Cultivation Methods and Planting Techniques for the Medicinal Plant Hollyhock

Hollyhock, also known as Yizhanghong, Dashuji, Rongkui, Wukui, Doupenghua, etc., is a biennial erect herbaceous plant of the genus Althaea in the family Malvaceae. It originated in Sichuan, China, and is now widely distributed throughout China. Its tender leaves and flowers are edible, its bark provides high-quality fiber, and the whole plant is used as medicine. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, relieving cough and promoting diuresis. The root can be used as a lubricant. It has high cultivation value. Let us take a look at the planting methods for hollyhock!

Growth Habits of Hollyhock

Hollyhock is widely distributed in China, found in East China, Central China, North China, and South China, and is widely cultivated around the world. It prefers full sunlight and tolerates partial shade, but dislikes waterlogging. It has strong salt-alkali tolerance and can still grow in soil with 0.6% salt content. It is cold-tolerant and can safely overwinter outdoors in North China. It grows well in loose, fertile, well-drained sandy soil rich in organic matter.

Propagation Methods of Hollyhock

1. Sowing: In North China, sowing generally results in flowering in the same year. Seeds germinate after about one week, and when 2 to 3 true leaves have grown, transplant once.

2. Division: Hollyhock division propagation can be carried out in August to September. Dig up old plants, divide the stem buds with fibrous roots for replanting, water thoroughly immediately after planting, and they can bloom the following year.

3. Cuttings: For hollyhock cuttings in spring, select stem sections from basal shoots as cuttings, about 7 to 8 cm long, use sandy soil as the medium, and shade after cutting until roots develop.

Planting Methods for Hollyhock

1. Watering: When hollyhock seedlings grow 2 to 3 true leaves, they should be transplanted once with increased spacing between plants and rows. Water timely after transplanting. Water appropriately during the flowering period to encourage a long flowering period and good blooms, continuing all the way to the top of the stems.

2. Fertilizing: During the seedling growth stage of hollyhock, attention should be paid to fertilizing, weeding, and loosening the soil to promote robust plant growth. After flower buds form in the leaf axils, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer as a top dressing, and trim a few leaves from the base.

3. Root pruning: When planting hollyhock, to keep plants low and prevent lodging, in June use a spade to cut roots in a cone shape around the plant, pruning roots once every 2 to 3 weeks, then water immediately for maintenance.

4. Harvesting: Hollyhock fruits should be harvested immediately when they turn yellow and ripe to prevent seeds from scattering. After the flowering period ends, cut off the above-ground parts of the plant, and when new shoots sprout, clustered plants can form. Hollyhock is prone to aging and should be renewed after 2 to 3 years of cultivation.

Pest and Disease Control for Hollyhock

1. Hollyhock Rust

[Damage] Perennial old hollyhock plants are prone to hollyhock rust. Infected plants develop yellowed or dead leaves, and brown, powdery spore masses can be seen on the undersides of leaves.

[Control] Spraying Bordeaux mixture on plants in spring or summer, or disinfecting seeds before sowing, can achieve control results. In the early stages of 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 results.

2. Red Spider Mites

[Damage] Hollyhock is harmed by red spider mites during the growing period.

[Control] When infestation is severe, use 1.8% abamectin emulsifiable concentrate at 7000 to 9000 times dilution for uniform spraying, or use 15% pyridaben emulsifiable concentrate at 2500 to 3000 times dilution, both with good control results. Do not use dichlorvos to kill mites, as dichlorvos stimulates mite reproduction. Do not use pyrethroid pesticides, as they are basically ineffective against mites.

3. Cotton Leaf Roller

[Damage] Sometimes the cotton leaf roller also harms hollyhock leaves.

[Control] When infestation 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% mibeman suspension concentrate at 1500 to 2000 times dilution, etc.

4. White Spot Disease

[Damage] Hollyhock white spot disease mainly harms the leaves of hollyhock. In the early stages, small brown spots appear on the leaf surface. As the disease progresses, the spots gradually expand into circular, oval, or irregular shapes, with the center of the spots appearing grayish-white and the outer edges reddish-brown. In humid environments, a grayish-brown mold layer can form on the spots.

[Control] Remove diseased leaves promptly, pay attention to stem density, and keep plants well-ventilated and exposed to light. Increase the application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, and apply less or no nitrogen fertilizer. In the early stages of 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 control the disease.

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