When to Sow Hollyhock Seeds? A Detailed Guide to Planting Methods
SummarySeeds: Choose fertile, well-aerated soil and scatter the seeds evenly; water thoroughly after the first sowing. Watering: When the seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves, transplant once, increasing the spacing between plants and rows, and water promptly after transplanting. Fertilizing: Apply appropriate fertilizer and loosen the soil during the seedling growth period; after flower buds form in the leaf axils, promptly apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer as a top dressing. Root cutting: To prevent the plants from being too short and lodging, cut the roots once every 2-3 weeks after June, then water immediately for care. Pests and diseases: Prevent hollyhock rust, red spider mites, etc.
Everyone is surely familiar with the hollyhock; it is a very common flower in our country. The hollyhock has high value, being both ornamental and medicinal, so it is deeply loved by people. This has attracted many people who want to grow it. Before planting, you must first have an in-depth understanding of it.
When to Sow Hollyhock Seeds (Which Month)
Hollyhock seeds can generally be sown after the seeds mature, between August and September, and if sown at this time, they will bloom the following year.
Planting Methods for Hollyhock Seeds
1. Sowing seeds: After the seeds mature, choose a piece of fertile, well-aerated land (or mix some nutrient soil), scatter the seeds evenly, and cover them with a small amount of soil. Remember to water thoroughly on the first sowing.
2. Watering: When hollyhock seedlings grow 2 to 3 true leaves, they should be transplanted once, increasing the spacing between plants and rows, and watered promptly after transplanting. Water appropriately during the flowering period to encourage a long flowering period and good blooms, flowering all the way to the top of the stems.
3. Fertilizing: For hollyhocks, pay attention to fertilizing and loosening the soil during the seedling growth period to make the plants grow robustly. After flower buds form in the leaf axils, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer as a top dressing, and trim off a few of the leaves at the base.
4. Root cutting: When planting hollyhocks, to keep the plants low and prevent lodging, in June use a spade to cut the roots in a cone shape around the plant, cutting the roots once every 2-3 weeks, then water immediately for care.
Propagation Methods for Hollyhocks
1. Division method. Hollyhocks are generally divided in autumn. Dig the perennial hollyhock out of the soil, use a sharp blade to divide the stem buds into several small clumps, ensuring each clump has two or three buds. Then plant them separately in a substrate, generally choosing fertile, well-drained sandy soil as the substrate. Water thoroughly once immediately after planting, and they will bloom the following year.
2. Cutting method. Cuttings can be taken from after the flowering period until winter. Generally, select side shoots sprouting from the base of old hollyhock stems as cuttings, about 8 cm in length, with sand generally used as the substrate. After cutting, cover the seedbed with plastic film, maintain a certain humidity, and place it in a shaded area until roots grow. For cuttings taken in winter, a heating device needs to be laid under the seedbed to increase the ground temperature, maintain the seedbed temperature, and accelerate the growth of new roots.
Common Pests and Diseases of Hollyhocks and Their Control Methods
1. Hollyhock rust: Spraying Bordeaux mixture on the plants in spring or summer, or disinfecting the seeds before sowing, can achieve a control effect. In the early stage of the disease, spray 15% triadimefon wettable powder at 1000 times dilution, or 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable powder at 1000 to 1500 times dilution, or 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 600 times dilution, etc., spraying once every 7 to 10 days, for 2 to 3 consecutive sprays, all with good control effects.
2. Red spider mites: When the infestation is severe, use 1.8% abamectin emulsifiable concentrate at 7000 to 9000 times dilution for uniform spray control, or use 15% pyridaben emulsifiable concentrate at 2500 to 3000 times dilution, both with good control effects. Do not use dichlorvos to kill mites; dichlorvos has the effect of stimulating mite proliferation. Do not use pyrethroid pesticides; they are basically ineffective against mites.
3. Cotton leaf roller: When it occurs, spray Bt wettable powder with a content of 16000 IU/mg at 500 to 700 times dilution, or 25% diflubenzuron suspension concentrate at 1500 to 2000 times dilution, or 20% miman suspension concentrate at 1500 to 2000 times dilution, etc.
4. White spot disease: Remove diseased leaves promptly, pay attention to the density of branches and stems, and keep the plants well-ventilated and exposed to light. Increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, and apply little or no nitrogen fertilizer. In the early stage of the disease, spray 75% chlorothalonil wettable granules at 800 times dilution, or 50% carbendazim wettable granules at 500 times dilution, or 70% thiophanate-methyl wettable granules at 1200 times dilution for control, once every 10 days, for 3 to 4 consecutive sprays to effectively bring the disease under control.
Hollyhocks have no particular season for planting; when the seeds mature is fine. The planting method is also very simple; the main thing is to strengthen the field management in the later period and control the amount of fertilizer and water well. Hollyhocks may also be attacked by pests and diseases, so this work must also be done well; only in this way can hollyhocks grow healthily.