Growing Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle

Hibiscus Subdantta : Malvaceae / the mallow family

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Not recommended for growing in New Zealand - cool/mountain 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

This frost tender annual grows to a height of 2 metres. It is grown for its red fruit which make delicious jam or jelly.

Rosella needs a growing season of at least 6 months warm weather so is best suited to tropical or sub-tropical areas. Can be started under glass in cooler areas. Water well and give a dressing of fertiliser when flowering starts.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rosella

The large flowers produce a crimson enlarged calyx.
Use the fleshy red calyx, without the green seed pod to make jam or jelly.

Your comments and tips

16 Sep 24, Clive Aucott (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): Does Roselle go by other names?
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26 Sep 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): They generally give other names in the heading. Jam Plant.
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23 Mar 24, Michael (Australia - temperate climate): What other plants can you grow with this plant to maximise the ground space.
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25 Mar 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): They need their space and nutrient from that space to produce a good crop.
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18 Oct 23, Anne (Australia - tropical climate): Can I freeze the raw fruit until I have enough to be able to make jam.
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19 Oct 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate): yes
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06 Sep 23, Wendy Paterson (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate): If anyone is looking for Roselle/Rosella seed in South Africa go to livingseeds online store.
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24 May 23, Iman (Canada - Zone 6b Temperate Warm Summer climate): Does roselle grow in Edmonton as a perennial or annual?
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25 May 23, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate): Winter in Edmonton would be too cold for Roselle to survive, so treat it as an annual.
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10 Feb 23, Noelene Mayfield and Gordon Mayfield (Australia - sub-tropical climate): What would be eating my rosella bushes also ants on the trees. Should i fertilizer with what Thanks Noelene
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Pick rosella when as long as your thumbs first digit. Rinse, cut small slice off base, place thumbs between half way section of calyx and peel back separating seed case from fruit. Place in heavy base pot, water to cover (less is more), simmer until fruit breaks down. Add lemon juice, tblspn per cup of jam, add sugar approx 1/4 cup to cup of jam (the sweetness you like) and bring to rolling boil. always stirring, never allow to stick. When syrupy, coating back of spoon thickly, take of heat, cool slightly and jar. Put jars in oven at approx 110 degrees for 5-10 mins prior to jam pour to sterilize.

- Anne

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GardenGrow

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle

Hibiscus Subdantta : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rosella

Your comments and tips

GardenGrow

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle

Hibiscus Subdantta : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rosella

Your comments and tips

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