Seed Sources

Are there any seed sources for these beautiful blooms out there other than ebay or are the only options to buy a plant or try to make your own?

The Hibiscus Society offers seeds, and I think there are probably some places on Ebay and elsewhere that have them too. But be careful of Ebay, there are some sellers out there who are scam artists and you'll be lucky if you even get viable seeds from them. The thing to know is that the gorgeous tropical hibiscus do not come true from seed, the reputable sellers will tell you this up front, but the scammers won't bother to mention that and will let you believe that the seeds will give you the same (often Photoshopped) flowers that you see in their listing. So if there are specific plants that you really like, your best bet is to buy the plants, but if you don't mind a little mystery, some of the seedlings can give you really unique gorgeous flowers (but of course others may be plainer and more boring)

You can see how different the flowers can be in Kyle's thread.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/844847/

All those babies came from one seed pod; I think it is amazing.

What does a hibiscus seed pod look like? How do I know when it is mature? And how do I know whether the seed will grow or not? Is it just trial and error?

Sorry for all the questions...New to this! lol

If it's tropical hibiscus, the seeds will grow fine, you just won't know what the flowers will look like until they grow up since they are hybrids and won't come true from seed (but I remember on your post in one of the other forums that you were growing at least one hardy hibiscus too, some of those will come true from seed). So assuming your seeds came from a reputable source (not one of the Ebay scammers) then there's no reason your seeds shouldn't grow. Sorry I can't help you with your seed pod questions--my Black Dragon has some seeds developing right now but they're definitely not ready yet (still green)

Excellent. I think I will start searching for some more mature plants so I can start playing with seeds sooner! =D

I can only speak for the tropicals since I don't grow the hardies, but if you are growing them and really want seeds, your best bet is to hand pollinate. I'm not purposely trying to get seeds, just letting nature take its course, and out of a collection of about 50-ish hibiscus plants that have been blooming on a fairly regular basis all year round (and which all live together in very close quarters), I've got a whopping total of 2 developing seedpods. So if you want to improve your odds, get out the paintbrush!

Liz, my Black Dragon sets huge seed pods all the time but the seed is never viable. A real bummer.

This is a seed pod on Tarantella.

This is a seed pod on American Maid; I removed the sepals so moisture would not accumulate in there and rot the pod.

I havne't a clue if either of these pods will actually have viable seed in them.

That's a bummer...I'm going to go cut those pods off as soon as I get home so maybe the plant will go back to blooming! I didn't know there were some that didn't produce viable seeds, I thought the only "problem" was that they don't come true from seed.

ardesia, how do you know if the seeds are viable other than getting them to germinate? Newbie question.

Dorothy

LOL, I asked right here, just like you. It was a while ago and one of the experts told me not every hib is good at making viable seeds. My Black Dragon always makes wrinkly pods and the wrinkles are supposed to be one indication of less than perfect seeds.

My American Maid is new and I am anxiously awaiting that pod to ripen and seeing what happens.

So if my Black Dragon seed pods aren't wrinkled is there hope for them? I should also check that it's BD and not Dragon's Breath, I always get those two mixed up.

Might be, there is always hope. :-))))

Finding good seed setters is one of the challenges in hybridizing. Most of the varieties make usable pollen but fewer of them will set seeds. Dragons Breath will set seeds readily but Black Dragon will not. However, you can use its pollen. In an attempt to create an orange version of Black Dragon, I put Black Dragon pollen on Saffron, and one of the seedlings that came from that cross is now blooming. I didn't get all the rays of Black Dragon but the dark interior is there and more rays may come out in summer. Photo attached.

Charles
Hidden Valley Hibiscus

Charles: beautiful flower. Any one know how much pollen it takes to pollenate? Or is like humans the more the better and it only takes one to get through?
Dave

Hi Dave,

The more pollen, the better. The pollen granules, which are round balls that you can easily see with a magnifying glass, are activated once placed on the staminal pads. They then start growing long filaments that pass the genetic material down the staminal column and into the ovaries where the seeds are formed. If the pads or the pollen are too dry this does not happen.

I was surprised when using a magnifying glass to see how much pollen is actually transferred when only a little is apparent. The main problem is getting fresh pollen on moist pads since often the pollen sacs open later in the day than the flowers. If it's a hot, sunny day the pads can dry out before the pollen is ready while the pollen that was released the afternoon before may already be too dried out to use. Cloudy, cool days are best for getting results, but other strategies can be used to protect the flowers from the hot sun that sometimes work. The season for crossing hibiscus depends on where you live but most hibiscus seed in the US is made from November until April each year.

Charles

Charles.
Thank you for the primer on hibiscus. Unfortunately I live in Tulsa oklahoma and our temps fluxuate during those months.We have gone from 70s/80s in the am and snow later that afternoon. no joke its wild. I think it would be best for me to try inside a greenhouse. Thanks for the patience and info
Dave

Hi Dave,

Yep, that's a common problem. Seeds are often made in greenhouses in winter, most of mine were done that way. In Florida and along much of the Gulf coast there is usually a month or two when the weather is about perfect for seed making, even outdoors. That would be highs below 80 and lows above 50. Some believe seeds won't set if the nights don't drop into the 60's but no doubt there are exceptions like with all things related to hibiscus. Malaysia's national flower is the hibiscus but one professor there wrote that no seeds ever set in Malaysia (due to high temperatures all the time). Another guy I know has had great luck getting seeds from difficult to set varieties by doing it in his basement under artificial lights. Anyway, mild temps are the key and higher humidity is also a plus. Keep trying and you'll find a way!

Charles

Thank you so much for the great advise. I will get it worked out but it will have to wait until I have a better setup.
Dave

Charles, that flower is really a beauty!

Thanks ecrane3. Have to test it soon for propagation, see if it roots or has to be grafted. BTW, you should have a "blooming out of the box" experience tomorrow!

Charles

I can't wait! :-)

Hi Cindyhib,
I am from Malaysia, I know about the book u mention (although I have not read it) about no seeds ever set in Malaysia. However, I have been successful in setting seeds (hand pollinate) since last Nov in Malaysia. As our climate is only dry and rainy season, I found that it is difficult during dry season, like April and May. While other months in Nov-March, I have quite a number of seeds pod.

One of my seeds pod.

Pughbear - I'm in Tulsa too - last year because of all the rain - my heart of hearts produced a single seed pod - with 6 lovely hairy seeds - I was soo excited - I can't tell you - then my Heavy Metal also produced seed pods - unfortunately I only discovered it when it was a soggy mess! I'm so impatient that I know setting from seed would be a long wait - well worth it but I still need a now type of deal - so I just stick to plants. Good luck on your quest though! :)

My American Maid seed pod finally ripened and started to split. I had bagged it a week or so ago and was so excited but when I checked there weren't any real seeds in there, just a bit of dust.

Shopper: Nice to meet you. How are you handeling the latest round of wet stuff. My back yard holds water like a pond. I will be so glad when I move this summer. So have you planted your seed yet???? I have had some luck with seedlings of other stuff just never tried tropical hibiscus. What part of town are you in? I will be in the 61st and sheridan area soon. You wouldn't know someone that would like a 6ft purple leaf plum? I hate to pass it up but I have no where to put it. Its in BA out by county line rd.

Hi pughbear7 - what stuff have you tried?

redheadedwonder11: well I have a bumper crop of dogwoods as well as a few redbuds. Also I have had luck with Daylily hybrids, golden rain tree Live oak, a few rose of sharon. and japanese maple. As far as cutting go I have had some luck with Forsythia, abelia grandiflora, A grandiflora 'Compacta' and A. 'edward goucher' Also have had luck with dappled willow, Bacopa and trailing mini petunias.
How is your seed collection. I have a lot just waiting for the right time I will have to get me some hibiscus tropical seed and try my hand at it. Well folks I hate to run but its way past my bed time.
ttyl
Dave

I have been having all sorts of luck with my seeds this year :) I have had success with the following:

Morning glory
Hollyhock
Herbs (basil, cinnamon basil, parsley, oregano, marjoram, chives (sort of))
Pansy
Four o'clock
Lupin
Strawflower
Bachelor's buttons
Mung beans
Sensitive plant
Jamaican cocktail hibiscus
White hibiscus
Peony poppy

I think my japanese maple is about ready to come out of the fridge. Do you have any tips on growing japanese maple from seed? I have left the seed in the fridge for three months and I can't remember what to do next haha. I also just got my order from Trade Winds Fruit and will be starting some kona coffee, soapwort, witch hazel, marsh mallow, and I can't remember what else! :)

What is a Jamaican Cocktail Hibiscus?????

You might want to try the seed forum for info on that maple.

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/germination/all/

Thanks. I will try there.

I got the Jamaican Cocktail Hibiscus from garden store-n-more: http://www.garden-hut.com/catalog.php/gardenhut/dt63828/pd1393151/Hibiscus_sabdariffa_Jamaican_Cocktail_Red_10_Seeds_

It looks a little weird in the pictures (I think so anyway), but it is sure growing like crazy.

How interesting, I've never seen those before.

I thought they were pretty unique :)

Hi pbear! I'll send you a d-mail. One part of my front garden is pretty soppy - I dread having so much rain! I'm thinking of pulling up the exotic hibbies that I planted there just in case but was hoping to have my garden look as nice as the plants cindy's/charles' post this winter! Oh well - it's a work in progress - but I'm thinking of doing what Cat did and just put them all in pots!!