How to start Rose of Sharon

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idealpeggy Lexington, KY(Zone 6b) Jul 28, 2015

We are moving in a few weeks, and I want to take seeds or a "start" from a Rose of Sharon bush my Mom gave me before she died. What would be the best way at this point? Appreciate any help!!

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Diana_K Contra Costa County, CA(Zone 9b) Jul 28, 2015

Very quick research suggests it may be difficult.

Best results are with cuttings in early spring. After they have been dormant, they are ready to grow in all directions (including rooting).

I would go ahead and try now, and do a couple of different treatments.

1) Straight cuttings in sterilized sand or peat or a blend. Keep leaves on the cuttings, remove only the ones that would end up below the substrate.

2) Same, add rooting hormone.

3, 4) Same as above, but include a tent, cover, whatever, to act like a greenhouse. This may help them to keep their leaves longer. Watch out that it does not get too humid in there and start a fungus growing.

Research, and find out how to cold stratify the cuttings, and try them with that treatment.
Botanical name of Rose of Sharon is Hibiscus syriacus.

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idealpeggy Lexington, KY(Zone 6b) Aug 03, 2015

Thank you Diana K. I want to take something of Mother's with me. This shrub reminds me of her. Every time it blooms it's like Mom saying "Happy Summer"!!

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Sequoiadendron4 Lititz, PA(Zone 6b) Aug 03, 2015

I have heard that ROS does not always come true from seed and like Diana said, cuttings are difficult. They do start very easily from seed though, so perhaps you could take a handful of seeds and start them all. Wait until they are old enough to bloom and remove whatever isn't the color you were expecting.

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