Planting hibiscus seeds can create beautiful plants with vibrant colors. After being taken from the seed pod, seeds must be prepared for planting and examined to see if they will be able to germinate. In order to successfully sprout seeds, a warm environment is needed that is not too wet. The planted seeds should sprout in seven to 20 days, and the first blooms should appear within the first year.
There are several different varieties of these flowering shrubs, and while some are entirely tropical plants, others can thrive in more temperate climates. Warm weather hibiscus are called tropical flowering hibiscus, while hibiscus that can survive in cooler temperatures are called hardy flowering hibiscus. These plants are admired for their colorful flowers, which can be any number of colors, including white, red, and pink. Their flowers are moderate to large in size and have a trumpet-like shape, with the petals flaring outwards at their tips. These flowers have large leaves that are thin and slightly floppy, growing from a column that rises from the center of the plant.
In order to harvest hibiscus seeds, it is important to find a seed pod that will develop after the flower has been pollinated and its leaves have fallen off. The pod that remains will swell over time and will eventually turn brown and open on its own. Inside this open pod will be between 10 and 20. hibiscus seeds.
Although it is not necessary, one tip often given to gardeners who are starting hibiscus seeds is to nick the seeds before planting. To do this, a small, sharp knife, such as a utility knife, should be used to make a small cut in the flat part of the seed. This can provide information about whether or not the seed is able to grow, as a healthy seed has white flesh under the nick. This cut will also help moisture to enter the seed and allow it to sprout faster.
Each hibiscus seed should be potted in a small container or seed starting tray, containing a light soil. Seeds should be planted about two times the depth of the size of the seed itself, typically 0.25 to 0.5 inches (0.6 to 1.27 centimeters) deep. It is important that seeds remain warm in order to encourage germination. Heat lamps above the plants or a heat mat under the seed trays can help to maintain an optimal environment.
Perhaps the most essential aspect to growing hibiscus seeds is that the seeds cannot get too wet. Too much dampness can encourage fungal growth and can also cause the seeds to rot. To avoid this, the seeds should be lightly misted as many as 12 times a day to ensure optimal growth conditions.
Hibiscus seeds should sprout anytime between one week and 20 days after planting, depending on the variety of plant as well as environmental conditions. After sprouting, seedlings should be exposed to filtered sunlight and eventually introduced to greater amounts of light until they are receiving six to eight hours of sunlight each day. As the plants continue to grow, they should be transferred into larger pots or into the ground. The first blooms should appear six to 24 months after the seeds have sprouted.