Hibiscus rosa sinensis grow and care – shrub and possible as small tree of the genus Hibiscus also known as China rose plant or Hibiscus, Hibiscus rosa sinensis perennial evergreen plant and can grow for the edible leaves and flowers but mostly as ornamental plant and can be hedge plant, can grow in mediterranean, subtropical, tropic climate and growing in hardiness zone 10+ and with the right overwinter care in hardiness zone 9.
Leaves edible color green in oval shape and serrated margin.
Flower edible with five petals, the size of the flower 8-15 cm, flowers color can be: red, pink, yellow, white, orange, light blue or light purple. Most of the flower the inner color darker then the outer and can be in different colors
Hibiscus rosa sinensis for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy
Requirements for Hibiscus rosa sinensis growing and care:
Rich soil, organic matter, mulch, moist soil
How to care: Add fertilize at least once, put mulch to keep the soil moist, organic matter and humus, prune once a year
What is the best way to start growing? Plant / Seed / Vegetative Reproduction – cutting
How to propagate by cutting: Propagating by cutting better to start in the early spring or with temperature of 20-26C (68-79F) and better before the plant start to grow after the dormant, better to choose stems that not going to bloom, requirements: moist soil, high humidity, peat soil, hormone for root growth, highly recommend to use green house (or small plastic box with holes) it will take few weeks.
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? No, but with cutting ensure the color of the flower and the size of the plants, not hard to start by seeds
Difficulties or problems when growing: ?
Recommended planting season? Spring in hardiness zone 9, spring to summer in hardiness zone 10a, spring to autumn in hardiness zone 10b-11a, all year in hardiness zone 11b+
How to plant: Dig hole bigger 50% more than the roots ball, add to the hole, organic matter, dead leaves and hummus put back some soil and mix it, after this put the cover lightly but strong enough that won’t fall put support for the plant if needed, if the plant is not stable consider to prune, water it twice in the first day and every day for two weeks put water more than the regular, better to add the fertilizer after the plant establish.
Pests and diseases: Aphids, mealy bugs, mites
Pruning season: Autumn / Winter
How to prune: Weak branches, dead flower and leaves and inner branches that not blooming
Size of the plant? 1-3 m, 3-9 feet, possible to design it as small tree
Growth speed in optimal condition: Fast growing
Water requirement: Average amount of water to big amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun
Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in pots, planter, flowerpot or containers: Yes, when growing in pot need 50% bigger than the roots ball, every time that switch the container to bigger switch some of the soil to new soil until arrive to the desirable container size, after that every few years better to switch part of the soil and cut some roots, no need to take the plant out just from the side of the container, can grow in container of 10-20L (2-4 gallons) can grow in bigger, soil can be potting soil, mixture of peat soil and perlite or other light mixed soil, water it regularly and care when put bottom for the pot be aware not to let the water stay there too many days, need to add humus, organic matter, fertilizer and mulch to cover the soil to keep it moist.
Blooming information
Bloom season: Spring / Summer / Autumn (in the tropic all year)
General information about the flower Edible flower with five petals, the size of the flower 8-15 cm, the flower color can be: red, pink, yellow, white, orange, light blue or light purple. Most of the flower the inner color darker then the outer
Pollination is done by: Bees, flies
Uses of Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves: Beverage
Edible leaves
Bloom season: Spring / Summer / Autumn (in the tropic all year)
How to harvest the leaves? After plant establish, cut the tender leaves
Information about leaves: Green leaves in rhomboid or lobed shape
Uses of Hibiscus rosa sinensis leaves: Beverage, cook, rolled leaves
How to grow Hibiscus rosa sinensis from seeds
Sowing requirement: Moist soil, 20-30C (68-85F), humidity, full sun and possible in half sun and need high humidity
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry and dark location
Sowing season: Spring / Summer / Autumn (more important the temperature) and in location with cold winter better not in the autumn
How to plant: Plant in soil that stay moist and don’t let the soil dry
Planting spacing: 3*5cm to transplant and better not to transplant it before 5 leaves, direct it’s depend 1*1m (40*40)
Depth of Sowing: 0.5-1cm (0.25-0.5 inch) but cover lightly and don’t push
Conditions for seeds germinate: Full sun, moist soil
Watering requires for Seeds: Average amount of water / Big amount of water
Germination time: 14-25 days
Condition of seedling: After five leaves possible to add fertilizer and to put mulch
