{"product_id":"rosella-early-seeds","title":"Rosella 'Early' Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eRosella 'Early'\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHibiscus sabdariffa\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e),\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e a prized heirloom strain selected for its faster maturity and high productivity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Renowned across Australia for producing brilliant ruby-red calyces,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e this fast-growing tropical and subtropical bush offers a striking display of pale yellow hibiscus flowers with deep maroon centers,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e followed by heavy clusters of succulent red fruit heads.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSelected to flower and set fruit earlier than standard varieties,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 'Early' Rosella is ideal for gardeners in temperate and cool-climate zones with shorter summer windows,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as well as classic warm-climate regions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The thick,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e fleshy calyces boast a sharp,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e cranberry-like flavor that shines in homemade jams,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e ruby-red herbal teas,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e jellies,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e cordials,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and syrups.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e this multi-purpose bush is as ornamental as it is edible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFaster Flowering Strain:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Specially selected to produce calyces earlier in the season,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e extending harvests in shorter-summer regions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eVibrant Ruby Harvests:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Produces thick,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e fleshy crimson calyces perfect for homestead preserves,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e teas,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and syrups.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrnamental \u0026amp; Edible:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Features gorgeous cream-and-burgundy flowers set against lush red-veined foliage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNutrient-Dense Superfood:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Packed with Vitamin C,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e antioxidants,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and natural tart flavor.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMulti-Use Homestead Crop:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tender young leaves are also edible as a tangy salad green (known as bush sorrel).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Information (Australia):\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eHibiscus sabdariffa\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 'Early'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tender Warm-season Annual (Perennial in tropical,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e frost-free zones)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Branching Shrub \/ Bush (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eNon-vining; grows into an erect, woody sub-shrub\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSowing Season:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperate\/Cool (e.g., Victoria, Tasmania):\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Early Spring (strictly raise indoors\/greenhouse with bottom heat 6–8 weeks before last frost).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubtropical:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Spring to Early Summer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTropical:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Late Winter to Spring (at the start of the wet\/warm season).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSun Position:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Full Sun (requires 6–8 hours of uninterrupted direct sunlight daily).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSowing Depth:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 6mm–10mm deep (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eSoak seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours prior to sowing to break seed coat dormancy\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Spacing:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 80cm–100cm apart between plants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlant Height:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 120cm–150cm tall.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGermination Temp:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 22°C–30°C.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGermination Time:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 10–21 days.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeed to Bloom\/Harvest Time:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 120–140 days (harvest calyces when plump and tender,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e before they turn woody).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGardener’s Tip:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Soak seeds overnight in warm water to speed up germination.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Plant in free-draining,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e highly fertile soil enriched with organic matter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Protect young seedlings from frost at all costs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Pick the plump red calyces continuously using sharp snips as soon as the flower petals drop; regular harvesting encourages the plant to set continuous flower buds until autumn.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e20 seeds per pack\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gatherer Forager","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54550860595473,"sku":null,"price":4.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0671\/4323\/7905\/files\/Rosella_seeds_tasmania.png?v=1788306762","url":"https:\/\/www.gathererforager.com\/products\/rosella-early-seeds","provider":"Gatherer Forager","version":"1.0","type":"link"}