Hybrid seems such an unnatural word for something of nature and whether it is going against nature's equilibrium still remains to be seen. But sometimes with a little bit of interference, nature further surpasses itself, like a mother indulging a curious child, it rises to the occasion, and ever so magnanimously.
The hybrid multi-layered species mainly bloom from sunrise to sunset only. And if you miss it that day, you miss out altogether, so those who leave for work at 7am and go home after 7pm, well, skip this specie because missing out on all those gorgeousness is sure unfortunate.
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Deep red gorgeousness, unanimous in beauty, like Aishwarya Rai, best known for her role as Jodhaa Akbar, a symbol of true love that transcends all barriers, for me on par with red roses.
I've had this plant for more than a year already and story to tell. After transferring it to the ground, it started dying off probably with fungus, sap sucking mealy bug and leave munching grasshoppers. No amount of organic home remedy worked. Soap water mixed with oil or milk spray, nope. After about 2 months it started shedding leaves, not even a bud. Very sad. No amount of fertiliser too managed to revive it.
It then occured to me that probably the earth spot wasn't good, you know the chi flow and all. Finding a good spot is also a vital for plants. So i experimented planting a very hardy frangipani in the same spot but same problem. Leaves fell and started to die slowly it must be a very bad feng shui spot for planting.
So i pulled the hibiscus out and replanted it back into a pot and took it away to the opposite side of the yard. I followed with regular doses of chemical fungicide and pesticide, organic whatever! I was desperate. Because the plant was still weak, i fertilised with a low NPK 6-6-6 in case whatever remaining of the plant gets scorched.
After 3 very long months finally, the foliage improved and 2 weeks ago, walla, buds!!! I was ecstatic!
But again bummer, another different kind of unforeseen pest problem surfaced. My dog got into heat and an aggressive male sneaked into the yard by gnawing at the fence and jumped over my precious buds when i started chasing him away. He snapped all three buds I had eagerly expected to bloom. I nearly killed that canine. Thankfully more buds kept coming, phew! What a challenge eh!! The final pay off? Priceless!
All peaches and cream.... ok, peach. Sounds delicious though. This plant I have is about 5 feet high and can grow further to 8 feet.
If you look closer , this hybrid version is like an extravagant bunch of 5 flowers together. There are all in all 5 stigmas! Multi faceted, vibrant beauty. Reminds me of Kajol running in her peach shimmery gown towards the pyramid in the song Suraj Hua Maddham, you never tire of watching.
The huge bloom measures at least 7-8 inches in diameter. In the evening the frills bunch up even closer and looks even more lovely. But again, bloom only lasts till sunset. Too short a lifetime for such a wonder.
When i bought it it was slightly distressed, with yellowish and eaten up leaves but i couldn't resist the bloom and took the challenge.
Came home and gave it a blast of fungicide and pesticide. Then fertilised with kopi-o baja and after 3 weeks, new, greener leaves grew and it is now doing much better. Haven't stopped flowering though which i totally likeee. This flower gets me up out of bed at 6am just to see whether it has blossomed.
This is a different hybrid specie. If it is a Bollywood actress, I would say it is Vidya Balan in Piya Bole song in movie Parineeta. Spicy yet delightful burst of sunshine. The plant itself is less woody though The petals are finely lined with curled edges.
Same specie as above but in pure creamy white. Epic as Kareena in her white attire in the movie Asoka, that ethereal song Roshni Se.
I'm hoping to transfer all into a healthy ground soon, because the plants grows nearly 8 feet and blooms heavily when properly planted. Ah, can't wait.
Now im looking to add a pink one, a ravishing Madhuri like version...:)
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