I have seeds for a hibiscus when is the best time to plant them?? I live in zone 6...?

We live in zone 7b and grow ours in BIG pots....14" across the top with 25 lb of Miracle-Gro potting soil. After the seeds dry on the stems in pods, I plant a few in the pot's soil and save the rest for spring planting after the nights get into the 60's.



Hints:



Mix slow-release fertilizer into the top soil (we like Osmocote). The big pots take about 4 tablespoons. This is important because if you do not use enough, there will be slow growth. Read the directions on the container. Water well and keep the soil most but not wet.



After the new plants are about 6 to 8 inches tall start using liquid fertilizer every 14 days. We like Miracle-Gro's Bloom Booster. Be sure to follow the directions on the container.



Hibiscus likes sunshine and water.



After they die out in fall, we cover our pots or put them in my husband's work shop.
I have seeds for a hibiscus when is the best time to plant them?? I live in zone 6...?
Hey Tweety06,



Wow, zone 6 hibiscus. The Hibiscus is known in the southern zones that do not freeze as a perenial. In South Carolina, zone 8 they consider it an Annual. I pot mine and take it in - else I start over every year.



From seed, well perhaps you should place them in some moist peat moss or other organic material in a plastic bag and put it into a refrigerator for 3 or 4 months. The theory is that the treatment is somewhat similar to what a seed would experience if it were to spend the winter outside in the garden. This is called stratification.



I have to do this for my Blue Flag Iris seeds too. If you do this process, you should be able to start any time. After you take them out of the refridgerator, they should start to germinate in a week or so. At which point I would baby the seedlings with warm temperatures.
Reply:I sprouted mine a week ago. They were ready to go and are quite happy under the grow lights. I live in Northern Michigan and hibiscus does wonderful and adds a touch of exotic to my sun garden. They do much better when started indoors than they do from seed in the ground. I have had bad luck with direct seeding but great growth when I start them indoors. Lots of people see hibiscus and think Hawaii, warm climates, etc. Mine do just great in Northern Michigan. They are under 4 foot of snow right now but they will be back. They return each year in spite of 4 feet of snow. I have them in full sun with shade starting about 4 in the afternoon.
Reply:i love hibiscus i always start mine in-doors with miracle-grow mix the potting sol then i tranceplant out side after the danger of frost is over yes here is a little tip buy the little jiff pots at wal-mart this way you can plant the pot it is in i start all my plants this way i hope this will help you
Reply:It will take too long and eventually when it grows it will take longer still to flower.Hibiscus is grown by taking hardwood cuttings in late sept
Reply:I'd get them going inside now and move them outside after the last frost. They are not winter-hardy in our colder climate so you'll have to bring them inside in the fall.
Reply:You can start them inside right now provided you can give them plenty of light. Otherwise, you will need to wait until all threat of Spring freeze is over. It also depends on the kind of Hibiscus you have. Is it a tropical or a perennial (hardy)?

If it is tropical you will need to plant it in a pot so you can bring it in for the winter. If it is hardy then you can sow the seed directly in the ground.



Good Luck