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Post by Drahkk on May 1, 2012 19:57:21 GMT -5
I picked up some roselle seeds on a trade over the winter. Information about them seems to be sparse at best. They're totally new to me; basically I saw them on someone's trade list as an edible and said what the heck, I'd try them. Can anyone with experience give me an idea what to expect? I know they need a long season; approximately how long? Any recipes? I know you harvest the calyces, but exactly what is a calyx? I assume they're the "fruit"... More immediately, do they usually germinate extremely quickly? I planted them in a whiskey barrel literally 48 hours ago, and a few of them ARE ALREADY UP. That almost seems unnatural. They look just like okra seedlings, though I guess that makes sense, same family and all...
Input, anyone?
MB
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Post by mnjrutherford on May 3, 2012 10:27:55 GMT -5
Pretty interesting looking plant. I read the Wikipedia entry and it was pretty informative, but I'm guessing you want growing info? I would advise to treat it a bit like cotton and okra. That would give you a range to work with as you observe the process this year. Saving seeds should be a snap.
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Post by Drahkk on May 3, 2012 15:21:01 GMT -5
That was pretty much what I'd concluded. I'd originally intended to plant them in the main garden with my okra, but when planting time came I totally forgot them. Didn't remember until I saw John's post requesting seed. Now I'm just praying they'll have enough root space in that whiskey barrel. That, and I'm wondering if anyone has done anything with them other than make tea from the calyces. And I was wondering if that super fast germination was typical. I'm not used to that kind of speed in anything but weeds.
Edit: I just pulled up that wiki (kinda embarrassed I didn't look there first) and saw that the leaves are edible too, among other uses. Now I'm feeling optimistic about finding a permanent new addition to my garden! BTW Jo, I still have a little seed left if you'd like to try a few.
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Post by 12540dumont on Jun 22, 2017 13:53:27 GMT -5
Any of you Antipodeans ever raise roselle? I also received some seeds and set them out. I know, they should go in at tomato planting time, but I don't have frost till Oct (if then). Someone gave me a jar of them in syrup and they were pretty good. Anyone know how to process the bast fiber in them? Inquiring minds want to knnow.
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Post by blueadzuki on Jun 22, 2017 14:14:12 GMT -5
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Post by blueadzuki on Jul 24, 2017 9:37:10 GMT -5
Anyone know if they are day length sensitive. The last time I saw a plant, it was on it's way out and I think it was mid to late summer, but that was a potted plant. So I don't know if it just takes a while (in which case I can start them this winter and then bring them out in the spring for fruit production or it actually needs short day (in which case I suppose I have to wait for the spring grow them over the summer and then take them in to flower NEXT winter.)
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Post by walt on Jul 24, 2017 10:52:12 GMT -5
I learned about these in Niger back in 1978.
The leaves, which are rather tart, were often added to the stew that went on the nightly cooked sorghum. But we who were new there liked it mostly as a sweetened tea, which tasted like cranapple juice.
It is easy to grow. Pretty drought tolerant, and heat tolerant. It is pretty, some having flowers much like okra, others having light red-purple flowers with darker centers.
I think they are generally day-length sensitive, but I have seen day-length insensitive seed advertised.
I have grown it here in the USA. The kind I had was long season, but started to produce before they were brought inside for the winter.
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Post by 12540dumont on Jul 31, 2017 11:20:50 GMT -5
Mine took awhile to get going but they are knee high now, and awfully pretty. Green leaves with a red margin!
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