Hollyhocks are biennial plants, meaning they grow leaves the first year and flower and die the next.Depending on their growing conditions, your hollyhocks may return as a short-lived perennial.You might get flowers the first year if you start your hollyhocks indoors or in an area with a long growing season.The health of your hollyhocks can be determined by site selection, soil preparation, water management, and plant and seed care.
Step 1: Purchase seeds in a variety of colors.
Hollyhocks come in a seemingly endless assortment of shades of white, yellow, pink, maroon and red flowers, which grow on 6 to 9 foot (2 to 2.7 m) stalks.Hollyhocks will reseed themselves after a while.In the fall you can harvest seeds from plants.Some hollyhock varieties will grow a bit shorter or taller, so consider your space needs and height preferences as well.
Step 2: You can increase your chances of blooms by planning ahead.
hollyhock seeds can be started indoors in the fall if you live in an area with cold winters.Allow the seeds to grow for a while and experience a winter if you Germinate them in October or November.The flowers may bloom after this trick.If you live in a warmer climate, you can plant the seeds outdoors in the fall and get the same results.hollyhocks can be grown in the U.S. in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.You will definitely want to start indoors in cooler zones, the previous fall or early in the spring.You can sow seeds outdoors in the fall or spring in warmer zones.
Step 3: The seeds should be sown in individual pots.
Hollyhock seeds are large, have a high germination rate, and come few to a package, so it's best to plant each seed individually.Put the seeds 0.25 to 0.5 in the soil.Plastic "peat pots" filled with perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss are ideal for small plants.Near a window, place the trays.It is necessary to water the soil to keep it moist.In 1 to 2 weeks, hollyhock seeds will start to grow.
Step 4: In 10 to 15 cm pots, transplant the seeds into 4 to 6 in pots.
If you are growing plants indoors in the winter, you only need to do this.If you start early in the spring, you can go straight from the pots to the outdoors.Water the pots regularly and keep them in a sunny spot.
Step 5: The hollyhocks can be planted outdoors in the spring.
Wait until after the signs of frost have passed, and the average soil temperature is at least 50 F.If you didn't start the plants indoors, you can sow the hollyhock seeds directly in the ground.If you want to estimate the soil temperature in your area, you can use a growing guide for your local area.
Step 6: There is a sunny garden location.
Hollyhocks can be grown in a number of climates.If your garden provides at least 6 hours of daily sunlight, your plants are more likely to thrive.Hollyhocks can tolerate partial shade if they get at least 6 hours of sun a day, but the flowers may be smaller and not as vibrant.
Step 7: A sheltered spot is what you should pick.
hollyhocks are more vulnerable to winds and precipitation because they grow so tall.They can be planted near a wall, tucked into a corner of fencing, or in a garden with other flowers of similar height.
Step 8: The area where the soil stays moist should drain well.
After a good rain shower, keep an eye on your growing spot.If the soil is moist and not muddy or puddled with water, it will be okay for hollyhocks.
Step 9: If needed, compost the soil.
Hollyhocks grow best in rich soil.Adding compost and/or aged manure to your planting area will increase the amount of nitrogen in the soil.Hollyhocks can thrive in any soil pH range from 6.0 to 8.0.If necessary, you may want to amend the soil's pH.
Step 10: Plants are placed 12 to 24 in (30 to 61 cm) apart.
If they are particularly tall, you may want to go with 18 to 36 in spacing.At a depth that puts the transplant soil either level with or slightly above the existing garden soil, you can transplant seedlings.If you are sowing seeds directly into the soil, plant the seeds 3 to 6 in apart and 0.25 to 0.5 in deep, and thin the seedlings to the larger spacing of your choice.
Step 11: A good initial watering can be given to each transplant.
You don't have to drown them.The ground should be moistened to a depth greater than 1 inch.To test it, use your finger.
Step 12: Each plant should be surrounded with 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch.
The mulch helps to keep the soil moist, provides a weed barrier, and creates an environment for seeds to burrow into in the fall.You can buy organic mulch at any garden center.Spread the mulch evenly around the base of the plant.
Step 13: Water hollyhocks to keep the soil moist.
The best way to know when to water is to stick your finger into the soil.Add water to the base of the plant if it is more than 1 inch deep.For the first few weeks, water them daily, then twice per week for the rest of the growing season.This is dependent on a number of factors.
Step 14: If you want to improve flower yields, apply an organic flowerfertilizer.
Follow the instructions given for the product.Every 1-2 weeks, you'll apply flower fertilization.Hollyhocks don't flower at all during the first year, and flower fertilization will not change this.Be patient for next year!
Step 15: Tie up or stake it.
hollyhocks can have trouble standing in windy locations and loose soil.Tie the hollyhocks in a way that will allow for good air circulation and continued growth.Hollyhocks are great tied to fencing.
Step 16: After the plants are done flowering, keep watering them.
If you want to keep the plant growing next season or use the seeds, this is important.The seeds on the stalks are still growing and will be used for next year's flowers.When the plants are first growing, water them at the base instead of top-down, and try to limit splashing on the leaves.hollyhocks are particularly susceptible to leaf diseases that can be spread by splashes of water.
Step 17: Right away, treat the leaves.
Hollyhock is prone to diseases.If you see leaves that are discolored or have a powdery substance on them, you should assume it is a fungus.Pick up or discard the leaves, and keep your gardening tools clean.If you see a malformation of leaves or buds, spray the plants with sulfur- or copper-based fungicide sprays.If you spot a disease on a hollyhock plant, take action as soon as possible.
Step 18: Get rid of insects with soap.
Make the soap mix with the water by shaking it.You can spray the soap onto the leaves with a spray bottle.The tops and bottoms of leaves should be covered.You can mix dish soap and cayenne pepper with water and spray it on the leaves as an alternative.
Step 19: If you want to collect seeds, you should harvest the seedpods.
Wait until the Pods are completely dry.Pick the pods and separate the seeds from the husk.Leave the seeds on the plants and let them dry and open.If your plant shows signs of a disease, don't let the seeds fall.Any new hollyhocks can be spread by the fungus.
Step 20: Plant or store hollyhock seeds.
If your hollyhocks do well in that spot, you can either plant the seeds in the same area of the garden or let them fall off the plant.Fall-planted seeds will grow in the spring.If you want to start another cycle of indoor hollyhocks in hopes of getting blooms during their first year outdoors, you need to sow the seeds immediately in seed trays.You could store the seeds in the fridge for next spring's planting.
Step 21: Cut and cover the plants in the winter.
Before the first heavy frost, cut the plants down to ground level and cover them with a layer of mulch.The root system is not active.Even in warmer climates, cutting down the plants for winter can help keep bugs away.Some growers prefer to cover the stump with coal ash and leave several inches of the plant intact.The ash discourages snails and slugs.