My Roselles started flowering in earnest this week. These are edible Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and grow in tropical areas. I planted the seedlings in April and they flower in late October. These are grown for their cranberry flavored calyx, but the rest of the plant can be eaten.
This one has just finished flowering. The directions I have found dictate waiting two to three weeks after the flower falls off to harvest the calyx. I picked one to try, having no idea when the flower fell off.
Watched a video about Roselles and found out I was going to eat the sepals – when you are supposed to eat the calyx. I had Botany about 40 years ago, I will forgive myself. Here it is cut if half.
These are usually dried but can be eaten raw. I am not sure if it was ripe as it was very sour with the barest hint of cranberry flavor.
I posted about nematodes and worms to help combat them a couple of weeks ago. One of the Roselle plants was killed by root knot nematodes. Here is the body, I bagged the roots to prevent spreading the bugs. Root knot nematodes destroy the xylem and phloem leaving the plant unable to feed itself. This Roselle was 4 feet tall.
Here are the roots.
Ugh, I watered the area with food grade diatomaceous earth in hopes of getting rid of the nematodes. Though I will probably start another worm bed as they are pretty close to a Mango and Lime tree.
That’s my six for this Saturday. To see more posts visit http://www.thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com.
Happy Gardening…
The Shrub Queen 
Horrid nematodes – I hope they don’t kill more of your plants. 😡
Is the Roselle the hibiscus they use to make the Celestial Seasonings Hibiscus tea we see in stores?
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Me, too. I am over the nematodes. I think the tea is made with hibiscus leaves..not sure. Though that is one of the common uses of the Roselle.
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That is interesting info on the hibiscus. Maybe they do need to dry more. Good luck with the nematodes, they are so horrible.
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Thanks, just saw the latest tropical stuff, thought about you..good grief! My fingers are crossed for the nematodes and vegetables..rabbits or something is already trying to break into the fence!
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I am sorry about your nematodes Queen.
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Thanks, maybe you can convince the fairies to fly down and take care of them??
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I love when a beautiful flower turns out to be edible. I hate when bugs eat them instead. Heavy sigh…
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Sighing here..there are many more that survvived intact. so far.
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The flower is so pretty. Don’t forget to try them in a glass of champagne!
http://morselsandmusings.blogspot.com/2010/12/wild-hibiscus-flowers-in-syrup_25.html
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Ah yes, I was going to mention the champagne, but Jane beat me to it! The shading of that roselle bloom is mesmerizing.
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Something completely new to me and very interesting. Many thanks.
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I love the hibiscus, I have never seen one like this before. I was intrigued to read that you can eat it.
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It is interesting. It needs a long season and is not frost tolerant. Interesting they serve Roselle preserves in champagne in Australia with the whole flowers..
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I’m curious, is there any indication that the worms are still in your garden? So sorry about the nematodes, they are a real problem to Florida gardens.
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Karen, I think they are still in there, they eat rotting food – I put some past prime Arugula in the garden and it has holes in it.?!
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That is a good thing indeed.
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Has roselle always been popular? I sort of thought of it as an ethnic plant, but it seems to be more popular with everyone else too.
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