Roselle getting rid of old leaves.

Old leaves will fall. It is a standard thing with most plants. Our roselle is coming to that stage. Old leaves get brownish with holes every where, probably eaten by grasshoppers or bugs. It is during such time that Red bugs ( red cotton bug, scientific name: Dysdercus cingulatus, thanks to Andrea) will come and colonise the whole place. I am just guessing, they are here for the fruits, or they really are here as the angel of death, for the final kill. I don't think our roselle are ready to die.

They are now busy with new shoots to replace the dying leaves. Roselle must be thinking.., "Oh well, life must go one. Not yet angel of death!"

Old leaves, battered badly, about to fall off.

New shoots, new branches for roselle to continue living.

roselle, new shoots

Roselle are coming to a new phase, new branches and new set of leaves. I might cut off some shoots, to allow plants continue growing healthily without unnecessary stresses. I don't think the plant can support too many branches, not only on the weight but the ability to absorb nutrients, manufacture food for every parts to live on.  I am looking through the eyes of a gardener who has 7 plants to look after. Just wonder what farmers with acres of roselle would do....

This is the phase, roselle will lose most of its charm, on symmetry, balance, and beauty. But I will let them go on for a few harvests more, with deliberate pruning.....

Earlier posts on Tanah Merah  Roselle

• Red bugs, an affair over Roselle April 13, 2011
• Hope Grows Day: March 2011 with roselle seeds giveaway March 8, 2011 
• First roselle juice and jam in Tanah Merah.February 10, 2011
• Growing roselle: when they bloom  January 28, 2011
• Growing roselle: they are getting stronger  December 23, 2010
• Updates on roselle, as they add more leaves  December 7, 2010
• Seven Roselle are not complaining  November 23, 2010
• Introducing the first batch of plants into the garden November 17, 2010

 

bangchik and kakdah

Tanah Merah, Kelantan