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13th Issue Vol. 2 No. 10 ISSN 2094-1765 October 2009

CULTIVATION OF THE SHOWY HIBISCUSby Norberto Bautista

There are now an influx of newHibiscus hybrids in the plantmarket, with large 5 inches wideflowers. Gumamela, or Hibiscusrosa-sinensis L. was named byLinnaeus in 1753 and belongs toplant family Malvaceae, It is alsocommonly known as Chinesehibiscus, Shoe flower (due to thefact it is used as a shoe polisher),and its scientific name literallymeans China Rose. This plant is atropical evergreen flowering shrubnative to East Asia and the genus iscomposed of about 220 species.Other hibiscus species aredistributed in almost all continentsexcept Antarctica . Hibiscus iswidely grown as an ornamentalplant throughout the tropics, usuallya common garden plant, and with

some medicinal properties. It is related to Okra, Durian, cocoa and cotton.

The new Hibiscus hybrids haveflowers that are large, firm, scentless,and colors range from red, orange,yellow, pink, white and light blue.Flowers are either composed of singleor double sets of petals. There arenow numerous varieties and hybridsavailable. The flowers aredistinctively known to produce nectar,which attracts its bird pollinators, andalso children, who oftentimes sipnectar from the base of the pluckedflowers once detached from its sepal.

In 1998, Rey Pimentel of the Instituteof Plant Breeding, University of thePhilippines at Los Baños, introducedten new hibiscus hybrids, honoring thecentennial celebration of Philippineindependence. The plants werenamed after heroines of the country.Pimentel had previously brought in new varieties from Australia. He has again, produced ten new

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hibiscus hybrids called the Millennium plants. He has named them after Philippine womenscientists, mostly from the University of the Philippines. Pimentel has been in the forefront inencouraging people to raise hibiscus.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the CityFlower of Manila,national flower ofMalaysia and thestate flower ofHawaii. Hibiscusflower preparationsare used for haircare, as shoe polishand the flowersthemselves areedible and used insalads. Childrenusually play with thisflowers as they crushthe flowers in waterto produce a soapysolution, which arethen used to makeinstant bubbleballoons.

Cultural Requirements:

Light. Hibiscus loves bright light and are usually grown exposed to direct full sun.

Watering. Water plants moderately, but allowing the top half inch of the potting media todry out between watering.

Fertilization. Though home gardeners do not usually fertilize their plants, it isrecommended to apply half-teaspoon complete fertilizer 14-14-14 and half-teaspoon muriate ofpotash per gallon of water and drench about 100 ml (1 drinking glass) of this solution per 6 inchpot or for every plant every two weeks. This is to ensure that the plant will continuously flower andwill have vigorous growth. About half teaspoon of controlled release fertilizers or organic fertilizerslike vermicompost or fully-decomposed chicken manure can also be applied for added nutrients.

Potting and Repotting. Use soil-base potting mix composed of 1:1:1 garden soil:compost : sand in clay or plastic pots.

Control of Pest and Diseases.

Hibiscus is susceptible to sucking insects like white flies, aphids and scales. They canbe controlled by spraying with insecticides like Lannate or Sevin.when infestations occur.Hibiscus is also a favorite host of certain Lepidopterous larvae (caterpillars of butterflies andmoths) which defoliate or damage their leaves. Weekly spraying of fungicides like Captan orDithane can be applied as a prophylactic once the rainy season arrives in order to control leafspots, and rotting.

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Hibiscus plants, especially newer cultivars, have very few flowers during the rainy season, whichextends from June to October. This is a good time to prune the hibiscus plants. After the rain, theplants start blooming profusely.

Propagation.Shoot tip cuttings. – Hibiscus is commonly propagated through shoot tip cuttings. 4-inch shoottips are cut, and its base are inserted into potting medium composed of 1:1:1 garden soil,compost and sand in plastic pots. Place about 15-20 cuttings in a 6” pot, and cover with plastic tomaintain humidity and in a bright filtered light. Dipping the base of the stem cutting in rootinghormone will facilitate rooting. Moist the media regularly, making sure that it does not dry out.Cuttings will root within 3 weeks. Once rooted, the plastic bag covering the seedlings can beremoved and drenching of fertilizer solution can be applied, as well as regular watering. After 3weeks, plants can be potted individually.

Air-layering or Marcotting. – a small band of wound (about half inch length) is made on thebark of the stem where you want roots to be induced. Sterile moist coconut coir dust orsphagnum moss is placed on the wound area and then is covered by plastic. Roots usually arisewithin 3-4 weeks. Once roots arise, the cutting can be separated from the mother plant andplanted on a pot with potting medium.

Seeds. Gumamela flowers can be pollinated to produce seed capsules. Seeds from mature seedcapsules are usually mature in 6-14 weeks after pollination and can be germinated on plastic potswith potting mixture, and plants usually flower after 6-18 months from germination. Oftentimes,these crosses are sterile, but some are fertile, further increasing the complexity of variability andthe possibility of a virtually unlimited number of eventual Hibiscus rosa-sinensis varieties. Thepod could contain anywhere between zero and 60 seeds.

Grafting. Selected hybrids can grafted into rootstock varieties which has been proven to beresistant to soil borne problems and have strong root system. Grafting could also facilitatepropagation of hard to root varieities.

A Unique Thai-Bali Landscape Designat Mega Orchids, MSBF Compound, Quezon City

By Norberto Bautsita

Landscaping is the art andscience of rearranging plants,rocks, sculptures, trees in anexisting area, making it lookattractive and at the same timefunctional. Pathways, lighting,drainage and areas forrecreation is included in theoverall design to provide an awholesome appearance to theonce dull or monotonous gardenlandscape.

If you are looking someparticular garden design tips,one could visit the show area ofthe Mega Orchids at the ManilaSeedling Bank Foundation alongQuezon Avenue corner EDSA in

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Quezon City . It is owned by Ms. Cynthia Isidro, a well known grower of Dendrobium orchids fromBulacan.

She used Bali or Thai stone andceramic sculptures in herlandscape, making her store veryappealing and attractive to orchidbuyers as well as children. Then,stones and pebbles areincorporated in order to cover orhold the soil and stepping stonesare placed in the pathway.Colorful bromeliads, aglaonema,sanseviera, philodendrons,dendrobium orchids, and birdsnest ferns are inserted among thestone sculptures, making it a trulysplendid garden. Some areas ofthe ground are covered withmundo grass in order to hide the

soil. There are also stone tables and chairs with umbrellas to provide shade. Ponds or stonebasins with floating lettuce lily are found on corners to provide humidity to plants. Metal chimesare also hung among the sides of the garden to provide the tickling and clinging sound of metal inthe surrounding.

For tall plants, palms, tree ferns are used in the back of the garden to provide background plants.Large hanging staghorn ferns are suspended along the post or ceiling of the garden.

The garden seems lively due to various shapes of stone sculptures like smiling frogs, singingchildren, small playful elephants, storks, round marble eggs, praying Chinese children and a

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touch of Buddhism. Most of the statues used are collections, not to mention other Thai gardenartifacts which will blend well in a well-planned gardenOne could really enjoy and learn a lot of garden design tips when you visit this garden. It is opento the public for free.

THE PHILIPPINE GRANDE STAGHORN FERNby: Adrian S. Go

Among the native plantspecies of thePhilippines, the “Grande”Staghorn Fern or thePlatycerium grande is areal showstopper! Sointriguing and unique, theplant resembles like ahuge “Man-of-War”jellyfish hanging onto theupper branches of trees.Some huge specimensreported to reach over 15feet in length! Mostnotable were thespecimens at the DavaoShrine (El Santo NiñoDel Prague) and thePhilippine Eangle’s Parkof Davao City inMindanao.

The Philippine Grande Staghorn Fern or Platycerium grande with pendent fertile fronds.

Habitat & Distribution. Platycerium grande belongs to the fern group. It grows as an epiphyte,meaning tree dwelling and attaching itself onto the upper branches of trees to receive brightfiltered light and moderate air circulation.

This specimen can still be found along the eastern portion of the Mindanao and Visayan islands.It has a wide distribution in the Agusan, Cotobato and Davao provinces.

Plant Structure. The Philippine “Grande” Staghorn Fern has interesting features, which includes:short rhizome stem, large leafy growths and fibrous roots. The leafy growths are in two distinctforms and are positioned in pairs arising near the apex of the rhizome. These are arrangedalternately each one becoming larger, basically covering or replacing the previous one. The twodifferent leafy fronds are as follows:

a. Shield Fronds. These leafy fronds are held sideways and upright. Each one developingalternately, slowly but eventually almost completely covering or replacing the older frond,leaving the top in an open basket form. This way, the falling leaves and other organicdebris are caught inside the basket, forming the shield frond. Oftentimes, the enclosedolder frond decays and becomes part of the organic compost pile within the shield frond.The organic matter becomes the source of nourishment and is needed by the plant toroot extensively. The clasping shield frond conserves the water inside and maintains it fora long time between the layers of fronds, roots and organic debris. This plant species hasevolved in such a way that it has developed a system of water conservation and how to

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obtain nutrients even in long dry periods. Each shield frond can reach up to 2 meters longand 1.5 meters wide.

b. Fertile Fronds. These are branching leafy fronds that are held pendently on a semi-circular stance. Each frond develop alternately and slowly also replacing the previous oneusually during the months of May, June and July. The fertile frond initially produces 2main branches that produces a secondary branch wherein 2 sporangial patches arelocated (underneath the surface). There are up to 6 or more further branching of thefronds producing ribbon-like effect. The overall length of a fertile frond may reach over 3meters. The sporangial patches would mature in 3-4 months and it usually turn darkbrown in color. The sporangia will then eject into the air several thousands of tiny dust-like spores.

Over-all, the plant really resembles like a green “Man-of-War jellyfish that hangs on treebranches.

How the SporeGerminates. Onceejected from the parentplant, the spores takesflight as it gets carried bythe wind. If the sporelands where there isample moisture and light,it germinates into a tinyheart-shaped plant, onecell layer thick, 1 cm indiameter, which is calleda prothallus. At the sametime, it produces tinyroot-like extensionscalled rhizoids to anchoritself in place.

After 3 months, theprothallus developsseveral female organscalled archegonia, eachcontaining a single egg,and a male organ calledantheridia, eachcontaining severalsperms. When watermoistens the prothallus,the film of water on itssurface and underneathhelp the sperm swimdirectly to the eggs andfertilize them.

Within a few days, several new growths start to develop on the prothallus depending on howmany egg cells were fertilized. Each growth will take on nourishment from the prothallus until itproduces its own roots. The first few leaves produced look like the seed leaves of other plants,and do not appear like the parent plant’s but eventually new leaves will form closely resemblingthose of the adult plant. When the plant already has approximately 8-10 leaves and several roots,

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it can be detached fromthe prothallus and therest of the young plantsas it can be plantedindividually.

Photo (left) shows a stillvery young staghorn fernplantlet clasping a treefern slab. NOTE theclasping behavior of itsshield frond around thetree fern slab.

Growing Conditions.Platycerium grandeplants are highlyadaptable to a muchwider range ofconditions and aregrown successfully outof its habitat. The plantsthrive well in manygardens and nurseriesin the Philippines andabroad. The plant willcontinue to thrive aslong as it is providedwith 50% of filteredsunlight, 50-70%humidity, temperature of70-89 oF and regularwatering. Make surethat the root base is

firmly attached onto a tree branch so it may soon produce several root mesh that will anchor theperiodically water-filled plants. It is necessary to keep humus and other organic materials insidethe shield so that the plant will regularly receive nourishment. Occasional or regular feeding ofnutrients fertilizer would of course produce a more robust or vigorous growth of fronds and roots.Water the plant well inside the shield fronds and roots.

Hang this fern species to at least 8 to 10 feet above the ground to allow the pendent fertile frondsto develop and extend fully without getting bruised by other plants below. Elevate the plant upfurther if the fertile fronds are nearly touching the ground.

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Admiring the Doñasby Ma. Eloisa E. Hernandez

The Philippines is proud to have notable ladies who have considerably contributed to the task ofnation building. Among them are President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former President CorazonC. Aquino,

First Ladies Amelita Ramos and Imelda R. Marcos. Today, such names are not only synonymouswith political prestige but are now Hybrid names for indigenous species, Mussaenda.

Collectively known as the Doñas, Philippine Mussaendas were named after the First Ladies of thePhilippines. This is considered as the country’s most important contribution to the ornamentalindustry.

They are likewise regarded as the “centennial” breakthrough in Philippine Horticulture. In fact,they have became popular not only in the Philippines but are also now gaining recognitionabroad.

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Characteristic of Mussaendas

The first Mussaenda, M. philippica var.aurorae Sulit, was named in honor of the wifeof PresidentManuel L. Quezon,. In 1915, Hugh Curran andMamerto Sulit discovered it in Mt. Makiling inUP Los Baños. Recent hybrids were nowcoined on Filipino synonyms of the word“muse” such as ‘Diwata’, ‘Mutya’, ‘Lakambini’,and ‘Diyosa’.

The “Doñas” are admired for their colorfulsepals or modified leaves either in red, white,or pink. Also, the hybrid possesses continuousblooming habit, almost throughout the year.

They are less floriferous from months of January to March. They are commonly used forlandscape.

Potted Mussaendas

With the idea of coming-up with a substitute or compliment to the poinsettias which grow onlyduring the Christmas season, the Institute of Plant Breeding of the College of Agriculture (IPB-CA), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), developed a technology for pottedMussaendas and propagating varieties that are short-stemmed, proliferous, and easy-to-root.

The study on the Development of Colored Multi-Petaloid Mussaendas Suited for PottedOrnamentals, conducted by Dr. Simeona V. Siar of IPB, aimed to develop indigenousornamentals such as Mussaenda as substitute and alternative to the traditional and introducedpotted ornamentals such as poinsettias and chrysanthemum. This included the: (1) hybridizationand development of outstanding plants; and (2) evaluation and mass propagation of outstandingplants.

The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), a coordinating and funding agency supporting R&Dbreakthroughs in agriculture and fisheries, supported the study from October 2001 to September2002 and from February to December 2006 under its High-impact projects.

Mussaenda cultivars used in the hybridization stage include varieties of red (’Doña Eva’, ‘DoñaTrining’, ‘Lakambini’, and ‘Florida’), white (’Mutya’, ‘Doña Aurora’, ‘Diwata’ and ‘Maria Makiling’),and the colored varieties (’Baby Aurora’, ‘Doña Pacencia’, ‘Queen Sirikit’, and ‘Doña Esperanza’).

Protocol in producing potted flowering Mussaenda

1. Harvest flower initials from 6 to 7 am or late afternoon. Healthy shoot tips should be 4-5 incheslong and with 3-5 nodes.2. Put the harvested shoots in clear plastic bag to avoid desiccation.3. Remove older leaves and leave two to three pairs of nodal leaves.4. Cut the basal end of the cuttings diagonally with a sharp pruning shear.5. Dip the basal end portion of cuttings in a rooting hormone, Quick Root powder.6. Plant two to three cuttings in four-inch pots with a mixture of part coir dust and one-half partsand.7. Apply one tablespoon Osmocote (a slow release fertilizer).