Gallery The Tropical Zone ~ Flowers Of Hawai'i

'Aloalo Hiwahiwa He pua laha 'ole ~ Hibiscus Kokio

Scarlet Red Hibiscus
‘Aloalo Hiwahiwa He pua laha ‘ole
(Hibiscus, precious favourite one, rare, prized, blossom)

It is believed that there are only five species of Hibiscus that originated from Hawai’i. Other species found their origin in Asia and the Pacific islands. In the early twenties, the Hibiscus Brackenbridgei was adopted as the official Territorial flower of Hawai’i. It kept this status throughout the 20th century, but only in 1988 its yellow colour was defined as the official colour for the Hibiscus representing the State of Hawai’i. Before 1988, the official Hibiscus could have any colour. Additionally, it was not until 1988 that the flower could represent the State of Hawai’i, because before that time the territorial status of the group of islands was unclear.

Hawai’i’s state flower (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) originated in Asia and the Pacific islands. Interestingly, it is also the national flower of Malaysia.

Research suggests there were originally only five species of the tropical Hibiscus that were native to Hawai’i. Growers began to hybridize these native species with other varieties imported to Hawai’i, which produced the huge kaleidoscope of colours and sizes available today.

There are several ways to tell the difference between the tropical and hardy perennial varieties. Tropical hibiscuses have dark green glossy leaves, sporting 3-4 inch flowers that are either single or double in colors of yellow, orange, pink, or red. Also, tropical hibiscus can have blossoms of salmon, orange, yellow, or peach with double flowers.

Hardy perennial Hibiscus have foliage of medium-green with leaves that are heart shaped. Their flowers of white, red, or pink are much larger than those of the tropical Hibiscus.

Many hibiscus aficionados increase the number of plants they have by using cuttings, a practice known as cloning or asexual reproduction. Select the best tips; look for good leaf color and a robust upright growing stance. Water the plants in the morning before taking the cuttings. Use sterilized shears. Count down about 4 leaf nodes to where the stem starts turning from light green to brown. Make each cut at a 45 degree angle just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, as well as any large top leaves. Dip the point of the cutting into a rooting stimulant, and then insert them into the growing medium only as deep as necessary to keep them upright. The cuttings should be fully rooted by the end of 6 weeks, and can then be transplanted. If the cuttings have been rooted in a green house, they should be hardened off before transplanting, by switching them to regular irrigation, and moving them out into the sunlight during the day, and back indoors for the night, for a few days.

This is a hardy perennial Hibiscus
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