Neighbor has wild hollyhock and we have taken some wilted flowers and seed pods to plant. Is it too late to plant or should we just dry out like Iris bulbs? Also, do we break open the pods to get to the seed?
Though you can try direct planting some of the seeds now, it may be better to wait since it's so late in the season. These articles will help with both storing and growing your hollyhock seeds: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/seeds/storing-seeds.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/fgen/harvesting-garden-seeds.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/tips-on-hollyhocks-growing-hollyhocks-successfully.htm
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My beautiful hollyhocks grow so tall they become too heavy and droop down. Staking them seems to ruin their appearance. Is there a way to have them grow shorter and fuller? Is there a better way of staking them? I use iron posts behind the hollyhocks, tie them to the post, but then they look all bunched together. Any ideas? Thank you so much!
I sometimes individually stake my hollyhocks. Some years they just are heavier and taller then others.
Planting in an area where the wind does not effect them can also help.
I want to grow hollyhocks in pots on my terrace garden. Can someone guide me as to what whether I should grow them from seeds? Also, how deep should the pot be so it has enough soil to grow?
Yes, you can grow Hollyhock in containers, but you will need quite large pots to grow this tall flowering biennial.
They can grow 5 to 6 feet tall. A good container would be a half whiskey barrel or something in that size range.
Here is a link with growing information.
Can hollyhocks be trimmed - making them shorter perhaps? I planted two this year - which have now reached approximately 9 feet....just concerned they will fall over/break, etc. Plus, they are taller than the roof of my garage roof.
Hollyhocks can be staked to prevent falling over.
If you trim them while they are blooming you will likely prematurely end the blossoming time of the plants.
Every day there are hollyhock blossoms that have fallen from the stalks. The blossoms are NOT withered. Seems like something is severing them off. We have noticed some ants on the stalks, but otherwise the plants look very healthy.
If you see ants it can be because they are attracted to honeydew, which is a secretion from other insects.
Try spraying the plants with Neem Oil.
Here are a few links for you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/what-is-honeydew.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/tips-on-hollyhocks-growing-hollyhocks-successfully.htm
Do hollyhocks have seeds that you can take off the plant and use to plant?
Yes, they do. This article will help with growing them: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/tips-on-hollyhocks-growing-hollyhocks-successfully.htm
Can or do you cut hollyhocks to ground before winter each year? My hollyhock has bowed to the ground I need to know if I can cut them off at ground level and have them come back.
Yes, you can cut them down.
I did the same to a few of mine today as they had fallen due to some heavy wind.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/winterizing-hollyhock-plants.htm