Hibiscus: Help with Hibiscus new addiction, 1 by NCplantsman

NCplantsman wrote:
Greetings Sandy!

From your photo I think you have a red Hibiscus moscheutos 'Disco Belle'. These plants are compact growing to about 3ft or so high and have large disc flowers. The flowers have a long central staminal column with bright yellow pollen. The leaves are ovate and not divide as in the ‘Fireball’ variety.

Once the flower fades and falls you will see the immature seed pod which you have in your 3rd photo above. Provided the flowers got pollinated you will see the seedpod grow larger over the next few weeks and will look similar to the photo I have posted here. Once the seedpod turns brown and begins to split open you can collect the seeds and either sow them immediately or store them in the frig until next spring. Since you are in a colder climate and its September your best option is to collect the seeds when they are ripe(seedpod is brown) and store them for planting next spring unless you have a greenhouse. Hib seeds need warm soil(above 65 degrees) to sprout. Fresh seeds can sprout within a week if the temps are 80 or warmer.

Some hybrids will not produce any seedpods. Lord Baltimore is one that doesn’t. I grow lots of different kinds from seed each with various size blooms and colours. Just keep an eye on your plant to see what happens. About 3 days after the flowers drop you can tell because the seedpods will turn yellow and fall off if they are not viable. You can always take cuttings to make more plants. They root pretty easy using rooting powder or if the stems are old enough will root in water. Make sure you change the water every few days to keep algae from growing. I've heard adding a bit of hydrogen peroxide will help keep the algae under control too, but I've never tried it.