Growing Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle

Hibiscus Subdantta : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Sow in garden, or start in seed trays. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 55 inches apart
  • Harvest in 21-25 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Feverfew, Coriander, Nasturtium and Hyssop

Your comments and tips

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20 Aug 15, JAMES (Australia - tropical climate)
HI -- G'DAY Suggest to keen gardeners and home-cookers that if you do not grow a few Rosella Shrubs you should try. Probably one of the most useful food plants in the garden!? For example the young fresh leaves are great in a mixed salad, as are the chopped fruit (calyx). The older leaves make a superb curry (a common dish in Myanmar and other parts of SE Asia). The calyx has a myriad of uses; sun dried as a tea, made into a magnificent jam that puts strawberry in the shade, stewed and served with the morning muesli or used in tarts and puddings, and prepared as a syrup for flavouring drinks. By the way we are in the tropics, West Bali to be accurate- but this website does not show this zone!!! We reckon that if a veggie can grow in the Darwin area it is probably good for our seaside location with its high humidity and salt laden air. Cheers James
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14 Aug 15, Reg Vaughan (Australia - temperate climate)
Rosellas grow easily in Townsville mine self seeded from last year, which died off after picking and pruning. Just picked a third crop.
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11 Aug 15, Vanessa (Australia - tropical climate)
Here is a few Australian websites that sell Rosella seeds/plants: Daleysfruit; Boondieseeds; rangeviewseeds; thelostseed.
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18 Jul 15, Yusuf Isah (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
what is the effect of groundnut shell on growth of Roselle
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14 Jul 15, Juanita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I grow Rosella plants in a pot? If so, how big of a pot and what type of growing medium? I currently live in the Hervey Bay, Qld region.
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20 Oct 16, Fay (Australia - tropical climate)
Live in Woodgate, Q4660. can I grow Rosellas in a pot? Regards, Fay.
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07 Aug 15, Malcolm (Australia - tropical climate)
Yes. We have two plants growing in black 500mm plastic pots. Already made two lots of jam. Put mulch on top of soil and keep well watered.
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07 Jul 15, BETTY tilker (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can you buy the seeds
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21 Jun 15, rae (Australia - arid climate)
where can I buy seeds or seedlings, thank you.
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19 Jul 15, Prometheus (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Rae, I notice my regular seed supplier sells these. It won't let me paste the link but if you google 'the seed collection australia' you should find them. Best wishes.
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I grow a large plantation of approx 900 plants. If you are organic - Utilise pyrithrum for mites that may attack the stems. If you have drainage issues the root rot is cause by Needmatodes in the soil. It is very important not to re-plant a rosella straight away in the same location. Make sure your beds are well rested to rebuild core nutrients and particularly nitrogen for a good return harvest. While bed resting make sure you toss the soil for subsoil airation as well. @ 2 months they do appreciate a slight scatter of dynamic lifter and if you can source it prior to flowering worm castings - an incredibly rich furtiliser that makes up 1litre per 1 gram. I have been supplying the flower in syrup for years which is most commonly used in either drinks or served over ice cream and have recently made Rosella vinegar. Another hint is to make it into a sauce for pork - Devine taste!!! For any enquiries please email myself: zenon.kowalczyk (at) gmail.com

- Zenon

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