Two different dark leaved hibiscus

Hibiscus acetosella? This is called "jamaica" down here(pronounced ha-Mica).
It is very hard to get a picture that shows the true color of the flowers, they are so dark they almost look black.

Another dark leafed one, same growing habit, slightly different leaf color. Blooms in the fall. It isn't dark red like the first one, but a peachy sort of color.

lovely, cala. having had this plant for the first time this year, I was astounding that the tiny seedling grew out to be of 7ft tall in one season!

I think I have the one with the dark flower also. I have a ton of buds, but seems I miss the perfect photo opp. I'm also watching for seeds pods. I've have so many neighbors ask me for some. Can this plant be started from cuttings?

The flowers are open in the morning but close as soon as the hot sun gets on them. They will stay open all day on cloudy days.
Seeds form a pod where the flowers were. The pod takes forever to ripen and has stickery hairs on it. It can be rooted from cuttings. Keep cuttings very moist(soggy) to root.

On a recent trip to the Rio Grande valley near Mission, TX, while exploring my friend's property, I discovered a really beautiful and interesting native plant. After a little research, I was able to identify it as Hibiscus cardiophyllus (martianus). However, I have since been unable to find a commercial source for seeds or plants of this species. Does anyone know of a grower who has either plants or seeds available? Paul

I have that plant. It's pretty but a bit fussy.

What are the problems that this plant has in cultivation? Do you offer seeds or plants for sale? Paul

It seems to prefer a little shade. I'm not sure why they die, they just do. My neighbor is into native plants. He's lost several of this plant.

I found this plant at the Brownsville TX "Pulga" (flea market). It is available at Alba's Resaca Nursery in San Benito, Texas. It is a prolific bloomer, but the blooms are only good in the morning, after noon they fold in on themselves and are only good for one day. The color of the flower is like a beautiful deep red wine. I have other pictures if anyone is interested.

Lueur, I love to go to that nursery! He has all kinds of neat stuff.
Which part of Brownsville do you live in?

cala i am calling that my florida hollyhock....do yours get almost 15 feet tall and very small pink blossom....and seems to pop up everyplace?

Junglebob are you asking about the hibiscus with the dark leaves? If so, they do get really tall and wide and drop their seeds everywhere. I have one kind(H. acetosella) with almost black flowers and the other (H. sabdariffa) has salmony flowers. The flowers are medium sized, about 3 inches across.
The H. cardiophyllus(martianus) is only about 2-3 ft tall, flowers are scarlett and an inch or inch and half wide.
I have seeds for both dark leaved varieties and will have a few seeds of H. cardiophyllus as soon as the pods get ripe.

Cala, I never noticed any seedpods on mine. If I had some and they fell all over the place, does that mean I will have seedlings all over the place? Has that been your experience?

also, I cut my three huge plants to about 1 ft from ground, and because weather has been spring-like, I noticed new leaves appearing. I wonder if this plant will bloom again in 2006. I've read where you're supposed to grow from seed ea. year, so I am a little confused.

Vossner, yes if you had pods(the pods are little and kind of pointy and attached right to the stem beside a leaf) you should have seedlings pop up in spring. After our freak snow last year I cut mine back and they sprouted new growth in the spring. The plants grown from seed are prettier than the ones wintered over. The wintered over ones had huge stalks, but seemed more brittle than the new seedlings.
If you need seeds just let me know, I'm going out today and gather some more of the prickly little pods. (they have hairs on them which hurt my fingers but I hate wearing gloves).

ah, that 20-second snow storm. So memorable, LOL

Thanks, Cala. I think I will chance it and rely on possibility that I might get seedlings. If indeed I get seedlings, I can always replace the "old" plants with the newbies. If that doesn't work out, I might come begging for seeds next Dec. LOL

So sweet of you!

Look around the plant for seedlings, mine started coming up in either January or February. They are easy to transplant where you want them.

Susie, I would like some seeds for both - send me your wish list if interested. I collected seeds for the double mauve r-o-s bush yesterday, so if you want those, let me know. Thanks!

Kay, I put seeds for H. acetosella and H. sabdariffa in the batch I sent out last week. I don't think I told you I was putting those in, lol.

Cala,
4 of your Hibiscus acetosella seeds have germinated for me =) I sowed 6 of them to start with. Since i'm having good luck with the method i tried (nicking and soaking them) I will probably do the rest this weekend. The other var. you sent haven't sprouted yet though. Thanks a ton!!!

That is great news! They usually take a long time to germinate.

Actually i looked at them again and its the sabdariffa var. that is germinated, not the acetosella... but still very exciting!!

The others shouldn't be far behind then!

Cala, I thought you'd find this interesting. (see below) BTW, I cut my three huge plants to the ground. according to this person, they should come back. Also, I discovered some 2 yr old seeds and decided to go ahead and start them.

I consider this an experiment. If last year's plants produce in a less than spectacular manner, at least I will have my newly grown from seed to replace them.

I am hooked on this plant. extremely showy and extremely easy to grow.

http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICAN-ROSE-HIBISCUS-Red-Leaf-Hibiscus_W0QQitemZ4356597465QQcategoryZ3184QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This message was edited Feb 15, 2006 9:27 AM

Wow, 10 seeds for $3.00, I let a fortune fall on the ground, lol.
I also see that mine is not H. sabdariffa. Geez, another boo boo in seed labeling. Grrrrrrrrr. I double checked it in plant files before I posted.

What is it if not H. sabdariffa?

I guess it is just a different color of H. acetosella. I am going to use common names from now on- "Salmony colored red leaf hibiscus!" and the other one will be "dark red almost black flowered red leaf hibiscus"........then someone will shorten it to DRAB flowered red leaf hibiscus and I'll be confused again!

Susie, if you have seeds of "dark red, almost black flowered red leaf"
would like to have some. Let me know.
thanks,
Chris

Yes, I have some seeds left.

@Calalily:
I´m so impressed by your plant! Is there still a chance to get some seed of the "dark-red-almost-black-flowered-red-leaf Hibiscus???
I live in Greece and would love to grow this one ...
In return, I could offer you seed of Hibiscus mutabilis (doubble flower or single, turning during the day from white to rose), Alcea rosea with nearly black flowers, or other seeds (if you tell me, what you are interested in) or just money in an envelope ...

...crossing my fingers!

Lixi

Lixi, yes I have seeds left. I would love some of the almost black alcea rosea seeds.

Calalily..I would like some of the dark red hibiscus seeds, You might remember me as Rebel888, Changed my garden name to Roseman2.

Brugie sent me some yellow hibiscus seeds that has to be planted every year. Beautiful flower with a purple center, Will have some seeds this fall.

All I have left to trade is mixed rose seeds.

Let me know if you have any left & I will send you A bubble mailer.
Jerry.

Jerry, yes I have enough seeds for you too.

Wonderful Calalily!!!
I´ll send you my adress.

I am interested in different varieties of hardy hibiscus.Can anyone tell me a good source for them?