How to Harvest Seeds From a Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon is a deciduous shrub in the hibiscus family. Easy to grow, Rose of Sharon can make a natural privacy fence if it is planted in rows or groups. Also known as Althea, the shrub will bloom from June to September. Rose of Sharon blooms that are left to fade on the plant will go to seed; rose of Sharon will self-seed and can become invasive.
Stop deadheading the Rose of Sharon shrub in mid-summer if you want it to produce seed. Seeds are formed in pods on the Rose of Sharon shrub starting in late fall.
Look for the immature green pods at the end of stems on Rose of Sharon around October. The pods are about three-quarters of an inch long. Leave the pods on the shrub to dry. The pods will turn a light brown as they mature.
- Rose of Sharon is a deciduous shrub in the hibiscus family.
- Rose of Sharon blooms that are left to fade on the plant will go to seed; rose of Sharon will self-seed and can become invasive.
Pick off the brown, dried pods with your fingers. The pods may be starting to open, which can be seen by splits down the side of the pod. Allow the picked pods to dry indoors for two days and then split the pod open over a flat surface to contain the seeds and chaff. The seeds will be very small, about one-quarter of an inch across.
Plant the seeds in early spring in a pot or in the ground. No special soil or fertilizer is needed. Just place the seed on the ground or in the pot and press it in about one-quarter of an inch under the soil. Water lightly and keep the soil moist until the seed sprouts.
- Pick off the brown, dried pods with your fingers.
- Allow the picked pods to dry indoors for two days and then split the pod open over a flat surface to contain the seeds and chaff.
Kill A Rose Of Sharon
Rose of Sharon, also known as althea, is a type of hardy hibiscus shrub or tree. It is hardy to USDA zones 5 through 8. It flowers for a long period of time, which is part of its appeal. However, rose of Sharon also sends out suckers that can take over your yard if you’re not careful. Remove all of the foliage to about 1 foot above ground level. Pull up any suckers from the rose of Sharon as they appear. They will eventually stop growing.
- Rose of Sharon, also known as althea, is a type of hardy hibiscus shrub or tree.
- However, rose of Sharon also sends out suckers that can take over your yard if you’re not careful.
Related Articles
References
Writer Bio
Barbara Raskauskas's favorite pursuits are home improvement, landscape design, organic gardening and blogging. Her Internet writing appears on SASS Magazine, AT&T and various other websites. Raskauskas is active in the small business she and her husband have owned since 2000 and is a former MS Office instructor.
