Time for SOS again. Follow the link to see more fun from gardens around the world http://www,thepropagatorblog.wordpress.com
My garden is enjoying the weather cool down and making flowers and fruit for fall. I have begun harvesting the Roselles (Hibicus sabdariffa) and here is the first batch:
I pluck these by hand as the green seeds start to appear in the middle of the flower. Rinse them throughly and remove the calyces.
These are the remnants of the flower. The calyces have been removed. I had to look up calyx, in botany speak it is the whole of the sepals that surround the bud of the flower. Calyces is plural of calyx. If the green seeds are allowed to ripen they turn brown and may be ground for a coffee substitute.
Calyx harvested by pulling sepals off or cutting whole. Jam makers like the use the whole ones for aesthetics. I think. I am freezing these bit by bit and looking for recipes.
Fruits of the Christmas Palm (Adonidia veitchii). These are reportedly edible but unpalatable. I leave them for the wildlife. Most people cut them off, though I like to use them for arrangements and enjoy the color.
Tomatoes started from seed in September are setting fruit. I planted Yellow Pear and Sweet 100 Cherry Tomatoes, not sure which one this is, but am looking forward to eating it.
One of my favorite butterfly nectar plants, the Firebush (Hamelia patens) flowers and produces fruit in the fall. More food for wildlife (and maybe thought, while contemplating the butterflies.)
That is six from my garden this Saturday.
Happy Gardening!!
The Shrub Queen 
Thanks for showing us the calyx of roselle and the method. Now I have to (re)order seeds and try again!
Beautiful adonidia fruits! A palm seed that I haven’t managed to germinate so far here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It took me a while to figure out what you were supposed to eat. I have two Adonidias both grown by friends from seed – one is 8 years or so and about 14 feet tall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope to have as many! 3 flowers open to date… We have to believe that it works. On the other hand, if I want to harvest seeds, shouldn’t I cut the calyces? I don’t think so
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is interesting and it would be early for flowers here. Leave the flowers alone if you want seed. They actually do not make many seeds per flower. You must have a different variety than the one I grow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ll see the variety that I grow next weekend. This SixonSaturday is already full.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been reading about a variety grown in Virginia that is much closer to you climate wise Thai Red.. I’ll email you the info
LikeLike
How unusual, never heard of Roselles or Christmas palm. Its fascinating what grows the other side of the world!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It fascinates me what grows in the UK.
LikeLike
The Roselles look interesting and appetizing already! I plucked my last tomato of the year last week – very envious of your coming harvest!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting yes..trying to figure out what to do with them. I hate it when I know it is the last tomato!
LikeLike
The Christmas palm will certainly add color to the season.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And drop a zillion seeds eventually.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The firebush is quite pretty – a nice range of orange and yellow colors. I look forward to hearing about the culinary concoctions you make from your Roselles. I am in strong support of your decision to retain the Christmas palm fruit. It is gorgeous.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, the Firebush is a favorite and I and the birds will enjoy the palm fruit.
LikeLike
Roselle is an unusual vegetable or whatever it is. It is interesting to know how other parts of the plant are useful, such as the seeds. When I first experienced chilled roselle tea at one of the garden tours, a few flowers were floating in it, within a big punch bowl, so I got the impression that the flowers were the part used for the tea.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also love that firebush.
LikeLike
Fascinating reading about the Roselles. I didn’t know what they looked like. Hamelia looks very pretty. A new plant to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person