Has anyone here grown Hibiscus cannabinus from seed? If yes, is this seedling it?

Here's one of mine, a little further along. I'm dubious.

Dang .. how did you get yours started Alana? I've tried and they end up rotting - I was hoping.

I believe I gave them an overnight soak before I sowed them, just covering lightly with vermiculite to let light in.

Funny thing this year. These germinated in 4-5 days from seeds I saved from last year. The seeds I collected from "Amethyst" took a month to germinate and the rate was low. Not sure what happened there.

Anyway, these are the large white flowered kind. I have seeds left if you want to try them.

Xeramtheum said:Has anyone here grown Hibiscus cannabinus from seed? If yes, is this seedling it?

All my H. cannabinus died at the cotyledon stage, but that one doesn't look quite right to me. The hibiscus I have grown from seed have all look pretty much the same at the cotyledon and first true leaf stages. The cotyledons on yours look different from those on any Hibiscus I have grown.The first true leaves on all mine have been more of a rounded or slightly pointed leaf, not getting the palmate leaves until later. From what I can see in Alana's photo, it seems to show non palmate leaves lower down. Also the division between the "fingers" seems extreme, all the way back to the petiole.

Rats .. so it's not the Kenaf .. I'll try soaking some seed as you suggested Alana. Now I'm curious as to what this serrated leaf seedling actually is!

Jay I was thinking the cots weren't right either .. I was so wanting it to be - sigh.

I would let it grow out and see for sure what it is. Like I said all mine died at the cotyledon stage. I had a very disappointing year with my Hibiscus seedling. I usually start them outside when it has warmed up enough, but this year I trying to start them indoors to get a head start. I ended up loosing almost all of them, including some hard to find species that I ordered from a company in Europe.

Bummer .. I know how you feel! I lost all of my blue and white Iochroma australe seedlings. Thankfully I was able to find more seeds.

Finally figured it out what the seedling was .. Honeywort - Melianthus major.