Roselle (Hibiscus / Karkade) Seeds 15g

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), known across Egypt as karkade, is grown for its fleshy crimson calyces rather than its short-lived pale, creamy blooms. Steeped hot or iced, those ruby calyces give the tart, refreshing, deep-red tea that is a national favourite, while the large, branching plant also makes a striking ornamental in the garden.

Planting

Sow in spring (March-April), as roselle needs a long, warm, frost-free season of about 6 months. Place seeds around 1.3 cm deep in moist soil; shallower sowing of roughly 0.5 cm also works. Soaking seed for about 24 hours speeds germination, which takes 5-10 days at a soil temperature near 24-29 C. In cool spots, start in flats in a greenhouse and transplant after 4-6 weeks, once frost has fully passed. Space plants about 45 cm apart in rows around 90 cm apart, in full sun.

Fertilizing

Apply fertilizer about 2-4 weeks after planting, ideally guided by a soil test. Mix compost in at planting and favour a phosphorus source to support calyx development. Avoid excess nitrogen, which pushes leafy growth and reduces flowering.

Care

Keep the soil well-drained but consistently and plentifully moist, especially in dry spells; roselle tolerates heat but should not dry out while growing. When direct-seeded, thin to the strongest seedling once plants reach 5-8 cm tall. Watch for root-knot nematode, the most serious problem, and rotate sites and mulch to suppress it; root and stem rots appear in wet soils, and spider mites in hot, dry weather. As autumn days shorten the blooms drop, calyces swell behind them, and you harvest while plump, tender and rich crimson, about 8-10 days after each calyx forms.