That is probably a steak dinner for a bird. LOL!

I'm happy we don't have those. Another good reason to feed the birds!!

I accidentally run out of bird seed in the summer so they can munch on bugs for a while. It is good for them and I am not tormented.

Hello all! I planted a hardy hibiscus this year, and it's been doing well until the last week or so - there were a ton of buds and I was looking forward to them all producing blooms. This week, I noticed my buds turning brown and dying. Has anyone had this experience before? The research I've done make me think thrips or midge, but I don't want to do the wrong thing!

Your pictures are a bit out of focus and I don't think those are buds .. they are seed pods! And the 2nd picture it looks like it's splitting. Ready to harvest.

In the pictures below, the first picture is of an immature seed pod you can see it's green and the 2nd picture is one that's ready for harvesting.

Anne,

Thanks for your response! As I'm sure you've already figured out, I know virtually nothing about the hardy hibiscus. Looking at your pictures, I'd say mine are definitely seed pods. I guess I was confused because initially, when green, they look just like the blooms I've had previously. So my plant is now covered in seed pods. Do you know if that means it's done blooming for the season, or is this just part of the normal cycle?

It's normal .. you can cut off the pods so the plant can put its energy into making more flowers .. I usually cut off all but a few of the spent flowers and let the plant grow a few pods for seeds. It takes a lot of energy out of a plant to reproduce .. so you probably want to save a few of the brown cracked ones and cut off all the rest.

Hello soonerchile!

I have a hardy hibiscus that is sterile. It does not produce seed so it is able to put all it's energy into blooming and I just love that!

Susan- Thanks for the welcome! Lucky you with your sterile hibiscus!

Anne- Thank you so much for your help. I'm glad to know my plant is ok. After a very close inspection, I see that I've got two buds on there - with actual flowers in them this time. At least I learned something and I won't make that mistake again!

Heather

Thanks Heather, I did not know that much when I bought it, I just got lucky. Hopefully you can show us a picture of your flower when it blooms!

Hi everyone! I'm new here and actually I thought I posted this a question but cannot find it.

Beautiful pictures.

These Hibiscus probably would not come true from seeds, would they? I have a no name white and a no name pink that I collect seeds from and they are very close to the previous plant. But I have one named red hibiscus that I would like to trade, so wouldn't I have to take cuttings?
Thanks,
Pandora

Cuttings are easy and it's the only 100% way to get the exact plant.

Thanks, Clintbrown.

I went out and checked the tag & it is Lord Baltimore like the previous pictures. Guess I need a cutting to put 2 together for a great show.

They are so easy. I rooted a red one for my mom 3 weeks ago. It's already getting buds to bloom at 1 foot tall!

Pandora

in bloom now

this is my favorite
and the leaves are a beautiful color too
june leaves

Thanks for the welcome, Virginiarose.

Gardengus, that is gorgeous. What is the name?

Pandora Good to see another person chatting with us.!!

Cinda, what is it??


Pandora your....

Sorry, I am not sure of the name , I have had it a couple years and I am not good at tags or records . I will post if I can find it in my garden journal