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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 19, 2020 17:07:13 GMT
That's for both of you! Casimira, I'm thrilled I could be of help. Tod, that is fascinating information that is completely new to me ~ thanks!
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Post by fumobici on Aug 20, 2020 14:15:14 GMT
"The other wonderful thing is you finding that scented pelargonium source! Mon Dieu!"
The last public event I attended, the Seattle Flower & Garden Show, had a seller of nothing but scented pelargonia! He must have had at least 100 distinct varieties. How one South African family of flowers could produce such a variety of distinctly different scents has always puzzled and amazed me.
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Post by casimira on Aug 21, 2020 11:39:01 GMT
It is mind blowing that someone can produce that many scents for one species of plant. And, the scented ones such as nutmeg and different mints really smell like what they say. Nothing artificial smelling at all. It's quite impressive for lack of a better word. The botanical world has always fascinated me for so many reasons.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 21, 2020 15:38:57 GMT
Fumobici and Casimira ~ check into the Cactus and Succulents thread some time. Mick has shown some remarkable succulent pelargoniums.
But ditto to what you both say about the scented geraniums. If I could, I would build up a collection again. It's not just the scents, but those different forms -- from some so tiny and dainty they seem meant for the fairies, up to the robust Peppermint -- are infinitely interesting and desirable.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 21, 2020 18:24:12 GMT
So, as I reported, my hibiscus was on its last legs. It lost more than half of its leaves and then it just went to sleep. A few weeks ago, it seemed to wake up a bit and create a few new sprouts, very slowly. But now it has sprung into action, and this is how it looks. I hope it grows more leaves, though, because it still looks sickly.
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Post by casimira on Aug 21, 2020 19:03:30 GMT
Will do Bixa. I always mean to scope out that thread more. How is it that it was started by dear Henning always makes me a tad sad.
YAY!! K2.!!! Your efforts paid off and "she's" looking good. I don't have any hibiscus in my garden. Mainly because it's one of those plants like bougainvillea that I like to look at but, in someone else's garden. In fact, just about anything in the mallow family (and, it's a big one!) is ok with me. Have you ever entertained the thought of trying your hand at propagating another one from the one you have? I've been told, and, I have nothing to back it up, that August is the ideal time of year to take cuttings of hibiscus to clone.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Aug 21, 2020 20:00:47 GMT
Great hibiscus Kerouac...I love them...I've only ever grown one called 'simply love' in the garden, that's a white one with a dark eye and amazing golden stamens smothered in pollen that drive the bees into a frenzy...
Think I'll get some seed next year...I've just talked myself into it.
I need to take some pelargonium cuttings, especially the Lord Bute which has been amazing this year. Plus some lavender cuttings...
With my flowering currant and winter flowering jasmine? Yellow thing... I just cut a twig off and stuck it in the ground in spring...both rooted easily.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Aug 21, 2020 20:04:01 GMT
Thanks or the rose cuttings guide Tod! I shall snaffle some from my sister's roses next year
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 21, 2020 21:34:42 GMT
winter flowering jasmine? Yellow thing Hmmmm. Is that Carolina jessamine/Gelsemium sempervirens? Can it grow in England?
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Aug 22, 2020 6:00:33 GMT
It's a forsythia...I just woke up and remembered! Not a winter flowering jasmine I just completely forgot the name
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Post by tod2 on Aug 22, 2020 8:03:56 GMT
Kerouac, I'm beginning to think Hibiscus are finicky plants. I had two and when I trimmed them (like roses) they both died. I think yours has been putting all it's energy into making those beautiful flowers. Maybe when they die the leaves will come back in force.
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Post by mickthecactus on Aug 22, 2020 8:11:53 GMT
I'm not sure how happy they are about being grown as house plants.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 22, 2020 16:27:50 GMT
I feel better now that I know! I'm not sure how happy they are about being grown as house plants. Well, he's had success with them for a few years now and they are making flowers, even though the plants looks as though they'd like more sun. Re: what Tod said about their being finicky -- when I lived in the Gulf south of the US, hibiscus and their relatives seemed to grow happily without much help from humans. When I moved into the house where I live now, there was an old hibiscus growing in one of the inadequate little garden spaces on the patio. It bloomed, which was not a thrill for me as I rather despised the double orange blooms. It was gnarled and sticking out in awkward directions. I pruned it and watered it & gave it some good soil. Had it been up to me, I would have simply pulled it out, but the landlady had emoted over it because her mother planted it. Well, it just up and died. The landlady suggested that it was because I didn't like it. (I think I'd once mentioned to her husband that I preferred single hibiscus blooms.) *sigh* In my defense, it's not the first plant that has either failed to thrive or just outright abruptly died in these little shit beds. There was a rosemary in one that did nothing and when I finally pulled it out, it had no roots. But worse, I had the most glorious six-foot scented geranium which I absolutely adored. This was in the main bed fronting the porch. One day it wilted and the next day it died.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 23, 2020 4:28:59 GMT
I had two and when I trimmed them (like roses) they both died. I have had to trim mine a few times, and it hates me for it. It actually used to be twice as big as it is now, but I just couldn't handle the size it had become, especially since in those days it refused to bloom... for years.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Aug 23, 2020 7:17:37 GMT
I've never been able to keep hibiscus indoors here, I don't know whether it's the light , the temperature or the dryness of the air but they keel over after a week or two. I bought a little gardenia once too...the flowers filled the house with a beautiful fragrance but it too soon sickened and died.
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 23, 2020 10:19:34 GMT
Well, this hibiscus has been going for about ten years now, first at my mother's nursing home and now at my place for the past three years.
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Post by casimira on Aug 23, 2020 12:14:37 GMT
I remember that hibiscus well and the fact that it's been kept indoors all these years, were it put outside it would surely die from shock. Today I am likely going to spend the bulk of my morning hauling anything that's in containers onto our covered breezeway. Otherwise they will perish from all the rain coming our way.
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Post by mossie on Aug 23, 2020 13:09:29 GMT
Please remember what Prince Charles did, you must talk nicely to your plants. They are very touchy and will curl up and die at the first hint of criticism.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Aug 23, 2020 14:25:47 GMT
You must have a special touch with hibiscus Kerouac
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 23, 2020 15:45:39 GMT
Well, for about 3 months I was certain it was dying.
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Post by tod2 on Aug 23, 2020 17:04:31 GMT
Please remember what Prince Charles did, you must talk nicely to your plants. They are very touchy and will curl up and die at the first hint of criticism. Mossie, I have always loved Prince Charles as a baby. I even combed my son's hair in the same fashion. But Charles grew into something he could not avoid -UNTIL he met Lady Diana. He could have gone along her flamboyant style in clothing (after ditching pregnancy- ) and they could have been The Obamas of UK. But No. Charles was too stuffy in his ring of 'Yea sayers' and he became an old man before his time. Therefore an older woman was waiting in the wings. NOW, about talking to plants…..that is definitely an old man thing….and bullshit. All they want is to be fed certain foods according to their needs.And plenty drainable water.
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Post by fumobici on Aug 23, 2020 17:41:45 GMT
This is an old hibisscus that I've had in the front yard forever. It was bought as a 'Rose of Sharon', I don't know the Latin binomial. The bees love it, but there weren't any on it when I went out to take these just a minute ago.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Aug 23, 2020 18:51:35 GMT
Ooooh....
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Post by kerouac2 on Aug 23, 2020 19:03:45 GMT
I am not even familiar with white hibiscus.
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Post by casimira on Aug 23, 2020 23:44:13 GMT
We had a 'Rose of Sharon' just like that in our yard in NY growing up. It's long gone but I remember it well seeing that pic.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 24, 2020 3:03:47 GMT
My grandmother had a purple one, which I also love and think of more homely and old fashioned than the very beautiful white one. I love its other name ~ Althea.
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Post by casimira on Sept 4, 2020 13:01:54 GMT
Please remember what Prince Charles did, you must talk nicely to your plants. They are very touchy and will curl up and die at the first hint of criticism. That reminds me of a book that came out in the '70's The Secret Life of Plants. They recommend certain types of music and yes, talking to your plants. I'm sure I have a copy of it around here somewhere.
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Post by tod2 on Sept 4, 2020 16:12:01 GMT
As I remarked before on talking to plants…..- What a load of twaddle.
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Post by kerouac2 on Sept 4, 2020 16:55:54 GMT
I am willing to believe that playing music in the presence of plants (I would never call it playing music to plants.) could conceivably have a positive effect. Just as gentle breezes are good for everyone (including human beings), the vibrations of music might also be good. But talking to plants? No way.
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Post by bjd on Sept 4, 2020 18:11:26 GMT
Those althea/Rose of Sharon (hibiscus syriacus) are really common in France. They grow like weeds, especially in the south but I have seen them in the north too. I like the white ones better but the purple ones are most common.
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