How to Grow Jamaican Sorrel

Roselle, or Jamaican sorrel, is an annual plant originally cultivated in India and Malaysia, which made its way to Africa and now thrives in the Tropics and Subtropics of both hemispheres. It is believed that its seeds came to the New World with African slaves. Jamaican sorrel is cultivated for its jute-like fiber, for its edible calyces, or sepals, and for medicinal purposes. Its calyces are edible raw or cooked with sugar into a sauce similar in taste and appearance to cranberry sauce. Juice is made from the calyces cooked with water and is served hot or cold or used as a drink "mixer." Dried calyces are packaged for out-of-season sales. Various above-ground parts of the sorrel are used in a wide variety of native medicines.

Jamaican sorrel seeds or cuttings
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Instructions

- 1
  Plant Jamaican sorrel in mid-May to produce a harvest of calyces by November and December. A second budding may occur after the end-of-the-year harvest, extending the flower life to February. Sow plants intended for use as herbage as early as March.
- 2
  Plant from seed or cuttings in deep, sandy loam. Well-drained soil that is slightly raised is preferable. Plant four to six seeds on a mound or hill, and space the hills 3 to 6 feet apart in rows 5 to 10 feet apart. When two or three leaves develop, thin by 50 percent.
- 3
  Irrigate plants if there is not sufficient rainfall. Jamaican sorrel is best suited for regions with annual rainfalls during the growing season of about 72 inches.
- 4
  Use fertilizer lightly, if at all. Weeding is not necessary after the plants reach 1 1/2 to 2 feet in height.
- 5
  Cut back plants grown for herbage three times, at six weeks, 10 weeks and 14 weeks. Thin the remaining plants and allow them to produce fruit. Harvest fruit when it is tender and can be snapped off by hand. Fruits ripen from lowest to highest on the stalk.
- 6
  Harvest seeds last when last fruits are fully mature. Cut plants and allow to dry out for a few days before thrashing between sheets of canvas to release seeds.

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