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Hibiscus syriacus

Genus Hibiscus

A lilac flower with a dark red eye and a white central column, a second bloom and a bud behind
FlowerWilhelm Zimmerling PARCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Perennial, Shrub, TreeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Height
8-12 ft2.4-3.7 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
6-10 ft1.8-3 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Gold/Yellow, Pink, Purple/Lavender, WhiteExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Spring, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Hardiness zones
5-9Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally WetExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Source: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.

This source reports 4 treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Temperature: 40°F 4°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

100% germination.

This source doesn't state how long.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Hibiscus p. 153Public domain
Show the original text
Hibiscus (Malvaceae). H. syriacus showed similar behavior for fresh seed and seed DS 6 m at 70 when sown at 70 but a sharp difference when sown at 40. Both germ. immediately at 70 as shown by 70(90% in 4-6 d) for DS seed and 70(70% in 10-17 d) for fresh seed. However, when sown at 40, DS seed germ. 40(100% in 712 w) whereas fresh seed germ. 40-70(98% in 3-5 d);
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Hibiscus p. 153. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around October 3, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 2, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 5 days to germinate.

98% germination in 3–5 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Hibiscus p. 153Public domain
Show the original text
Hibiscus (Malvaceae). H. syriacus showed similar behavior for fresh seed and seed DS 6 m at 70 when sown at 70 but a sharp difference when sown at 40. Both germ. immediately at 70 as shown by 70(90% in 4-6 d) for DS seed and 70(70% in 10-17 d) for fresh seed. However, when sown at 40, DS seed germ. 40(100% in 712 w) whereas fresh seed germ. 40-70(98% in 3-5 d);
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Hibiscus p. 153. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around October 2, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on October 1, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 180 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to sowing. Then 6 days to germinate.

90% germination in 4–6 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Hibiscus p. 153Public domain
Show the original text
Hibiscus (Malvaceae). H. syriacus showed similar behavior for fresh seed and seed DS 6 m at 70 when sown at 70 but a sharp difference when sown at 40. Both germ. immediately at 70 as shown by 70(90% in 4-6 d) for DS seed and 70(70% in 10-17 d) for fresh seed. However, when sown at 40, DS seed germ. 40(100% in 712 w) whereas fresh seed germ. 40-70(98% in 3-5 d);
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Hibiscus p. 153. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 19, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 17 days to germinate.

70% germination in 10–17 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Hibiscus p. 153Public domain
Show the original text
Hibiscus (Malvaceae). H. syriacus showed similar behavior for fresh seed and seed DS 6 m at 70 when sown at 70 but a sharp difference when sown at 40. Both germ. immediately at 70 as shown by 70(90% in 4-6 d) for DS seed and 70(70% in 10-17 d) for fresh seed. However, when sown at 40, DS seed germ. 40(100% in 712 w) whereas fresh seed germ. 40-70(98% in 3-5 d);
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Hibiscus p. 153. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

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