OMG, Keith! That plant is gorgeous. I love it and have seen no other like it--at least not grown from seeds. It would be great if you could patent it or get someone (wealthy) to do it for you and split the profits or sell the rights to it for a price that will make you rich enough to patent your products in the future. Maybe I'm just dreaming of a bright future for you.

Deebie said:OMG, Keith! That plant is gorgeous. I love it and have seen no other like it--at least not grown from seeds. It would be great if you could patent it or get someone (wealthy) to do it for you and split the profits or sell the rights to it for a price that will make you rich enough to patent your products in the future. Maybe I'm just dreaming of a bright future for you.

I've been looking into it and found a place. I'm just waiting to see if seeds pass the gene.

Keith is just awesome and extremely generous to share some of the seeds from this hibiscus with me. The seeds were planted in my best most fertile spot. Hopefully, they will germinate this year or next. Many thanks again, Keith!

Oh, Karen, I feel so , but happy growing. I hope that they do well for you. And Keith, I can only wish you the best. Keep us posted on your progress in that direction.

If I hear anything I'll let you all know!

Karen keep us posted on the results as well!

I finally got to grow seeds from my plant, and I am finding variegated seedlings from it Its amazing that it passes the trait and not only plain green.

@Deebie here's the update

@keithp2012,
Did you forget something? Update....?

It's right above his last post.

Im a new member to this forum and have a question. Ive noticed alot of topics about roses of sharon. What exactly is a rose of sharon?

It is not a rose. But it is "(Hibiscus syriacus), a member of the mallow family." That is about all I know about it other than they do have beautiful blooms and are very common in this area.

Nanner35 said:Im a new member to this forum and have a question. Ive noticed alot of topics about roses of sharon. What exactly is a rose of sharon?

Rose of Sharon is A common name for Hibiscus syriacus. Here in the South it often goes by the common name of Althea, even though it is not a true Althea.

It's a hardy Hibiscus that can live in cold climates. The tropical Hibiscus is gorgeous, but requires a warm winter area, or a greenhouse to grow.

Nabber35! Here is our database about them. Browse through and see how beautiful they are!
The Roses of Sharon Database

How is your variegated plant doing this year, Keith? We need an update when you have time!

plantmanager said:How is your variegated plant doing this year, Keith? We need an update when you have time!

It's doing excellent! I have so many seedlings and cuttings from it too many also variegated! I wanted to try and get a patent.

Show us some pics of it now. Have you learned anything else about how to do that? I imagine it's expensive. Is it?

Keith you are loved & generous so you should open something like a 'Go Fund Me' account for that patent money. I'm sure there are many other gardeners like myself here at garden.org & elsewhere that you've shared your surprise syriacus with that would donate whatever they can to help you secure a patent or a contract with a grower for this beauty. Anyone else want to give a shout out & Amen to this idea? Trudy in Louisiana (a proud owner of a 1 year old plant I call 'Keith's Gift')

Keith, that is a beautiful Rose of Sharon! I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there are rules on eligiblity of plant patents. Not being an attorney, just reading interpretations of plant patents. One is the plant can not have been made available to the public for more than one year prior to patent application. Another is it can never have been sold. I would suggest at least googling plant patents and reading the rules. That being said... on many plants with patents, I have found they do not follow the rules.

But if you can not file a patent or decide to not go that route maybe you could offer your rooted cuttings for sale in the classifieds on NGA. Maybe there is a mom and pop plant or other type business in your area that would sell these for you.

Most of the more expensive Rose of Sharon's are grafted. I do not know what they use for rootstock. With the talent you have, if you do not already know how, you could easily learn to graft. Grafting makes larger trees in less time...larger trees command a higher price and higher profit margin

Just some ideas for you and Good Luck!

May you continually be blessed with success!

Keith what a beautiful Rose of Sharon. I grow/have grown my own from seed. Always can't wait to see what blooms will look like. My best is one like Strawberry Smoothie.