How to grow hollyhocks? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and precautions
Hollyhock, also known as yizhanghong, is a biennial upright herbaceous plant in the mallow family. It is very widely distributed in our country, and hollyhock has high ornamental value, as it can be used both for landscaping and as a potted plant. Moreover, its roots, flowers, leaves and other organs can be used as medicine and have many medicinal effects. So how should hollyhocks be cultivated? Below, the editor brings you the cultivation methods and precautions for hollyhocks. Let's take a look!
1. Soil selection
Before growing hollyhocks, we first need to choose the soil well. Although hollyhocks do not have very high soil requirements and have strong adaptability, able to grow normally in saline-alkali soil. But the quality of the soil will determine the growth of hollyhocks, so we should choose a soft, highly fertile soil with normal drainage and irrigation and rich organic matter for cultivation. Suitable soil is very important for the growth of hollyhocks, so everyone must pay close attention. Then we also need to deeply plow and disinfect the soil, and apply sufficient base fertilizer.
2. Planting management
Hollyhocks have strong growth ability, so management is not very difficult either. When the hollyhock seedlings grow to about 2-3 true leaves, thinning should be done well to widen the spacing between plants and rows. After thinning and transplanting, water appropriately, then carry out one intertillage and weeding before flowering, and topdress about twice. The fertilizer should be mainly phosphorus and potassium fertilizer. During the seedling growth period, we should also topdress an appropriate amount of liquid nitrogen fertilizer. And frequently loosen the soil and weed to ensure normal growth of the hollyhocks. In order to extend the flowering time of hollyhocks, we should maintain sufficient moisture. After the flowers fade, cut off the aboveground part to promote the sprouting of new buds.
3. Water and fertilizer management
When planting and managing hollyhocks, the most important thing is water and fertilizer management. During the planting process, pay attention to watering frequently to maintain a moist environment. Provide sufficient water for the growth of hollyhocks, but also pay attention to controlling the amount of water, not too much, to prevent waterlogging damage to the hollyhocks. And as just mentioned, during the flowering period, water more to increase the number of flowers and extend the flowering period. When fertilizing, not only should sufficient base fertilizer be applied, but during its growth period, liquid fertilizer mainly based on nitrogen fertilizer should also be topdressed about twice. After the flower buds form, then topdress twice with liquid fertilizer mainly based on phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.
4. Precautions
Hollyhock is a light-loving plant, so the first thing we should pay attention to is maintaining an environment with sufficient light. Except in summer, hollyhocks can be exposed to direct sunlight, but during the season of strong light in summer, attention should be paid to doing a good job of shading to prevent the leaves from being scorched by the sun. The suitable growth temperature for hollyhocks is around 25-30 degrees, and after entering the flowering period, 26-28 degrees is the optimal temperature range. If the monthly average temperature is lower than 17 degrees, it will affect flowering. So everyone must pay attention to controlling the temperature well, but the underground part of the hollyhock has strong cold resistance and can overwinter in the open field in winter.
The above is a brief introduction to the cultivation methods and precautions for hollyhocks. That's all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!