When to plant hollyhock from seeds

Hollyhock is an incredibly beautiful, stately plant. Not only does it become a decorative element of any garden or property, but it is also believed to protect the home from evil spirits.

The most difficult part is growing hollyhocks from seeds, and also finding the right time to plant them. If the seeds take root, caring for them will be easy. Hollyhocks are planted not only by homeowners but also in front of apartment buildings and near park gazebos. Their popularity is easy to explain: hollyhocks grow on long, slender stems. They are the tallest plants you can find in a flowerbed. Their bright, fragrant flowers, which bloom profusely, will captivate even the most inexperienced gardeners.

Hollyhock: growing from seed and when to plant can be found in this article. Especially if you don't have time to fuss with fussy roses, then hollyhock will be a charming alternative.

Growing from seeds

Hollyhock is also known as mallow. This perennial plant is most often grown as a biennial. Growing hollyhock from seed begins with deciding when to plant (photo). Growing can begin at the end of the last month of spring or at the very beginning of summer, in early June.

Growing begins with planting seeds in holes spaced 20 centimeters apart. You can reduce the distance between holes to avoid gaps in the flowerbed if any seedlings fail to emerge. The seeds are planted in open ground at a depth of about 3-4 centimeters. The first shoots emerge within 14 days of sowing. Since hollyhocks do not transplant well, they are planted directly in the ground without the need for seedling cultivation.It's important to remember that the plant is unlikely to bloom in the first year after planting. During this period, the flower's root system is formed, as is the rosette of its first large leaves. The stem growsrose with rough stems and leaves, this is nothing to be afraid of.

Mallow blooms in its second year, in the height of summer. This unusual rose blooms for about two months. The flowers themselves are bell-shaped, which undoubtedly makes them stand out from other flowers. They can be single or double, depending on the variety. The color range of this flower is so diverse that it's difficult to list them all. However, the only shades missing from this palette are blue and light blue.

Toward the end of flowering, the plant produces fruits—seed pods consisting of numerous arillets. There can be 20 to 40 arillets, which appear around the inflorescence. The seeds of this flower ripen on the spent stems for about four weeks.

Seeds should be collected when the seed pods turn yellow. It's recommended to finish drying the seeds indoors, as they may die in the open air.

Interesting! Hollyhocks look beautiful in flowerbeds when planted in different shades. The result is a vibrant, rainbow-colored arrangement of delicate mallows.

When growing hollyhocks from seeds, in addition to knowing when to harvest, it's important to consider that the plant prefers full sun. If planted in a shady spot, it may fail to bloom in the second year. Growing hollyhocks isn't difficult at all if you consider their needs. For example, mallows prefer dry, poor soil, which is beneficial for gardeners. It's important to water moderately, as too much moisture can cause root rot, ultimately killing the entire plant.

How to care for a plant

The best location for growing hollyhocks from seed is a sunny spot with loose, moderately moist soil. The flower will benefit from high nitrogen content in the soil. This will ensure the hollyhock grows on a strong, long stem.

Hollyhock blooms for a long time and has large buds, but if faded flowers are not cut off, this can lead to the plant becoming depleted and the flowering period ending prematurely.

If the soil is infertile, it needs to be fertilized, especially during the active growth phase. If this isn't done, the flower's stems will develop weak and may break in strong gusts of wind. To prevent stem breakage, the plant can be staked. It's best to grow hollyhocks near a fence or hedge so the stems have support.

Depending on the variety, mallow requires winter protection, as it is not frost-resistant. In the fall, the plant can be covered with fallen leaves and pine branches. This creates a warm "blanket" for the flower, allowing it to survive the winter without any problems.

Despite its low maintenance, hollyhock can be a magnet for various diseases. The most common are rust, powdery mildew, and mosaic virus. These diseases occur if the plant lacks color, is cold, or the soil is too wet.

Important! To prevent diseases, seeds should be treated with a colloidal sulfur solution or special antifungal preparations for plants before sowing them in open ground. If grown Perennial phlox: planting and care (photo) A special one is required.

White spots can sometimes appear on hollyhock leaves, which is a bad sign. In such cases, the plant needs to be treated with fungicides, which are also used for vegetable crops.

Some interesting facts about the plant:

• The word "stock" is translated as "stick", which is what the plant stem resembles;
• The stem can reach two and a half meters in length;
• Hollyhock is a symbol of honor and sun;

Growing hollyhock from seed may seem daunting. But if you consider the planting timing and all its care instructions, the process becomes very easy. The flower will reward you with abundant blooms, a unique fragrance, and beautiful, bright, and lush petals. Hollyhock is a true queen among flowers, thanks to its slender and stately form!