Advice on hardy hibiscus

I started some hardy hibiscus over the winter 2004. Now I have planted them in the ground and they are about 4 foot tall, very tall and spindly. They have big seed pods on the ends, they are still green.

First.. When do you collect the seeds? When the pod dries up?
Second.. How far back to I prune these so they fill out better?

Thanks for any advice

K999, The seed is ready when the pod is brown and cracks open. I store the seed in a paper envelope in a cool basement.
What variety are your Hibiscus. I grow the Disco Bell and like their 30 inch hight and 6 - 8 inch flowers. I have extra seed of these if you would like.
Andy P

This message was edited Nov 2, 2005 6:01 PM

Andy, wow those are beautiful. I got seeds in a trade and those are the ones I started. One was a manihot yellow, I later read that it is not hardy to my area, we'll see. The other one is just an unnamed pink one. I would love some of your seed of the Disco Bell. I have an area in the front of the house that is all sun and that is a perfect size for that area. Are you in the address exchange? How much postage should I put on the SASE. Thanks for the offer! i had really good luck at starting the seed that I had, they seemed rather easy it get going.

Check your DMail.

Hey Heaven, I can send you some seeds if you tell me how to grow from seeds. I have seeds of Rose of Sharon, disco belle, old yella, blue river II but I don't know how to start them from seeds. You can D-Mail me if you like. Thanks

Hibiscus was really easy for me to start. I soaked them in a mix of peroxide and water and then planted them in potting soil. They took off really good.