About Hibiscus Sabdariffa Plants
Hibiscus sabdariffa is a tropical plant found growing worldwide. It can be grown as an annual or a perennial shrub depending upon growing conditions. Common names include roselle, karkade, cabitutu, vinuela and Jamaican sorrel. It's grown for its lush foliage and large brightly colored flowers and for medicinal qualities. Does this Spark an idea?
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Uses
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Flowers are 3 to 4 inches in diameter and are used in some medicinal treatments. Different parts of hibiscus plants are used for cooking, medicinal purposes, textiles, landscaping and fresh cut flowers. Hibiscus plants are harvested for flowers, leaves, stems, seeds, fruit and calyx, which is the flower casing.
Calyxes are washed, chopped and used fresh in fruit salads or cooked and eaten as a spicy version of spinach. Red calyxes are imported to Europe and America, where they are processed into food coloring. Powder made from calyxes is used to make juice, ice cream sherbets, sauces, pies, jellies, syrups, tea and wine.
Textiles, mats and ropes are made from the stem, which is similar in texture to jute .
Cultivation
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Sorrel drink is made from calyxes in the Caribbean. Choose a healthy variety for the height and color that meets your needs from a reputable nursery. Select an ideal location that provides sunshine, excellent water drainage and is not located too close to other shrubs or trees. Hibiscus also prefer an area protected from winds and often must be staked as young plants.
Ideal soil conditions consist of a pH range between 6.0 and 6.5. Amend soil with compost and mulching until you obtain the desired pH. Plant just a little wider and deeper than the root ball size. Hibiscus plants perform better with long soakings rather than to daily watering. Plants may suffer from mineral deficiencies of nitrogen, zinc, manganese and magnesium.
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Hibiscus Tea
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Teas made from hibiscus contain high amounts of antioxidants. Hibiscus tea is not only relaxing but also provides health benefits. Tea made from hibiscus plants contains high amounts of antioxidants, which help your body to fight free radicals---harmful molecules---which cause cell damage.
To make hibiscus tea, wash and dry harvested fruits. Air-dry the calyx for about three days. Crush 2 grams of dried calyx and place them in a net or tea bag in a mug. Add 8 oz. of boiling water and steep the tea for two to four minutes. The tea may also be served cold.
Medicine
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Rosselle plants have many medicinal qualities. Many different parts of hibiscus plants are used in the treatment of a variety of ailments, including high blood pressure and fevers. Studies have shown that hibiscus suppresses spasms and is antibacterial.
Fruits are antiscorbutic and seeds, leaves and ripe calyxes are used as a diuretic. Flowers decrease the viscosity of blood and stimulate intestines. Roselle is a remedy for hypertension, scurvy, abscesses, heart ailments, dyspepsia, neurosis and hangovers.
Pests and Diseases
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Allow at least 3 feet of space between plants for plenty of room. The major enemy of Hibiscus sabdariffa is Heterodera rudicicola, which is the root-knot nematode. Mealybugs may be a problem. Rhyparida discopunctulata, Lagris cyanea and Nisotra breweri are three types of beetle that attack leaves.
The cocoa beetle, Steirastoma breve, has been known to infest white roselle plants. Scales are minor pests that attack branches and stems. Aphids are problematic on flower buds and leaves. The cotton stainer is known to attack ripening calyxes on hibiscus plants.
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References
- Photo Credit hibiscus image by adrimar imaging from Fotolia.com hibiscus image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com hibiscus image by Annett Goebel from Fotolia.com hibiscus butterfly image by Kurt Anderson from Fotolia.com Hibiscus image by Claire Glazebrook from Fotolia.com
