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hollyhock seeds

Julie398Julie398 Posts: 10
in Plants
I have collected seeds from some hollyhocks that just appeared in my garden and was wondering if I could just scatter them now as if they'd just dropped from the plant? Or should I wait for a better time? I don't have a greenhouse or shed. Many thanks, Julie

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  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    I have grown hollyhocks for a number of years Julie.  I have always dried the seeds inside and planted them into 3" pots around September/October time, keeping them in our greenhouse over winter and planting the seedlings outside when they are a few inches tall, in their final flowering position in March or April - when all signs of frost have passed.

    As you don't have a greenhouse, you could do as I do but put the pots in a sunny windowsill or sunny, sheltered spot in the garden where you can keep an eye on them. Don't let them dry out though - they are quite thirsty plants. I have never had any randomly growing in the garden from dropped seed - you could try both ways and keep the best.
  • ju1i3ju1i3 Posts: 189
    edited October 2018
    In my experience hollyhocks are tough as old boots. I scatter the seeds and they also self-seed themselves. I did collect some and plant them recently as the drought seemed to be hard on them although I didn't water them. The seedlings are growing quite happily outside and I'm going to leave them there.

    The only problem I've had with them recently is noticing holes in the seeds from hollyhock weevil. I assume any viable seed will germinate (which it has) and next year when they flower I hope to remove/reduce any from the plants before they ruin the flowers.

    This pic shows how tough they are. They self-seeded in a crack between paving stones (from a plant in a pot I put there for my neighbours last year). This survived the drought this year without watering and bloomed beautifully. This was in August.


  • Julie398Julie398 Posts: 10
    Thank you so much;  I think I'll try a bit of both:)
    Are weevils easy to see and easy to get rid of? I had holes in the leaves of this year's hollyhocks.
  • ju1i3ju1i3 Posts: 189

    the weevils attack the flowers, not the leaves, as far as I know


  • ju1i3ju1i3 Posts: 189
    some of my seedlings yesterday
  • Big Blue SkyBig Blue Sky Posts: 700
    ju1i3 - I didn't realise the seeds need to be planted now and not in spring. Will do that this weekend then, as I have some very pretty ones and was hoping to get them started in our garden.
    Surrey
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    ju1 - personally I wouldn't plant out any seedlings that are as small as these.  I would wait until they are a few inches tall with larger leaves.  I doubt if these would survive the winter and you would gain nothing from planting them outside now.

    Big Blue Sky - I think most of us have sown our seeds in late summer/early autumn whilst there is still plenty of daylight and the air is still warm.  I wouldn't sow any seeds now, they probably wouldn't germinate due to lack of daylight and cooler air.  I will start again in February or March (under cloches/glass/windowsill or greenhouse) - when the daylight hours are lengthening and hopefully the air is warming up.
  • Big Blue SkyBig Blue Sky Posts: 700

    Oops, only noticed the advice by @Guernsey Donkey2 now :/

    I planted a dozen or so seeds last weekend - ah well, I'm sure they'll be alright :)

    Thank you for your advice GD2 :)

    Surrey
  • ju1i3ju1i3 Posts: 189
    these are outside, as are those above, I am just imitating what happens to the seeds naturally really, sure yours will be fine @Big Blue Sky 


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