Hibiscus International #5

This issue is full of information to assist you in growing our Queen of the Tropics. If you have been reading all the posts on our web site, you know how important documentation is to the hibiscus hybridizers. Even when researching locations for information, correct documentation can save you a lot of time. Time and good records are important in all aspects of hibiscus work. In our new column “Marvellous Mallows,” you can see the excellence of this documentation at work.

If you check Chris Noble’s registry records, you also find excellence, which serves as a guide for everyone to use. It’s a permanent record that will be of use for all time. If you check one of our previous issues, you find that Dick Johnson has kept impeccable records on his seedlings, and we learn how time-consuming this is. However, the bottom line is to keep those records and keep them accurate. Guesswork cannot enter the picture. It is important, and I can’t stress this enough.

As a genealogical researcher, I am constantly updating mistakes from past efforts. Spelling by sound was done in many early records. Another change could have occurred when records were copied wrong into record books. Whatever the reasons might have been, the important thing is to do your best to improve and preserve in an honest and accurate manner. It’s the only way to go.

Well, we are sort of settling into a routine and trying to finish up several projects which are under way. Even what seems straight forward often in the end isn't as simple as anticipated. Hibiscus International (HI) and the Trimestrial Photo Competition (TPC) are rolling along on semi-automatic. By that I mean they are working as they should, but there are a lot of people behind the scenes getting them to function.

As concerns the TPC, member participation in providing images is fine, but we sometimes wonder why so few actually vote in the polls. My suspicion is that even though many don't vote, they still look at and appreciate the program. If that is the case, the most important measure of success is the number of images contributed, and I would say the turn out is quite favorable.

At to HI, my feeling is that it is turning into a really significant publication, and it is great to see so many people contributing. Gloria, of flower genie fame, has gone reporter and done a fine job of providing information about some of our prominent hibiscus friends. We are now working on methods of making the information accumulated in HI more accessible, but this may be a complicated thing to do. We will keep you posted on that front.

The Hibiscus Archives are under way, and by the time you read this A through E should be uploaded, representing about 1/5 of the material available. If you check the archives and can help correct or fill in the missing information, it would be of great help. This archive will be only as good as we cumulatively can make it. We had hoped to make more rapid progress on this project, as it rates up there with HI in usefulness to our members and visitors to our web site, but we are also working on some other projects which require attention. Hopefully I'll be able to tell you more about these next time.

A new section is under way, that we call Hybridizer's Corner, which will eventually bring together everything relating to this subject but which principally will house the photos of IHS member seedlings. It will either include photos of the parents or links to their photos for comparison. This should become a significant resource for anyone interested in trying to fathom the diversity of these beautiful flowers, from the casual observer to the advanced hybridizer. It should provide great insight for hybridizers as they can truly learn from the experience of others without having to repeat the same crosses to discover the same things others have already learned. It should visually portray trends, which result from certain crosses and for the first time permit any one interested to visually see what comes of certain crosses. In time we hope to have pages for any and all of our IHS members that grow seedlings to first bloom, whether or not you actually made the cross yourself. This is yet another example of our working together and learning new ways to enjoy hibiscus - a different variation of the theme "sharing and caring".

Editorial Note: You will notice that the spelling in some of the copy in “Hibiscus International” is not always the preferred spelling common in the United States, nor is it an error. For this reason, I leave many alone as they are correct in other areas of the world. An example of this is favorite or favourite. As with the following column, marvelous and marvellous are two spellings. In the U.S., it is usually marvelous, but in many countries, it is spelled marvellous. Therefore the spelling you see is the preferred one for the author’s of this format, and it is correct..

(This series is being compiled by Colleen Keena from Queensland, Australia, Kristin Yanker-Hansen from California, USA, and Marcos Capelini from São Paulo, Brazil. We hope you can share your experiences of growing the featured plants so that we can all learn more about growing mallows in varied locations.)

QUESTION: "What is known as 'blue hibiscus' and is grown by IHS members around the world?"

ANSWER: The first in our series of Marvellous Mallows, Alyogyne huegelii, chosen both for its beauty and its ready availability.

NOTES FROM QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA AND CALIFORNIA, USA: The common name is rather misleading. The "blue hibiscus" is neither "blue" nor a "hibiscus". There will undoubtedly be IHS members pleased to note that the blue is really lilac and that forms with purple blooms are available commercially in Australia and in the USA.

The intense purple form in Australia is called "West Coast Gem" and the deep purple form available in USA is "Monterey Bay". White forms are also available in Australia and USA. A pink form can sometimes be obtained from nurseries in Australia.

Although previously known as Hibiscus huegelii, Alyogyne species are no longer included in Hibiscus. Alyogyne can be recognized by the style, which is undivided at the tip. Alyogyne comes from the Latin, alyo, winglike and the Greek, gyne, ovary; huegelii is after Baron von Huegel, a 19th century Austrian botanist.

Growth habit. Plant in foreground is Alyogyne huegelii "West Coast Gem" and the plant behind it is the species

Alyogyne huegelii is an open shrub up to about 2.5 m (6') tall and of almost equal breadth. It is grown mainly for its lilac hibiscus-like flowers.

The plant can produce hundreds of blooms each season. The flowers are 7-10 cm (3- 4") and last 1 - 2 days.

The variable lobed leaves are dull green and the foliage is attractive when bushes are kept compact. The plant is very fast growing and becomes straggly unless pruned regularly.

After the main flowering flush in late spring the shrub can be pruned back quite hard to ensure stronger growth and increase its longevity and flowering life.

With appropriate pruning it can even be maintained as a small compact shrub or trained into a standard.

Alyogyne huegelii comes from sandy to sandy-gravel areas of South Australia and Western Australia and although it is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, it is intolerant of bad drainage. A well-drained sunny spot is ideal although plants will grow in semi-shade. Plants perform best when they receive sunlight for most of the day and have some wind protection as large plants are subject to wind damage.

Alyogyne huegelii is moderately frost tolerant but some protection is required from the heaviest frosts. Experience with growing this plant in California has shown that it can survive short periods of minus 12 degrees centigrade without any permanent damage.

Alyogyne huegelii usually grows well without fertilizer, particularly if well mulched with mulch that breaks down and provides nutrients. However, if a fertilizer is needed, for example when raising seedlings, use of a seaweed extract has been found to be beneficial. Many Australian plants are sensitive to phosphorus as they have developed in nutrient-deficient soils. Alyogyne hakeifolia is least sensitive to phosphorus whereas Alyogyne huegelii is highly sensitive.

Plants grown in well-mulched beds require minimal, if any, supplementary watering once established. When plants are being established, they are watered well at planting, then again in the middle of that first week, then a week later, then a fortnight later, and if needed, then a month later. When established in this way, they should only need supplementary watering under extremely dry conditions. Plants will however take regular watering provided that they are in a well-drained position.

Of course, IHS gardeners who wish to grow "blue hibiscus" and don't have the right growing conditions such as a well drained sunny spot, know how to be able to enjoy such a beautiful plant. The most practical solution is to grow it in a pot and it not only flourishes but even sets seed when grown in 15 cm (6") pots. The other option is grafting. Alyogyne may have a limited life span in the wet summers of the sub-tropics but grafting onto Australian species of hibiscus has enabled grafted plants to perform well over many wet seasons.

So, how do those interested in growing this plant obtain it? As Alyogyne are from the same family as Hibiscus, information on propagation for hibiscus is appropriate for Alyogyne, both for growing from seed or from cuttings (see references below). Propagation can be from seed, which keeps its viability for a number of years. It is helpful to rub the seed against a file or an emery board before planting the seed as this treatment will break through the hard protective coating and allow moisture to penetrate. Germination will be much faster after this treatment. Time of planting seed would depend on where the plant is being grown. In areas with harsh winters, it would be preferable to plant seed in spring. In places with very wet summers and mild winters, seed can be planted in early autumn. Alyogyne may also be grown from cuttings, which strike easily. Cuttings can be half-hardened tip cuttings 7-8 cm (3") long, although soft tip cuttings also do well. Again, the time of taking cuttings would vary according to location. Cuttings taken in spring generally establish well but cuttings can be in early autumn if summers are very wet and winters are not too severe. Suppliers of plants and seed follow.

HIBISCUS INTERNATIONAL RATING:
FEATURE PLANT - Excellent
HARDINESS - Excellent
ONLINE REFERENCES

Propagation from seed:

Propagation from cuttings:

Fertilizing:

Phosphorus-sensitivity:

Australian references:

(gives nurseries that stock plants)

MONROVIA
BAYLANDS NURSERY, CA
PACIFIC TREE FARMS, CA
MYRTLE CREEK, CA
LOGEE'S GREENHOUSES, Conn.
TRANSPACIFIC, OR

SOLLYA NURSERY, BELGIUM
DE ZONNEBLOEM, HOLLAND
ONLINE NURSERIES WITH SEEDS
J.L. Hudson, CA
B & T WORLD SEEDS, FRANCE (send worldwide)

Go to List 15 Australian Natives and Introduced Species

For the last two issues of Hibiscus International, I have taken you by the hand to the land of Oz to meet some of the Wizards who produce some lovely Aussie beauties. After meeting some of these people through e-mails, I thought I would give you a treat.

I happen to live 15 miles down the road from hybridizers of hibiscus and plumeria, and I think you might find it interesting to get to know them. Last August, I joined the American Hibiscus Society, South Dade Chapter, after I joined the International Hibiscus Society. I was lucky to have this option available to me, and I realize now that many of you do not have this luxury.

During my first meeting, I got to meet some of the members and decided to go to the nursery of the Vannoorbeecks. To me, Luc and Carol had the perfect combination of flowers. I happen to love the Queen of the Tropics but also am fascinated by plumeria, or frangipani to some of you. I went down to Florida Colors Nursery because I had been promised a free plant for joining the AHS. Well, when I got there, I saw a large lovely pink double, Bob's Delight. There was no other decision to make. I had to bring that beauty home.

After touring the plumeria grove that day, I decided I would have to go there with more time to smell the flowers and choose some varieties for my enchanted garden. Well, I have been back more times than I can count now and have taken my plumeria pals shopping there and never fail to fall in love with a hibiscus or a plumeria.

Since then I have been a guest at the AHS picnic where I learned that Luc can deep fry a turkey and BBQ a pig Cuban style. But I digress on what I want to do is tell you about Luc and Carol Vannoorbeeck. The Vannoorbeecks fell in love with the Queen of the Tropics in June of 1978. They attended their first show and purchased 20 plants. Hey, and I thought I was bad when I bought 5! Immediately, they started to propagate hibiscus and have produced at least five cvs. Interesting enough, none have ever been registered. These are Matouska, Tubize, Gerald Derr, Rojana and Yellow Jack. I asked Luc which if he had to choose would be his favorite, and he replied, Yellow Jack. This cv has won Best of Show single, and he says has the most brilliant yellow yet produced in his opinion. If you ask Luc to tell you what is the perfect flower he will reply that the perfect flower is not important to him. What is very important is that the bush is well branched and full, and the leaves should be serrated. He feels that plants that possess the serrated leaves stand a better chance of staying power.

Luc served as President of the South Dade Chapter from 1979-1984 and was elected chapter president once again in 2000. Luc became an AHS National President, show director, judge in 1985 and has also served as First Vice President. Then he was elected National President and served from 1998-2000.

Carol is presently serving on the seedling evaluation committee and if you want to know what hibiscus are available at the Florida Colors Nursery, she is the one to ask. Now if you want to know about plumeria, Luc is your man. The couple started hybridizing plumeria in 1990. They have currently 200 varieties available.

On August 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew cut a 30 mile by 200 mile swath through South Dade County, Florida. My home was in the northern path of the outer perimeter of the eye with 177 mph winds. Luc and Carol were on the back side of the winds and took a direct 200 mph hit that destroyed their two story home. Luckily for them, they threw as many hibiscus as they could into a big panel truck and these survived. One look at the pictures of before and after would be an eye opener. They recovered and rebuilt a new home on the adjacent property. The plumeria grove sits on the property where their previous home once stood and the hibiscus are several paces away.

Florida Colors Nursery provides hibiscus and plumeria to Stokes Tropicals and to other nurseries nationwide and even to international customers. Since the day I met them, I got the feeling that Luc and Carol divvy up the duties of caring for the hibiscus and plumeria. But if you want an opinion of a good bush, ask Luc and in his Belgian-accented English he will tell you the intricacies of why you would want a particular variety. Yes, not many have this resource, but I make sure to ask plenty of questions when they are around.

It was a foggy morning in the enchanted garden. The sun had not yet shone its face to the gems of many colors. The mysterious flower genie walked through the garden and suddenly heard music with a different beat. She gently swayed to the rhythm and suddenly felt like dancing. The mysterious flower genie moved closer to the sound and came upon a magical gem of orange hues and a hot pink center. The music and the gem were different than any she had heard or seen before.

From the Chronicles of the mysterious flower genie from the peninsula of flowers - Jazz

I first met Russ and Elaine Scobey at the Annual Picnic of the Miami Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society held last August at Luc and Carol Vannoorbeeck's Florida Colors Nursery. There were many hybridizers there to meet that day, but I fell in step with Elaine as we toured the plumeria grove at Florida Colors. We talked about her cvs, and I was delighted that she was the Mama of Fantasy Charm and High Voltage.

Later on, I got to sit down and talk with Russ a little but really did not get to know him better until November when we ran into each other again at the Miami Chapter's Hibiscus Show held at Fairchild Tropical Gardens in Miami, Florida. I volunteered to clerk for the judges and was seated with Russ, Audrey McCarthy and Wally Neef. We enjoyed the judging so much that day that we still chuckle about it but that is for another story.

Again, I ran into the Scobey's at the Sunrise Chapter Show in West Palm Beach and again Russ and Mr. Neef took me in hand and sat me down to clerk for the judges. One thing I would like to get across is the dedication the Scobey's have for showing hibiscus. In all the years since they began showing hibiscus in the late part of 1985, they have only missed four shows.

Elaine reports getting up at 1 a.m. to start picking the flowers for the away shows, and the couple gets to sleep until 5 a.m. for the at-home shows. They arrive early and help with show set up and later help with the break down. The AHS really appreciates a helping hand in these areas.

In their first full year of exhibition of the Queen of the Tropics, they won the Amateur Sweeps. The next year, the Collector Sweeps. In their third year of exhibiting hibiscus, they won the Commercial Sweeps. In those days, garden varieties were included but now only their best is shown at the shows.

I have already mentioned Fantasy Charm and High Voltage, but Russ and Elaine have over 200 cvs registered and the list of beautiful cvs reads like a who's who of hibiscus. Three more that are included in her favorites named above are Hot Dawg, Show and Tell and Like Wow. But after some research, I can also include Look at That, Angel's Kiss, Burnished Gold, Jane Flory, and Ed Flory.

This busy couple has held many positions in the AHS both local and national. Both have been president of the Gold Coast Chapter and have held all the other offices in that chapter. Russ is the 1st Vice President of the North Miami Chapter this year, and Elaine is a National Director. In the past, Russ was a National Director and Elaine was on the show and judging committee. Their chapter just closed down so at this moment they are Members at Large.

The Scobeys still graft and grow hibiscus and the name of their nursery is Elaine's Green Things, located in Pompano Beach, Florida.

They have the nursery set up with an automatic drip irrigation system and do not require frost protection for their plants because they are located near the ocean. Elaine reports having frost 10 years ago, for one night so they ran overhead water all night and didn't lose any plants.

To the Scobey's, the most important facet of the AHS is the friendships they have made over the years. They have lost count of the number of ribbons they have won in 16 years but have made numerous friends who are treasured.

Elaine also is a speaker for garden clubs and other hibiscus clubs and tries to drum up interest for our favorite flower.

Hey Elaine, I have a tip for you. Take a full sized Fantasy Charm to any place you go and interest for hibiscus will definitely go up.

And the Mysterious Flower Genie walked through the enchanted garden on a fine sunny day. She enjoyed each and every gem of many colors and treasured them as priceless jewels. The gems sparkled and glistened with the morning dew. Birds sang as they flew by the flowers, and butterflies of all descriptions flittered and landed on the gems in adoration.

The Mysterious Flower Genie was about to end her tour of the enchanted garden when she looked to her left and saw the most beautiful gem. This very large and wondrous gem was ruby rose in color with a lighter border. It was immense in size and the Mysterious Flower Genie had to use both her hands to hold this lovely gem. In awe she held it and smiled knowing she held a king's ransom.

From the chronicles of the Mysterious Flower Genie from the peninsula of flowers - Fantasy Charm.

Purdie Pointers

By Jim Purdie

The petaloids on a crested single always come from the top of the staminal column, and the ones on a double always from the bottom of the staminal column. Petaloids are the extra small petals that form on the staminal column and can be any of the following:

Crested---This refers to the petaloids that occur on the style tip of some single and semi-double blooms.

Crested Single---The bloom exhibits petaloids on the end of the stamen.

Crested semi-double---Loose double appearance, with petaloids rising from the staminal column.

Cup & Saucer---Outside guard petals follow single form, center tuft, or petaloids all arise from center and are distinctly separated from guard petals.

Semi-double---Loose petal formation with a few petals that may be twisted or quilled. All petaloids form from the base of the bloom. The staminal column may be missing

Crest can refer either to the little petaloids that occur on the style tip of a single bloom, or to the secondary on a semi-double or double blooms. Example El Capitolio, Persephone, Minator.

Full Double---Many petals & petaloids in a tight formation, giving a full ball-shaped appearance. The staminal column is usually missing.

The single petaloid usually does occur on some of the above at different times of the year, but it is most unusual to occur in some varieties. Who knows what quirk of nature will occur with our hibiscus. Just look at the different shapes & colors we are seeing every day in our lives.

(The above quotes were taken from "Growing Hibiscus " by Les Beers & Jim Howie.)