I'm always on the look out for different types of Hibiscus. One of my very favorites are the H. sabdariffas. I always grow a few of these every year because the dried calyx's make an awesome tea.

This is H. sabdariffa 'Jamaican Tea' and 'Thai Red'. The stems and pods are gorgeous.

Those are simply beautiful, Anne. I love roselle teas of various kinds. And so good for you.

I love the Roselle tea either cold or hot. I call it Hibiscus Lemonade since it's so tart.

Anne, those are beautiful.

Thanks! They really are striking with the red stems and green leaves.

Those are beautiful, Anne.
Is this one that you start each year or is it overwintered?
Rick

I grow them every year. I was just looking for a picture of the whole bush and can't find a good one! The first picture was taken in May 2011 and the 2nd picture August 2011. I'll get better pictures this year.

Anne, where do you find the seed source?
Rick

I home grow my seeds .. I got the original seeds, gosh, years and years ago .. I'm running low on the Jamaican Tea but have lots of the Thai Red if you'd like some. T-mail me with your mailing address and I'll be happy to send you and Tee some seeds.

I got seed for H. sabdariffa numerous years ago from ECHO
http://echonet.org/ (main site)
http://www.echobooks.org/ (sales site)

As far as I know there was no variety name. They were a part of ECHO's program to help feed the world's hungry and so were grown for the "fruit" rather than appearance. Unfortunately I have no pics of the fruits, plants or flowers.

It has been several years since I grew them (my personally collected seed are dated 2004), so I was afraid I had lost them. A few days ago I planted multiple seed in a large pot hoping I would get at least some germination. I should have pre-soaked the seed but just wanted to get some in soil. Luckily, at least one seed is now sprouting. Now that I know there is at least some viability, I'm pre-soaking some seed to sow a second pot. The first batch I purposely grossly over-planted (I have a lot of seed) and just sprinkled the seed on the surface, scratched them in with a stick, then watered them in. A fair number of them are fully exposed. I'll plant the second batch with more care.

If you are interested (and if there is reasonable germination) I would be happy to trade a batch of these seed for a few of the 'Thai Red'. I'd like to have another variety for comparison.

The last time I grew them out (obviously 2004) I waited too long to harvest the fruit and they had started drying out and turning woody, It never occurred to me then, but good to know, that the dry calyxes can be used for tea. I remember the year previous the juicy calyxes were quite good. I rather lost touch with gardening for a few years, but since I have become re-energized in the past couple years, I'm anxious to get the H. sabdariffa going again.

I'd love to see which ones you have - there are about 4 cultivars .. I've found the H. sabdariffa has a pretty long shelf life. I get my best results by taking a pair of cuticle scissors (they are very sharp and bowed) and cutting a thin strip of seed coat off the rounded part of the seeds - soaking not needed.

I tried the same planting technique as this one four or five years ago, hoping for a few seedlings, but the pot was overwhelmed by massive viability. If just a few had sprouted I likely would have salvaged them in a timely manner. Unfortunately I procrastinated dealing with the mass and through distraction and neglect ended up losing the whole batch. I figured I'd try again the next growing season, but since I have a projects list big enough for four full-time gardeners (and I have only me part-time), I'm just now getting some started. Once again, it was a matter of just getting some seed in soil before I lose another season!

I just started the seed soaking, but I do have a small but heavy duty pair of scissors. Thanks for the idea; I think I'll go back and see about putting a nick in them. Should be quicker/easier than sandpaper would have been (which I had already ruled out bothering with). I'll still soak the seed for a couple hours after, but it will certainly shorten soaking time. If the seed were fresher, I'd forgo the soaking, but since they are so old, I want to give them the best chance I can.

I use the cuticle scissor for soft/semi-hard coat seeds and toe nail clippers for hard coat seeds for nicking. When using the cuticle scissors you want to turn them around so the bowed side is toward the seed coat which allows for pretty precise cuts. As always, take small 'bites'.

@Xeramtheum, Anne, I just got seeds for Thai red so I can make tea (kombucha) but I was under the impression if I saved seeds they would not come true. So this is incorrect? That would be great if it is. I am so anxious to grow them. When I get back from MI I will be starting mine. When do you start yours?

They breed true to the parent. I usually begin my first wave of seeds about the end of January beginning of February. I use heat mats.

Good to know. Thank you!

Just wanted to remind everyone that Hibiscus sabdariffa is plant of the day. Posting a local report can earn you an acorn. Also I often award extra acorns at random, for post made in any of the plant of the day threads.