Today I collected pods from a Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis).
Does anyone have any experience getting these seeds to germinate?

Hi Greene. I have not ever tried to get them to germinate, they just hit the dirt here and in the spring, a new plant...if the squirrels don't dig the seeds up.

I did a little looking and read some rather involved methods, including drying the seeds, then refrigerating the seeds etc.

I do know that if planted out as soon as possible in spring, you will most likely have a bloom or two the first year.

I tried in the spring and had about 2 out of ten geminate. I think winter sowing would work well.have worked better.

Thanks. I did more research and find that stratifying then scarifying (rubbing between two pieces of sandpaper) helps the germination process. I have plenty of seeds so I'll try winter sowing some and save some for spring planting after giving them some chill time. Thanks.

Edited because someone corrected my error.

greene said:Thanks. I did more research and find that stratifying (rubbing between two pieces of sandpaper) helps the germination process. Thanks.

That is scarifying. Many hard coated seeds benefit from scarifying. Stratifying is exposing to cold temps.

I've never been able to find any seeds on H. mutabilis. Cuttings take so easily, that might be an option for you too. If you're able to take a pic, I'd love to see them! The DB entry here doesn't have a seed shot, 'twould make a good addition.

Where is the head-smack emoticon? I totally forgot to take pics.

Okay, I just took 16 pics, all are blurry so I'll try again tomorrow after recharging the camera battery.
Here is a temporary picture:

I sprouted some years ago by sticking them on moist paper towel which I folded over and wrapped in plastic wrap and set it on a window sill. Worked pretty well! Don't remember how long it took to germinate though. I ended up with 10 plants and some bloomed the first year!

FYI - these guys do not mind at all being dug up and moved around even when mature .. they have fairly shallow roots and don't even blink.

greene said:Today I collected pods from a Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis)

Was unfamiliar .... Zone 7a .... Very lovely. And no, I doubt that I will grow in a pot and bring in. But it is quite nice ... hhhmmmmm

It will grow in zone 7a. It will die back, but mulch it well and it will make a grand comeback in the Spring. The best and biggest plant I ever saw was growing on a farm. When I asked the farmer his secret he told me that he directs the water from the washing machine toward the plant - it's a thirsty grower.

Interesting! Wonder why I've never seen a volunteer?

That's what I was wondering also. My DD has this plant and we have never seen a volunteer. I am thinking that some are sterile hybrids and some are the old time heirloom ones that make viable seeds. That's my guess anyway.

As promised:

Probably because the birds and squirrels consider these to be particularly tasty. Here the squirrels will risk the trek from my neighbor's oak and being seen by my cats to eat Hibiscus seeds.

I envy you guys. But no - I do not need another Hibiscus that gets brought in. Have 2 in my Living room now.

David, if you have a basement, you could overwinter dormant probably. Enable, enable... Only root hardy here, in a normal winter.

purpleinopp said:David, if you have a basement, you could overwinter dormant probably.

With the other 30 or so plants already there in my grow area. My house is filled. Literally. And come Jan-Feb, I will have 1,000 + seeds started. Two years ago Jan. I had 2,000 seeds started. That was a bitv much.

But I am freaking tempted.

Is someone offering seeds of this?

Most times they bloom 1st year if you start them inside in January....treat it as an annual.

Some how I missed the first post. While I have no experience with this one, I have grown Hibiscus from seed. Sorry my memory is foggy and cannot find my notes. Fairly sure I cold stratified for 30 days. Not sure about the scarifying.

If they have a hard seed coat, scarifying is worth a try. I almost always scarify when I run in to seeds that have a hard coating. I have tried chemical scarifying, but always come back to mechanical methods. Usually sand paper or nail clippers. For super hard think things, I have used a dremel tool carefully.