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

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25 Mar 09, karen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My mother have always grown rosella's.We both planted our plants the same time ,same climate and bought them from the same place.We planted them at the end Oct 2008.She has just harvested her fruits ,but can't understand why mine has no sighn of fruits yet.They are very large bushy,healthy looking plants.Does anyone have any ideas.Do they need a boost of fertilizer?
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15 Mar 09, Aaron (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, people, am very happy my rosella plant are bearing flowers redish, its rainning season here in TANZANIA. I hope to cultivate more rosella when my research acomplished.
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14 Mar 09, kath (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have just bought 2 rosella plants someone told me that after one season you pull them out is this right? thanks
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08 Mar 09, Lara (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi Anne, by the sounds of it your rosellas have root rot, im not ssure what you can do about it, maybe GOOGLE it lol
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08 Mar 09, Lara (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, im growing rosella for the first time this year, the bush is loaded with buds...I bought the seedling at bunnings. if anyone wants to buy rosella seeds i would reccomend Cornucopia seeds and plants. to find it easier just type in rosella to the seach thingy at the top of their page. hope it helps
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28 Feb 09, Aaron Mrikaria (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I would like to exchange ideas with gardeners about growing rosella and other vegitables. l have 100 planted rosella tree. 2 months old.
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28 Feb 09, margaret (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
my rosella bushes are growing into very healthy bushes but there are no flowers or fruitby now i am sure they should be loaded
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22 Feb 09, Cass (Australia - temperate climate)
We have 3 rosella bushes that are growing out of control. Do we need to prune them and when is best. How many bushes do you need for home use jam.
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05 Feb 09, Anne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why are my rosella plants wilting. There are no obvious signs of insect infestation. Could it be nematodes in the soil?
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31 Jan 09, YESSE (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I started to grow rosella in DAR ES SALAAM TANZANIA this january, my intension is to do research and making combination with other plant to get new product.
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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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