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Hardiness: USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Bloom Color: Bright Yellow Maroon (Purple-Brown) White/Near White
Bloom Time: Mid Summer
Foliage: Deciduous Shiny/Glossy-Textured
Other details: Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Propagation Methods: From woody stem cuttings From seed; sow indoors before last frost From seed; direct sow after last frost From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
Seed Collecting: Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
On Jul 8, 2008, bermudakiller from Union Grove, AL wrote:
I have some 20 plants that survived last winter. I am in 7b, only lost 2 with medium mulch, already anywhere from 6 " to 4' and 2 in bloom. by end of June, i like this plant a lot, not only as an ornamental but as food. leaves are quite nice as a green, but the blossoms beat okra as a wrap, or in salads.
I am growing this for the first time in Morden, Surrey in UK, they germinated very quickly in two days. I grew them in cells, one to a cell. I have just planted them in the garden will let you know how this goes. The weather is awful here raining and cold.
On Oct 1, 2004, frostweed from Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) wrote:
In Arlington Texas it is a tender perennial, it dies to the ground and comes back the following year. We love this plant.
Josephine Keeney. [HYPERLINK@www.texasstar.org]
On Oct 4, 2003, sbarr from Albany (again), NY (Zone 5b) wrote:
I grew this as an annual in zone 5. I started them late winter and transplanted them after frost.
Germination - seemed pretty slow, several weeks. Don't lose hope!
Transplanting - seedlings may need to be staked for the first month or two, they can topple very easily.
Height - Put them in the BACK of the garden. They can easily reach 6 feet tall. My mistake - I put these tiny seedlings "front and center" and they dwarfed many things behind them.
Collecting seeds - After the flower dies, you will get a prickly pod that eventually turns brown. When the seeds are ready, you can easily split the pod seams with your nail and scoop out the seeds.
On Jan 4, 2003, Shirley1md from Ellicott City, MD (Zone 7a) wrote:
Tropical Hibiscus Abelmoschus Manihot can be grown as an annual in zones colder than 8b. Most likely, it is a perennial Hibiscus in warmer zones. The flowers are a lovely pale yellow with a dark purple/maroon center. Whichever zone you live in, it is a lovely plant to add to your garden.
I grow this plant in Hawaii, and use it's leaves in salad, and as wrappers for food, "tortilla style". I find it easy to propagate by rooting "woody stems" (I'm no botanist, but I think that's correct) in water, or putting them directly into the ground (and watering them a lot.) I've been told they grow "bushy" for some people, but mine grow tall and stalky.
On Sep 6, 2001, talinum from Kearney, NE (Zone 5a) wrote:
TP used as annual
This species is another tropical perennial that is grown as an annual. It grows 5-6' tall and bears 6" flowers in late summer. It has palmately divided leaves.
Useful as an accent plant or a plant for the back of the border.
Plants should be spaced 2' to 3' apart in full sun or partial shade.
The flowers turn to mush at the first frost.
Native to tropical Asia
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
, Arley, Alabama Union Grove, Alabama Martinez, California Merced, California Wilmington, Delaware Bowersville, Georgia Brunswick, Georgia Cordele, Georgia Lagrange, Georgia Greenville, Indiana Ewing, Kentucky New Orleans, Louisiana Randolph, Massachusetts Mason, Michigan Mathiston, Mississippi New Milford, New Jersey Albany, New York Thornville, Ohio Wren, Ohio Murrells Inlet, South Carolina Saint Helena Island, South Carolina Crossville, Tennessee Pocahontas, Tennessee Alice, Texas Arlington, Texas Pasadena, Texas Kennewick, Washington