Hibiscus Acetosella

Hibiscus Acetosella, is this the same as Jungle Red, and Red Shield??

I have about 13 Jungle Red growing that I started from seed this winter, and the other day I ordered Red Shield seeds from Parkseed. Now I am wondering if they are the same? I do love the leaves on my Jungle Red, and they grow so fast. Every other day I am pinching off the top leaves, and sometimes every day.

those leaves are awesome!!!

I bought Hibiscus acetosella seeds from Parks under the name of Red Shield. Yours looks nice.

Thanks a lot Badseed, I have had real good luck with them. They grow like a weed, so fast. I have been giving them away to my family and friends. They like the color of the leaves and there shape, they kinda remind me of red maple tree leaves.

You stop that! I started some from seed in late Feb or early March and they are only about 2-3 inches tall! LOL When do they take off?

Michelle, are you giving them lots of light, warmth and water?

They are still in the greenhouse but I am about to move them out. The people at the fish hatchery and water garden store have theirs growing in the pond and in water containers. Hmmmm.

is that the one you eat the leaves?

ely

I think this is the one they eat the leaves of. I know they make agua frescas with the red flowers.

Okay, I have the red leaved one to. I will get pic. soon. I also have species w/ a light green leaf and pink flowers. Both species will rule the world. I still have seeds coming up every where from the red one. Marilynne

I would love to see a photo of the light green leaf and pink flower one you have. My red leaved one hasn't bloomed yet I read it blooms later in the summer.

Okay here is a pic. of me Hibiscus. I have to go out almost daily and pull up newbies. They usually bloom from august thru sept.

Wow what a beautiful plant. I would love to have a start. After she blooms if you have any extra seeds please keep me in mine. She is gorgeous.

Hi Linda, Thanks for starting this thread. I have a question for you experienced growers of the acetosella.
I have two acetosella about 12" tall. The weather here has not been very good. It's been on the cool side so they are not growing very fast. I want to pinch them back before they get to leggy. Will doing so make them more bushy and not gain height? Your help is appreciated.
-Thanks-
Kin

I did pinch mine back about 3 to 4 new leaves, and now they are really bushy looking. I have one I will take a picture of and post. I did notice the one that is real bushy is in a bigger pot then the rest. Not for sure if that makes the difference or not. Yes these are the ones you can eat the leaves they tell me they look really good in salad.

Thanks Linda.
I would enjoy seeing how it looks now.

Here is the one in the biggest pot. They do tend to grow fast.

Here is a group shot of the ones in the smaller pots. There are 4 there 1 sitting in front of the middle one. Now these were all started from seed last winter. I started out with 14 I believe and have ended up with 7. Every time some ones comes to the house and makes a comment on how much they love the plant, the color and the ideal that the leaves are edible, then they go home with me. It makes me feel good that someone else likes them other then myself.

They all look fantastic! Really like how they look being pinched back and making them bushy. Thanks so much for taking the time to take the pictures and show them. You have been so helpful.
I see one of your brugs snuck in the shot...LOL They look good next to each other. I'm the same way when someone comments about a plant I give them one if I have extras. It's just a joy being able to share.
Thanks again Linda

You see all the wire around the base of the plants. I have 4 baby kittens that think my flowers is there bathroom. I told my H one night I was going to kill those kitties if they didn't stay out of my flowers, my husband laughed and said you would never do that even if you could catch them. He is right I do sometimes talk mean, but I would never hurt any of my pets, or any others. So we rig up the chicken wire or hail screen to discourage them against getting into the pot. And it works.

LOL
I do too and use the same wire.
For the same reason!!!!!
My Darn Darlin Cats love to get into the pots.
I curse at them and they just Give that Purrr Purr Me LOOK......

In case you don't know this is what the flower is suppose to look like, I can't wait for them to bloom. They say they bloom later then other hibiscus.

That is a beautiful Color.
I have a long time to wait for that to be seen. And if our weather conts. this way I may never get a chance for blooms....LOL

I will send you pictures when and if mind bloom.

Edit to say if I do get flowers I will have seeds to share. The first for me to have something to share.

This message was edited Jun 17, 2005 12:57 PM