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
S             S S S S S
T T T           T T T T
P P             P P P P

(Best months for growing Rosella in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 140 cm apart
  • Harvest in 21-25 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Feverfew, Coriander, Nasturtium and Hyssop

Your comments and tips

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27 Jul 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go ebay.
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22 Jul 18, Barb (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I grow rosella plants in victoria?
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22 Jul 18, Shirley (Australia - temperate climate)
Could I grow Rosella in Tasmania I live in George Town on the coast & we do get a few frosts each year
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22 Jul 18, Damien Howard (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello I moved to Tasmania a few yrs back and was wondering will Rosella trees grow in Tasmania though spring and summer or is it just to cold a climate like Mangoes The two fruits I miss more than anything
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20 Jul 18, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can I grow roselle in kinglake vic
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12 Jun 18, Robert (Australia - tropical climate)
What’s the best time of year to pant the rosellas I’m in the innisfail area?
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18 Jun 18, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go back and read about rosellas here - the info is there.
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21 Apr 19, Mulysa (Australia - temperate climate)
Not such a dumb question, we are SA temperate and depending where you are in it can have a 4 to 8 week difference on sowing and harvesting times. Through experiance over 10 years we have learned to use both Arid and temperate depending on month it is. But that was with the guidance of a friends son who studies climate and agronomy.
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26 May 18, Graham Donnelly (Australia - tropical climate)
The first year I planted Rosella plants , that was three years ago The plants took a long time to flower and fruit These plants grew approximately 3.5 meters tall They did fruit ok though These were fertilised only with Searls Dianamiclifter pellets These plants were given to me by a friend . Last year I purchased seeds from CRT at Gordonvale These seeds shot in the pots in three days in good potting mix , they were planted out in about 3 weeks This time I mixed into the soil Sulfate of Potash as well as Dianamiclifter pellets And plenty of water The plants started flowering when 100mm 4 inches high and never stopped This year the same thing I think a lot depends on the Type of seeds and area you are in. Good Luck
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29 May 18, Mike Logan (Australia - temperate climate)
Small ones could have been dwarf rosella. I have snow peas growing one grows 4' high the other doesn't start flowering until it is 4-5' high and grows 8"+ high.
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I live at Kilcoy QLD (Somerset Council area) & I always plant my Rosella seeds in seed trays 2nd week in August & raise under black plastic.. They germinate pretty quickly this way which allows me to have them high enough to transplant into raised beds before end of September. This way I can usually start harvesting the rosella pods by end of Dec. They keep bearing until the first hint of winter (temperature drop or cool winds) they then turn up their toes & I pull them out..I rest my beds & grow a green manure using cheap canary seed which I trim back with whipper snipper to break down in to the soil.

- Rhonda AFFOO

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