Roselle

$4.00
sold out

Ching Baung, Sour Leaf, Gongura, Flor de Jamaica, Sorrel

Hibsicus sabdariffa var. sabdariffa

We have a soft spot for the plants that make certain communities squeal with delight. For our Burmese friends, that plant is Sour Leaf. The importance of this crop, and its irreplaceable nature has ensured its place on our farm every year, in increasingly large populations. We’ve trialed many varieties through the years, and this one has been the most versatile and well adapted (in terms of daylength requirements for flowering) to our region. Leaves have a strong tart flavor, and calyces are abundant and delicious. We have worked for several years to adapt this variety to more intense drought conditions.

Seeds per Packet: 25

Ching Baung, Sour Leaf, Gongura, Flor de Jamaica, Sorrel

Hibsicus sabdariffa var. sabdariffa

We have a soft spot for the plants that make certain communities squeal with delight. For our Burmese friends, that plant is Sour Leaf. The importance of this crop, and its irreplaceable nature has ensured its place on our farm every year, in increasingly large populations. We’ve trialed many varieties through the years, and this one has been the most versatile and well adapted (in terms of daylength requirements for flowering) to our region. Leaves have a strong tart flavor, and calyces are abundant and delicious. We have worked for several years to adapt this variety to more intense drought conditions.

Seeds per Packet: 25

These plants will quickly become the showstopper of your farm. Beautifully bushy plants have hardy sour leaves reminiscent of sorrel, while their deep red calyces are delicious fresh, candied, or dried and used as tea.

Days to Maturity: 45-50 for leaf harvest. 90 for calyces

Growing Tips: Roselle are heat loving crops, who are adaptable to ranges in moisture and fertility. We have worked with this variety for 8 years, selecting for drought tolerance.

When to Plant: Warm season annual. Plant only once temperatures and soil temps are steadily above 75F. While they require consistently warm temperatures, they also need to be planted early enough to put on sufficient vegetative growth and meet short day length triggers for flowering.

Planting Depth: 3/4”Can be sown directly, but in most areas will prefer transplanting to enjoy a long enough season. Start seeds indoors 6 weeks prior to field date.

Spacing: 2’between plants. Pruning when plant is well established will encourage an abundance of side shoots and more calyces, so give them space.

Sun: Full

Water: Will use as much water as they can get. Ours get a deep, infrequent soak.

Grower: Namu Farm, Winters, CA