all reds are good. It is almost as dark here. Say hi to Boca Joe- he is visiting me in october.

I think it looks great. I would say it's a very passionate plumeria bloom. Beautiful.

Bill, I'm glad you will be able to meet up with Joe. He's absolutely nuts about tropicals. We have shared a lot of plant material over the years.

Dave,
In my opinion it's a keeper for sure! I love those dark reds.

John

Keeper. A very unique specimen plant.

It is different. I like the almost black veins in the petals. Does it have a nice scent?

Karyn the scent is faint. I've read it will increase fragrance once picked. Don't know about that.

Hey Dave,

That is a beautiful "Hilo Beauty"

I would definately "Keep Her" LOL.....

My Black Tiger has the same coloring, but the flowers are really slow to open. All others seem to be doing great...I wonder why this red is so fragile? Are the reds and dark burgandys more difficult to grow in general?

Hope all is well in Nova!!! I was working this weekend, and heard about all of the mess happening in DC...I hope your wife survived all the headaches!!!!

Take care everyone,

Laura in VB

Laura,

I can't really say that 'reds' are any harder to grow. I've read that reds are more difficult to 'root', but that has not been the case for me. This one rooted easily. I think maybe SOME SPECIFIC VARIETIES are harder to root, but it also depends on the freshness and maturity of the cutting as well as the vigor of the plant when the cutting is made.