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Top Questions About Hollyhocks

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Questions About Hollyhocks

  • Answered by
    MichiganDot on
    August 10, 2017
    A.

    I live in Michigan and have a spectacular hollyhock that "volunteered" in my yard. But, it first showed up last year. Hollyhocks are usually biennial; they form a basal clump of leaves the first year and don't bloom until year 2. Afterward they die. They will self-sow or you can collect seed so you should have plenty by staggering the sowing over 2 years. If you cut the plant all the way down after blooming, it may live another year. They are very prone to rust infection which overwinters in the soil if the infested plant parts aren't removed promptly. Even so, rotating where you sow seed makes a lot of sense but do not save seed from heavily infested plants. Give them lots of room as air circulation reduces risk of rust, a fungal infection, as well as the risk of spreading it from one hollyhock to another (or other member of the Malva family like hibiscus).

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  • Answered by
    MichiganDot on
    August 13, 2017
    A.

    Cut them down to the basal leaves or about 2" from the ground. If you don't have any basal leaves, pull the stem and roots. Many hollyhocks are biennial and die after flowering. I wouldn't compost the material unless you are sure it is free of any fungal disease, a common hollyhock problem. Pick up any fallen leaves and other plant material.

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  • Answered by
    Downtoearthdigs on
    August 15, 2017
    A.

    Hollyhocks typically don't bloom in their first year, so they will probably bloom next year. To promote flowers, make sure the nitrogen content of the soil is not too high, because this will prevent flowering in many plants. Here is some more information:

    https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/plant-not-blooming.htm

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  • Answered by
    BushDoctor on
    September 7, 2017
    Certified Expert
    A.

    It has been my experience that hollyhocks, in most cases, will reproduce on their own, however you can harvest the seeds before they fall off to ensure that you have the next generation ready. This article will help:https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/tips-on-hollyhocks-growing-hollyhocks-successfully.htm

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  • Answered by
    BushDoctor on
    September 7, 2017
    Certified Expert
    A.

    I would recommend potassium silicate, also commonly sold under just the name "silica" This will help the stems remain sturdy. Here is an article that will also help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/hollyhock/tips-on-hollyhocks-growing-hollyhocks-successfully.htm

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  • Answered by
    BushDoctor on
    October 5, 2017
    Certified Expert
    A.

    I do have a method that I use to get rid of insect pests, fungal infections, and to help recondition the soil. Obtain as many of the ingredients as you can, as the more you have the better it works. The recipe is as follows:

    irst, you will want to prime the soil with dolomitic lime, then spread wettable sulfur to Kill off any infection in the soil. I Also like to spray the plant itself. Mix a few drops of one or more of these ingredients into warm water with a spoonful of coconut oil: Rosemary oil, lavender oil, neem oil, garlic oil, cinnamon extract/oil and for really bad cases, also add clove oil.

    Here is more information on removal of these pests: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-root-weevil.htm

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  • Answered by
    MichiganDot on
    October 25, 2017
    A.

    This sounds like leaf miners. Make sure not to compost the infected plant. Here are control options: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/leaf-miner-control.htm
    If you decide leaf miners are not the problem, please submit a picture of the affected plant leaves.

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