Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and Hoya are ornamental plants widely popular for their unique and attractive blooms. With the lockdown-induced interest and trend on growing garden- and houseplants, more consumers look out for new varieties available in the market.
In the Philippines, there is a preference for imported or international varieties of gumamela because of their large, multi-colored petals. However, these varieties do not bloom well in low and hot areas of the country. Hoya, on the other hand, is one of the country’s most outstanding endemic ornamental plants with high commercial value but has been given very limited research attention.
To address these, the Philippine Council for Agriculture Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) launched two new breeding projects on gumamela and Hoya during an online inception meeting held recently. The first project, “Development of new Hibiscus varieties through hybridization and embryo rescue,” aims to produce locally-adapted gumamela plants that can bloom well even under hot or tropical conditions.
The second project, “Varietal Development in Philippine Native Hoyas,” focuses on introducing new varieties of Hoya with new color or form, profuse flowering, and longer blooming period.
Read the complete article at www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph.