1-
Eleven-Inch Hibiscus, fed "Garden
Gold"
Each Hibiscus Blossom
is perfect for just one day. These plants can be propagated from seeds
or cuttings. Plants produced from Cuttings should be exactly like the
Parent
Plant. But Plants produced from your Seeds may revert back to their
ancestory,
which may lack the appearance of your hybrid Plant. But this
unexpected
appearance may be Very desirable. (2,3)
Hibiscus may have trouble setting
Seeds in your area. If you want to produce viable Seeds it may be
necessary
to Pollinate them by
hand using a small
Artist's Brush. The reason is that there are many plants which have
much
more attractive Nectar and other characteristics to Pollinating Insects.
If these more attractive Plants
bloom at the same time as Hibiscus, it may suffer from lack of
attention.
Given the short time period of successful Pollination, you may want to
Pollinate them by hand. It's easy and fun.
7- This
photo clearly shows the yellow Pollen-laden Anthers behind the 5-lobed
red Stigma (white arrow). In order for the flower to become Pollinated
and produce viable Seeds, it is necessary for the Pollen to get from
the
Anthers of this bloom, or a neighboring bloom onto the Stigma.
Once Pollen is produced, the
Anthers have no more importance to Pollination; their job is finished.
Now it is the job of the wind or insects or your Artists Brush to
transfer
Pollen to the Stigma. 6-
shows
the same 5-lobed Stigma covered with Pollen granules.
Gently touch the Pollen with
the dry brush bristles. You will see the Pollen cling to the brush.
Then
very gently touch the five lobes of the Anther with the Pollen from the
brush. The Pollen will be transferred to the sticky Lobes very easily,
and given a little luck, you should have viable seeds within 30 days. (4,5)
The Pods and their stems will turn brown.
Then the Pod will begin to split open to reveal its seed. That's when
it's time to snap them off in a bag, or they will turn down and empty
their Seeds. They will store best in a cool dry place until sown.
If Pollen fails to cling to
your Artist's Brush, try rubbing the Brush briskly on a man-made Fabric
to charge it with Static Electricity.
Hibiscus Pollination
