Hibiscus insularis (Phillip Island Hibiscus)

120 (200)cm, Phillip Island Hibiscus is one of the most endangered plant species in the world. Hibiscus insularis was down to just two genetically distinct specimens in habitat on Phillip Island, south of Norfolk Island, 1.400 km offshore eastern Australia. It is a medium tall evergreen shrub with leathery, shiny dark green leaves with crenulate margins and very showy, greenish-yellow flowers turning to dark rose at maturity, and with an reddish violet eye. On adult specimens flowers are set in abundance, yet seed set is extremely erratic despite careful hand pollination. Most plants in cultivation are from cuttings from the last two wild specimens, thus the genetic variation is extremely low in this species, and which may be the cause of a very low seed set. Also, germination in this species in unpredictable and it will take several months to almost an entire year. As a matter of fact, it is probably the most complicated species we have to get going from seeds. Our seeds were collected in March 2024 and are as fresh as they can be. Each single seed is visually inspected and all potentially unviable seeds are discarded. Germination tests yielded a germination rate between 15% to 25% under optimal conditions. However, we cannot give any guarantee on germination. In the best case you may be able to raise some 1 to 2 seedlings from one seed package, in the worst case there will be no germination at all. So be prepared not to have any success! Sowing is the very same as for other tropical Hibiscus species. Prior to sowing preferably soak seeds for 48 h in luke warm water. Use any rich, well drained substrate and keep pots at around 25°C in a partially shaded spot. In their first years seedlings will look very differently from adult plants. Leaves in immature plants will be very small and strongly lobed, upon maturity leaves will develop their adult and more round shape. For any rich, well drained substrate in a partially shaded (summer) to sunny (winter) spot at a minimum of some 20°C. V-X.
5 seeds per package.

U.S. customers only: seeds cannot be shipped to the U.S.