Tips for starting hardy hibiscus from seed?

[journey11]

I've tried soaking. I've tried winter sowing. And they are too tiny to file (hard seed coat). Twice I've planted them from seed and only gotten one to sprout each time. Has anyone had good success starting hibiscus from seed? These are the hardy kind that overwinter and come back each year. You often see them growing thickly in low-lying swampy areas.

 

[thistlebloom]

I've only ever grown from plants, but they don't seem to reseed. I wonder if you tried soaking them starting with really hot water?

 

[Lavender2]

I've started Rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos) and rose of Sharon (H. syriacus) from seed.
Much better germination rate when I nick the seed and soak in warm water for about 12 hours. It's not easy to nick or scar them, but I have used a tweezers and rubbed them on sandpaper. Moist soil, not real wet or the seeds may rot before they germinate.

I would think winter sowing would work if they are native in your area. You could try freezing them in moist soil if you try them again.

 

[catjac1975]

Try sanding the seed coat before soaking.

 

[journey11]

I spent about 45 minutes last night using tweezers and trying to sand them on an emery board. Talk about an exercise in frustration! They're soaking now and I think I'll try sprouting them in a damp paper towel within a sandwich bag. We'll see what happens!

 

[catjac1975]

They also refer to it as nicking. You can use nail clippers to damage the seed coat. But, I aways worry that you will damage the inner seed.