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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22 Jan 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
No Rhonda here in the last 50 comments. Start with good rich free draining soil. Add compost etc before planting. Plant at the recommended time. Water regularly - 3 times a week, longer waterings in summer.
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07 Dec 20, roy carpenter (Australia - temperate climate)
good day wondering if you could help me .i have planted 21 rosella plants ,all were growing very well. then 5 of the healthy plants shriveled up and died .at this point the others are doing well but i am concerned.the only thing i can think of is overwatering.the soil is workable but has clay deeper down. thank you.
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07 Dec 20, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Here suggests tropical and sub-tropical, you are temperate. I suggest you check the soil moisture before you water each time. Have a little scratch in the soil down 50-70 mm. This will tell you if the soil is wet or has dried out. Little plants a small watering each day or so, when plants have established a good root system less water, like each 2-3 days, depending on soil type and whether winter or summer etc.
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11 Nov 20, Viv McLauchlan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How long could I expect a rosella plant to live in central Qld. Are they annuals or what?
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11 Nov 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the article here - it tells you.
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25 Mar 20, Lyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have rosellas growing and all looking lush.. BUT some of the stems are droopy and bent right toward the tip..looks like something may have twisted it.. any idea what is causing this and how to treat it. Thank you.
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28 Mar 20, Clive (Australia - temperate climate)
Also check for grasshoppers. I had the same broken stems on my rosellas. Noticed a few of green grasshoppers. Sprayed them. Now no grasshoppers and no broken stems. Coincidence????
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27 Mar 20, Kathryn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My rosellas are also looking great - flowering and setting fruit but I did notice the same thing this week and upon closer observation there were green caterpillars on the leaves. I gave them to the chooks :)
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26 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
With a lush plant I would say you are over watering and fertilising them. The stems are growing growing and become thinish and weak. Back off the watering and fert and let the plants tuffin up a bit. Otherwise you may have some disease. Last time I saw rosella plants was nearly 60 years ago.
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22 Mar 20, Linda Bowden (Australia - temperate climate)
Why is my Rosela bush not flowering. Its huge in size, about 7ft tall. But no blooms.... help
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Showing 31 - 40 of 412 comments
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For a family grow 4 to 6 plants; when making the jam, jelly, chutney, or flowers in syrup for later use in champaigne, save some seed pods. Dry them carefully in the sun avoiding rain and birds. Rosellas may be found in the Brisbane Markets most months except July and August. 2009 prices are $4.00 to $7.00 for the firm clean dry fruit. Retail would be from $5.00 to $10.00 per Kg. Packed in new jars and well labeled the jam sells at $4.50 per 300g. Poorly packed in scruffy second or third hand jars 500g may sell for $4.00 if you are silly enough to make it properly and the pack it poorly; either way its a lot of work...two or three boilings of twenty to 30 minutes and lots of sticky red mess on sauspans, seives, jugs, ladles, benches and floors; sugar, lemons, limes and jam thickener all have a place in the jam making. I first made the jam with my parents in 1955 after growing 12 to 16 bushes successfully for my Gardeners Badge in Cubs. The Secret Jam makers business covers the many ways of removing the calyx from the seed pod. HOWEVER THE FLAVOUR IS NEVER FORGOTTEN UNIQUELY QUEENSLAND AND UNSURPASSED. Over the years I' ve raise hundreds of dollars for the Red Cross and Local Churches and given away dozens of jars of Jam. I am trying a recipe I devised for Rusella Butter which should knock Lemon Butter way off the shelves. Rosella Jam made with enough sugar will keep for 12 months below 25 oC, refrigerate after opening. Rosella Butter and Lemon Butter, Lime Butter, Passionfruit, Orange or Banana Butter must be refrigerated at ALL times and then will probably only last 4 or 5 weeks...even less once you open it! Lick your wooden spoons all you Qld. Jam makers. Plant the seeds (rosellas) after the last frost and plant 1 m apart in a sunny spot in well drained soil, applying fertiliser when the flowers first start. The plants may last two seasons but need to be trimmed in wet weather and after fruiting. Thehy are easier to remover after ONE season.

- Geoff

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