 |
| The hibiscus is Korea's national flower, and it bears historical significance. |
By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Nuran Sami Hassan Ibrahim
Photos = Korea.net DB
The hibiscus, or mugunghwa in Korean (무궁화), is Korea's national flower for a profound reason. Hibiscus syriacus has been found all across the Korean Peninsula ever since the fourth century A.D., and it's loved by all Koreans everywhere. It was Koreans' choice, to select this flower as their representative flower. Back in the early 20th century during colonial times when the Japanese colonial authorities tried to eradicate all hibiscuses across the country, the Korean people picked this flower to be their identity's signature symbol, for it depicts their values and nationalism. The Korean people warded off colonization peacefully by planting this flower in the countryside to reflect their ongoing persistence and dreams of liberty and integration. Consequently, the hibiscus became the national emblem of Korea, to the point that it's widely found on official and governmental buildings, in the emblem of the prime minister and it's even mentioned in the national anthem, where Korea, as a country, gets compared to the flower. In addition to its historical significance, the word mugung linguistically stands for immortality or eternity.
Hibiscus syriacus is known for its ethereality and attractive, colorful petals. It usually blooms in white, pink, red or purple. In older times, the leaves were used in tea. Similarly, the petals themselves can be eaten, as they are edible parts of the hibiscus. It's best to plant this flower during the hot and sharply sunny summertime, as it increases the vividness of the petals and its coloration. There are two ways to grow the hibiscus: either by using seeds or by layering, which is basically creating an identical copy of the original plant. In East Asia, this flower grows in Korea, Japan and China. Furthermore, it's also found in the U.S., Europe, Australia and Northern Africa.
 |
| The hibiscus, or mugunghwa, can be found all across the country. |
It's fairly easy to grow this flower, whether transplanted outdoors or grown in a pot indoors. The key element is to watch the seasons for when to plant it, since it plays a most-important role. It can either bloom profusely in the summer or have its petals fall of and have only bare sticks in the winter. So preparing for the proper season is essential. As for watering, apply a generous amount to wet, deep down into the roots. The hibiscus has an average growth rate that can grow virtually up to 61 cm (24 inches) a year. Here is one way to germinate a hibiscus at home.
First, fill a seedling tray with soilless potting mix. Don't let the mix accumulate in the tray's cells. Make sure it's smooth and has a bit of air.
Second, insert a hibiscus seed in a hole 1.5 cm (0.5 inches) deep in the center of each tray cell. Make sure to thoroughly cover each seed with the potting mix.
Next, apply water sufficiently to each seed with a spray bottle. Don't let the mix dry out between waterings.
Finally, put the seedling tray in a sunny area that's around 27 Celsius (80 Fahrenheit) during both the day and night. The seeds are expected to germinate in anywhere between two and four weeks.
Keep in mind that you need to water it regularly and adequately. The leaves might look yellow-ish if the plant is overwatered, so watch carefully. However, this flower doesn't require daily watering. In fact, it can take only three times per week as long as the potting mix hasn't gotten too dry.
The hibiscus is not only historical, but it's also lively and bright. This is why it's abundantly sold and admired. Its distinct beauty leads to it being seen in all sorts of fine kitchen objects, paintings, accessories and even album covers, such as the album "Boracay Planet" by Blackbird or the album "Love Songs" by the O'Jays.
wisdom117@korea.kr
