Growing Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle

Hibiscus Subdantta : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	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

30 Mar 12, Kathy Hunt (USA - Zone 8a climate): Is there a source for the rosella seeds in the US? If so, how can I acquire some?
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14 May 12, sussanne (Australia - tropical climate): we have abundent rosella bushes growing . they are now full of fruit and flowers. it is now mid may . I want to make jam with the fruit. whendo i know what it the best time to pick them, I live outer northern Brisbane region. many thanks sussanne
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14 May 12, (Australia - temperate climate): If you look at the comments for Rosella in April 2008, there is one which answers your question in detail.
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27 Mar 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Have a rosella bush only been in a month or so doing fabulously and now i have fruit when do i pick the fruit is it just when they are large. The shrub has thrived and i am in brisbane
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23 Mar 12, Suzette (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I have planted some rosella bushes and they have grown wonderfully, but when do they start to bear fruit. I live in Brisbane
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08 Mar 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I have had two lots of Rosella seedlings from Big W which have not produced flowers.I have never had this trouble before and would like some hints of what I may be doing wrong.Thank you
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21 Mar 12, Lynn T Gladstone (Australia - temperate climate): I have 30 plants that I started in October. I have just harvested about 50 rosellas and made 5 jars of jam. My soil is not that great but since giving the plants a good feed they have perked up. They do not like wet feet. I have lost 1 plant due to my accidentally disturbing its roots. I have thousands of little holes in the leaves which I think are grasshopper nibblings. I have noticed some grubs in the last 2 days and have 1to identify. It has yellow stripes longways and black dots side by side across its length with white hairs. Does anyone know what they are?
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15 Feb 12, Gwenne (Australia - temperate climate): Rosella bushes in since November 2011 healthy but not flowering
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19 Mar 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Same here - in fact we have lost a few really healthy Rosella bushes - think it was the excessive rain - the trunk of the plants went black
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14 Jan 12, Heather (Australia - sub-tropical climate): How do I make my Rosella Bush flower and fruit. I have had it fo4 6 months now, it's about 4 foot tall and looks very healthy but no flowers or fruit. Help!
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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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Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle

Hibiscus Subdantta : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Your comments and tips

Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle

Hibiscus Subdantta : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Your comments and tips

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