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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01 Aug 10, Janey Clegg (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
A friend is growing healthy rosella shrubs, but we dont know what to harvest for the jelly, and once harvested, how do we make Rosella jelly? Appreciate any help at all. Area: Zimbabwe, Africa.
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01 Aug 10, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
This site has both jam and cordial recipes. www.greenharvest.com.au/seeds/info_sheet/rosella_jam.html
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29 Jul 10, johann (Australia - tropical climate)
looking for some simple rosella sauce recipes
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27 Jul 10, Maggie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Used to grow well on flood plain in Tweed Valley when I was a kid - black peaty soils. Grandma made the jam, hence my search for the topic - yum, love that slight tangy bite to the flavour.
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20 Jul 10, marlene (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How much fruit do you normally get from one bush. Can they handle Bris/Sunshine weather in summer. What kind fo soil do they prefer?
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30 Jun 10, Natalie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
greenharvest sells the seeds online.
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27 Jun 10, Graham Horrocks (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
After fruiting is over, do i cut bush back or remove all together.
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26 Jun 10, Anne meguyer (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in a coastal belt at Port Stephens. Where can I obtain plants to grow same? I grew up in Qld so recall them being grown there. No one round here seems to know of them. Thank You. Anne
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12 Jun 10, philomene bell (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
planted 3 rosella bushes about 4 weeks ago and the y are starting bare fruit how do i know when they are ready to pick
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18 Jun 10, Jean (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, you can pick them once the calyx has firmed up.
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Showing 331 - 340 of 471 comments
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Rosella. 1st Bunnings are stocking small plants in the Brisbane region .Elsewhere?? (Nov 08) Plant in a free draining bed, enriched with organic matter. If in a warmer climate mulch with sugar cane straw. NOT bark,or wood chip as they cause the soil to go hydrophobic. (water repellent).Use plenty of a nitrogen based fertiliser and get good leaf growth. Plants about 1.2 metres apart. Consider sulphate of potash to get vigorous qualtiy plants.Light side dressings at the roots drip zones..Plants that are well fed and growing strongly are particular able to resist insect and disease attack. If you use seed expect to see it through in 10-14 days.Put slug bait on the covering soil and cover all with 3-4 pages of newspaper or 50mm of cane mulch.Be careful to watch as the seedlings come through so they do not become leggy.Keep damp. We have 7 plants underway on Macleay Island Brisbane.Best wishes and good luck.

- alister (senior gardener)

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