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HIBISCUS sabdariffa
Rosella Cocktail Red
Bush Food
Family: Malvaceae
Characteristics: Shrub to 2 m spread 2.5 m
Seed per packet: Approx. 20
Seed per gram: Approx. 54
A fast-growing shrub with attractive upright red stems that have been cultivated for around 6,000 years for a range of foods, medicines and fibre.
The plant can also be grown as an ornamental for its decorative red stalks, spectacular flower and attractive calyces that can also be used in floral arrangements.
The dark green leaves make a superb contrast with the red stem. Delicate white to pale-yellow flowers with deep red centres occur for the leaf axil during late summer. Flowers are followed with very attractive and eye-catching shiny red, fleshy calyces containing the seed.
*The calyx is rich in citric acid and pectin and so is useful for making jams, jellies etc. It is also used to add a red colour, to flavour herb teas and can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.
Native to West Africa although it is now widely grown in developing countries around the world.
Prefers well-drained moist soil in a protected sunny position. Frost and drought tender.
*Please Note: Although many of the traditional Bush Food and Medicine plants are now commercially produced in various forms we recommend you research these before using them as any form of food or medicine. Some parts of the plant may not be edible or some may need to be prepared before they are safe to eat or use in any way. We do our best to describe their traditional & modern uses. It is the purchaser's responsibility to ensure they are fit for their intended use.
Grow notes:
Requiring a warm growing season of at least 5 months. If plants are started under glass or in a mini greenhouse it is possible to mature Rosella in cooler districts in most seasons.
Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 18-24°C
- Soak in tepid water overnight.
- Sow seed on a porous seed-raising mix and cover lightly.
- Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
- The growing medium should be well draining but should remain damp between watering. Keep moist but not too wet as the seed may rot. Do not let the growing mix completely dry out.
- Germination should occur in 10-28 days depending on the temperature and conditions.
General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.
We now stock a range of Propagation Accessories including the popular Aquamiser Propagation Kits, Pots, Native and Forestry Tubes, Trays, Labels and more.
We can only ship these items to Australian locations, international customers please request shipping quotation prior to purchasing.
Importing to Tasmania Prohibited