Hibiscus!

So I've been a little obsessed with my new hibiscus plant lately. And it doesn't help that I was greeted by SIX gorgeous, new flowers when I woke up this morning. Last night there was one, now there's six. It's brilliant! :D

Three of the six flowers. 

What I'm really exited for is when the different color hibiscus plants that I've grafted onto this one begin to grow. I should have two branches of peach and one branch of yellow eventually. I've also taken a stem cutting from this plant and am rooting it in the school's mist-house along with a cutting from a yellow hibiscus plant.

An example of a single hibiscus plant with multiple colors grafted onto it.

Hibiscus are native to tropical climates and are often used in landscaping in those climates. But they can also make very good houseplants if kept in the right environment. Hibiscus plants can die from a few days exposure to temperatures under 50 degrees, so if you keep it in a three-seasons room or something of that sort, make sure the temperature stays well above 55 degrees at least every night. As far as light requirements go, make sure it gets lots of sun during the winter months. In summer, make sure it gets light, but isn't burned by the summer sun. Water well, but let it dry out between waterings.

If you decide to move it outside to a porch area during the summer months, make sure you acclimate the plant slowly to the brighter light. To much light to quickly can shock the plant.
 

Couldn't stop taking pictures of the huge flowers blooming in the window.

Fun Facts:

-It's possible to make tea out of the flowers of the hibiscus plant and is rich in vitamin C. It's also used in traditional medicines of many different cultures.

-The hibiscus is the national flower of both South Korea and Malaysia.

-It is the symbol of the Hindu goddess Kali.