flowers, the resulting doubles in the progeny of these flowers may be explained.

  In regard to changing the form, we have a variety called "Coral" (H. Schizopetalus) which resembles a delicate piece of pink coral and is illustrated at "B" in Figure 1. (We regret that it is impossible to reproduce the pictures from the source of material we have. We have changed the wording a little so that you will understand what Mr. Gartley is referring to in the pictures. - Ed.) Flowers "A" (shows a double) and "C" (shows a fringed single like Dainty or La France) of Figure I are the result of cross-pollinating with "B" (the Coral hibiscus); "A" (the double) resulted from crossing the coral hibiscus on what is known as Red Carnation, and "C" (the fringed single), resulted from crossing Coral on a single hibiscus.

  It will be readily noted that the dark colors of the female parent have been retained, but that both in the double and the single crosses the resulting flowers show a marked fringing of the edges of the petals. It is therefore possible to obtain fringed flowers, both single and double,