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Both of you sent me Texas Red Star hibiscus seeds this year, and I started them together, so I don't know whose germinated, but I finally have some nice sized plants. I potted them up to bigger pots today - they have been living indoors in a Southwestern window.
Do you think I'll be able to overwinter them indoors here, with the hopes of putting them outside next summer?
Thanks again to both for sharing your seeds!
Also... when they get a bit taller, would I be able to cut them back a bit in hopes that they will get bushier?
* * * * Lynne's knitting journal "I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???" Plants: 17066 | From: Rockland County, NY | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 69.125.135.161
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Hey! I think that's what I have growing in one of my garden beds! I ummm... sort of lost track of what I put where... don't know what happened to my plant markers. (Thanks for posting the photo Lynne!)
Jimmy had sent Texas Red Star hibiscus seeds to me too, so I'll assume that's what it is! (Only one sprouted though... & it took a looong time!)
I'm wondering the same things that Lynne is, although winter doesn't get as cold here as it does in New York... I'm thinking that maybe I can just mulch mine over?
quote: Do you think I'll be able to overwinter them indoors here, with the hopes of putting them outside next summer?
Lynne, although I know the Texas Star is a hardy Hibiscus, I'm in zone 5 and I don't believe that they are hardy in my area, but since I've never had them I can't really say for sure! It's just that I really don't recall ever seeing any of them at the Missouri Bontanical Garden.
quote:when they get a bit taller, would I be able to cut them back a bit in hopes that they will get bushier?
The hardy Hibiscus usually blooms on new growth and I cut mine back to about 6-7" from the ground after first freeze. ;)Since all the stems die in the winter anyway, I don't think cutting it back will make it more bushier! Lynne, this is only what I know from dealing with my Hibiscus, so you'll probably be able to get better information from Jiffy and Jimmy!
* * * * "Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen!" Plants: 6492 | From: Illinois | Registered: Feb 2006
| Seeded: 199.217.139.117
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Thanks so much for your info, Patti! I do seem to recall Jimmy bringing his all in during his Texas winters too - sorta remember seeing him post pictures of his hibiscus indoors?
Patty - glad I could be of help. I planted 4 peat pots of these seeds way back in March, and it's taken this long for the 2 (1 pot has 2 plants) to get this size indoors! I was nervous about putting them outside while they were still so tender earlier...
* * * * Lynne's knitting journal "I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???" Plants: 17066 | From: Rockland County, NY | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 69.125.135.161
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Looking good Lynne!!! Hope they continue to do well for you! I hope Jimmy or Jiffy let you knwo how to make them bushier cuz all of my hibiscus are so tall and skinny.
* * * * We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart. Plants: 30076 | From: Washington, the state that is... | Registered: Aug 2004
| Seeded: 66.235.45.83
Triss, I've found the hardy Hibiscus seem to get bushier and fuller with age, but I also think it depends on the variety because my Kopper King is as wide as it is tall.
* * * * "Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen!" Plants: 6492 | From: Illinois | Registered: Feb 2006
| Seeded: 199.217.139.139
posted
I am finding with mine that they are all just growing up a single stem with leaves back and forth up the stem and those I have trimmed the top off of, just grow another long stem with leaves. I did get one flower. I will be trying them again next year outside and see if they do any better than this year indoors.
* * * * We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart. Plants: 30076 | From: Washington, the state that is... | Registered: Aug 2004
| Seeded: 66.235.45.83
posted
Lynne Texas Star Hibiscus does not bush it grows straight up like the Manhot does. Triss your should not bush the hardy will bush as Patti said so will the Tropical. I bring my tropicals in during our hard Texas winters. Last year had three days of 30 degree weather where I am. Texas Star is hardy to zone 8 and 7 I have wintered mine outside but try to bring all my new ones in for winter as they wont make it in case it does really get cold. I am saving Tina a bunch of seed of the one's I have blooming this year they are about 18 months old before they bloomed well worth the waite. I posted photo's of them you can also see them in my photo bucket under hibiscus 06 I beleive. Patti do you need some more Texas Star seed or Triss anyone Patty just said only one of hers came up. Lynne do think you will have to bring your in for winter as you get a lot colder then we do. Triss I have been to Washington state watched it snow with in two foot of the ground and still not need a coat but that was in the beautiful Yakima Valley I was in at the time. Triss gues what I am saying is your inlaws or Bill could better advise you on wheather or not you need to bring yours in during winter as they would know better then I how cold it gets during a hard or mild winter. Good luck.
* * * * Meet Clyde my Male Sugar Glider. Clyde says Keep it organic. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A. Pray for our Troops! Jimmy's Photos Jimmy's Blog Plants: 4678 | From: Irving,Tx. | Registered: Jul 2006
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Thanks so much for the great info, Jimmy! I haven't had my plants outside yet... what I was hoping was that they'd continue to grow ok by the window over winter, and not fade out... I will keep a close eye on them, and hope I don't need to beg for more seeds next season.
* * * * Lynne's knitting journal "I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???" Plants: 17066 | From: Rockland County, NY | Registered: Nov 2003
| Seeded: 69.125.135.161
posted
Make sure they can get plenty of light. Had mine down the hall but have those full Spectrum daylight type bulbs in all the fixtures for plants as well as my birds they did well for me.
* * * * Meet Clyde my Male Sugar Glider. Clyde says Keep it organic. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A. Pray for our Troops! Jimmy's Photos Jimmy's Blog Plants: 4678 | From: Irving,Tx. | Registered: Jul 2006
| Seeded: 4.253.82.85
I do have a question, if it is not going to get bushy, does it just grow and grow up the one stem? Mine drooped but if it were straight up it would be about 6 feet tall.
* * * * We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart. Plants: 30076 | From: Washington, the state that is... | Registered: Aug 2004
| Seeded: 66.235.45.83
posted
Triss mine stoped at around 6 foot. If yours are drooping might add a little compost tea it give it a boost also I had about a cap of red apple wine venigar to a gallon of water about twice a month helps put acid in the soil or some kind of fertilizer but don't go to heavy or you will burn them up. Lynne about 8 to 12 hours a day. Have some on timers others are where I willl be anyway so will turn them on and off at proper time. Try to set or turn them on with sunrise sunset for the season I have found that best way to go.
* * * * Meet Clyde my Male Sugar Glider. Clyde says Keep it organic. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A. Pray for our Troops! Jimmy's Photos Jimmy's Blog Plants: 4678 | From: Irving,Tx. | Registered: Jul 2006
| Seeded: 4.253.82.85
* * * * We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart. Plants: 30076 | From: Washington, the state that is... | Registered: Aug 2004
| Seeded: 66.235.45.83
posted
I over wintered mine Jimmy gave me last summer and today I saw it was pushing new green Up thru the soil! I was just asking Jimmy today when can I expect them to come back or WILL they come back.. He said Don't worry they know when to show up!!! Boy Did he say that right!!!
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(Thanks for posting the photo Lynne!)
(Only one sprouted though... & it took a looong time!) ![[dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
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Meet Clyde my Male Sugar Glider. Clyde says Keep it organic. 
GOD BLESS THE U.S.A. Pray for our Troops! 
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