I had to go to Lowe’s for ant poison and harlequin bug poison. I was planning a little bugmageddon at my house. While I was at Lowe’s, I looked at their plants. It isn’t the best place to go for knowledgeable workers, but they do have cheap plants. They had some tropical hibiscus plants for sale. I had said I wouldn’t get any more tropical hibiscus because they have to be brought in for the winter. Then I have to make sure they don’t get spider mites. And they have to have a sunny window. Sheesh! That’s too much work!
But last summer I saw a hibiscus flower that was a combination of pink and orange. I was only able to resist it because of its price: $60. But I regretted not getting it. It was one of those purchases that you don’t make because you think you shouldn’t, but then it haunts you afterward. I should have gotten it.
And then right there at Lowe’s was this tropical hibiscus with flowers on it that were a combination of pink and orange. Woo hoo! And it was only $15! Woo hoo! I got one right away.
Ha! You won’t mind all the work that will go into taking care of that plant – the flower makes it all worth it. Won’t one of those poisons you just bought knock out the spider mites?
The poison I got for the harlequin bugs would kill spider mites, but there are two reasons I would not use it on them. One: it’s overkill. Soapy water kills spider mites, and it’s a lot cheaper than chemical poisons. Two: there are A LOT of harlequin bugs in my garden. I’ll be using all of the poison on them, and then maybe I’ll go back for more.
Can you take a picture of your harlequin bugs so that we can find out if we need the harlequin poison too?
Do harlequin bugs have harlequin romances?
Not romances – tragedies. The kind that end with poison.
Hehe…you two are funny!
Brad, that is a beautiful hibiscus! I love the 2 colors! I’m glad you finally were able to get it…and at a bargain!
Hey, did you other lotus open? Is it the right petalness?
The Chastity lotus did open. It’s beautiful. Actually, both lotuses are blooming prolifically right now. I was going to post pictures of them when I do another garden movie.
On another note, someone gave me a lovely hibiscus. And I promptly killed it. I think it was the cold corner with little light where I put it. Poor hibiscus. I need another house for the warmth and light it needs in the winter months.
My secret to houseplant survival: put them all in a back room near a “morning” window and ignore them every day except watering day. Then, go in and turn them a bit, talk to them, take off any dead stuff, add water, and run while they’re still breathing…
So now does this mean there will need to be some home remodeling to allow for the new hibiscus so everyone gets a sunny window? It is a gorgeous-petalled plant, though – probably worth the thousands of dollars you’ll need to invest in the house to have picked it up so inexpensively…