Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) is a biennial, semi-hardy plant valued for its colorful flowers that appear on tall flower stalks in summer. The plants self-seed easily, so new seeds or plants are rarely needed to maintain an existing, well-established and healthy stock of hollyhocks. However, seeds are necessary to propagate hollyhocks by planting new locations or to plant the plants early. The germination of the plant can be maintained for 4 years, but the growth of seedlings decreases after two or three years after sowing. The seedlings are susceptible to cataplasms. Therefore, care of the seedbed should be increased.
Collecting and storing seeds
You can propagate hollyhocks from seeds in August or September,if the seedsare ripe and it will bloom next spring. If you sow in spring, it will not bloom that year. In the south, seeds are often sown in autumn, while in the north they are mainly planted in spring. To collect hollyhock seeds, wait until the spent petals fall off and the plump green disc at the bottom of the flower turns yellowish-brown.
Shortly after this color change, the tip opens and the seeds become visible. Pick the disc off just before or after it opens. Allow the disc to dry for a few days, peel off the top and take out the seeds. Place them on a plate in direct sunlight for a few hours to drive out any weevils. Remove the seeds from direct light and allow them to dry for a few more days before placing them in an envelope or suitable container for storage. Hollyhock can cause skin irritation. Therefore, wear sleeves and gloves when working near the plant or handling parts of it.
Start sowing indoors
Start hollyhock seeds indoors in winter to bloom the same year, or in spring to get a head start or to make outdoor planting easier. Use a container with sterile culture medium. A suitable germination medium must be well-drained and could contain a mixture of peat moss, perlite or vermiculite. Sow the hollyhock seeds on the substrate and cover them with only a light layer. Place in bright, indirect light and place the container in a plastic bag or under a plastic or glass cover to promote a moist environment. Hollyhock seeds germinate at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. Once the seedlings have emerged, you should reduce the humidity and place the young plants in more direct light.
Planting the seeds directly into the ground
If you wish, you can plant the hollyhock seeds directly in the ground. Sow the seeds in the desired location from spring until about two months before the first frost. Don't cover the seeds, as they germinate better in light, and water them thoroughly and keep them evenly moist until the seedlings emerge, about 10 to 14 days. To ensure successful cultivation, choose a suitable location with sufficient sunlight and prepare the soil if necessary.
The hollyhock requires well-drained soil to thrive. Work additions likewell-rotted compost, manure or other organic matter into the soil to improve structure and drainage. Before sowing, the soil must be disinfected to prevent and control diseases and pests. Usually the seeds germinate within 7 days and are transplanted when they have 2-3 leaves. It is best to transplant them on cloudy and rainy days, and thinning is very beneficial to the growth of the plant.
Promoting reseeding
StockrosensowThey usually come out easily without having to be encouraged. However, if an established stand is thinning or plants are suffering, inspection and implementation of corrective action may be warranted. The larvae of the hollyhock weevil consume the seed embryos, destroying the viability of the seeds, experts say. Inspect seed discs before seeds fall and remove and destroy infected seeds. If a hollyhock stand is suffering from poor soil, collect the ripe seeds and set them aside, working liberallySoil improver into the areaand sow the seeds on the improved soil.
Hollyhocks propagate by division
Hollyhocks can be propagated by division, usually in the fall.The perennial hollyhockis dug out of the ground, and the stem buds are divided into clumps with a sharp knife, making sure that each clump has two or three buds. They are then planted individually in a substrate, which is usually a fertile, well-drained sandy soil. Once planted, the new plants can bloom next year.
Propagation of the plant by cuttings
You can propagate hollyhocks by cuttings after flowering until winter. As a rule, the side branches germinating at the base of the old stem of the plant with a length of about 8 cm are selected as cuttings; sandy soil is usually used as the substrate. After cutting, the seedbed is covered with plastic wrap, maintaining a certain level of moisture and placed in the shade until roots develop. When cutting in winter, it is necessary to place a heater on the bottom of the seedbed to increase the soil temperature, maintain the temperature of the seedbed and accelerate the growth of new roots.
