Hollyhock Seed Sowing Methods and Steps Explained in Detail

Hollyhock is a biennial upright herbaceous plant of the genus Alcea in the mallow family, usually propagated by sowing, and can also be propagated by division and cuttings. Division propagation is carried out in spring, and the cutting method is only used to propagate certain superior varieties. In production, sowing propagation is mainly used, with spring sowing being the main method in North China. Now let us take a look at how to grow hollyhock from seed!

Growth Habits of Hollyhock

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

How to Grow Hollyhock from Seed?

Hollyhock can be sown in either spring or autumn. Depending on the amount of hollyhock seed, it can be sown in an open-field seedbed and then transplanted as seedlings, or directly sown in the open field without further transplanting. In the south, autumn sowing is often used, usually in September in an open-field seedbed, and germination is uniform. In the north, spring sowing is mainly used. Hollyhock seeds can be sown once mature; under normal conditions, the seeds germinate in about 7 days. The germination capacity of hollyhock seeds can be maintained for 4 years, but sown plants show decline in growth after 2 to 3 years. For direct sowing in the open field, if combined appropriately with transplanting on rainy days, you can both thin the seedlings and grow flowers once for many years of enjoyment.

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, and watered promptly after transplanting. During the flowering period, they should be watered appropriately 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 period of hollyhock, attention should be paid to fertilizing, weeding and loosening the soil so that the plants grow strong and healthy. After flower buds form in the leaf axils, phosphate and potassium fertilizers need to be applied as a top dressing, and a few of the basal leaves should be trimmed off.

3. Root cutting: When planting hollyhock, in order to keep the plants short and prevent lodging, in June you can use a spade to cut the roots in a cone shape around the plant, cutting the roots once every 2 to 3 weeks, then water immediately for care.

4. Harvesting: When the hollyhock fruit turns yellow and ripe, it should be harvested immediately to prevent the seeds from scattering. After the flowering period ends, the above-ground part of the plant can be cut off, and when new shoots sprout, a clustered plant can form. Hollyhock tends to age, and after 2 to 3 years of cultivation it should be renewed.

How to Sow Hollyhock Seeds

Sowing Season

Sowing hollyhock seeds is very simple, and the sowing season requires no special attention. After the hollyhock seeds mature between August and September, they can be sown, and if sown at this time, they will bloom the following year.

Sowing the Seeds

After the seeds mature, choose a piece of fertile land with good air permeability (or mix some nutrient soil), scatter the seeds evenly, and cover with a small amount of soil. Remember to water thoroughly the first time you sow.

Care

The care steps include watering, fertilizing and root cutting.

Watering

In addition to watering thoroughly the first time you sow, you should also water appropriately when the hollyhock is flowering, to promote normal and healthy growth of the hollyhock.

Fertilizing

The care of all plants is inseparable from fertilizing. It should be noted that the fertilizing period is during the seedling growth stage of the hollyhock. At this time, the hollyhock roots are not fully developed and cannot yet absorb nutrients normally from the soil, so appropriate fertilizing at this time can increase the survival rate of the hollyhock.

Root Cutting

The result of root cutting is that the hollyhock will be relatively shorter. Do not fall into the misconception that shorter means it is not a good plant, because the hollyhock itself is relatively tall, and when it becomes too tall it will lodge, so the purpose of root cutting is to prevent the hollyhock from lodging. Around June, cut the roots in a cone shape around the hollyhock, generally cutting the roots once every two to three weeks.

Hollyhock Seed Sowing Methods, Sowing Time in Spring and Autumn

The seed sowing method of hollyhock is the most commonly used propagation method. Hollyhock sowing is generally best carried out in the two seasons of spring and autumn. The hollyhock seed sowing methods are summarized below.

Hollyhock sowing time is generally in either spring or autumn. It is recommended that the southern region use autumn sowing, and the northern region use spring sowing.

For the potting soil for sowing hollyhock, you can use 80% pond mud + 20% peat soil. Of course, if you do not want something simpler, you can also use 100% pond mud;

Scatter the mature hollyhock seeds onto the prepared soil. Remember to scatter the seeds evenly, not all in one place. After scattering the seeds evenly, remember to spread a thin layer of soil over the surface of the seeds, remember to water thoroughly, and then cover with a lid

Just place it in a ventilated place. Generally, about one week after sowing, they will sprout. When the hollyhock seedlings grow 2-3 true leaves, they can be transplanted, and generally they can bloom the following year.