Leaf spots
KirstyB2
Posts: 43
My young hollyhocks (I hope that's what they are) have orange yucky looking spots on them. At the moment I have just removed the worst leaf, but I'd be interested to know what it is, is it terminal, do I have to do more than just remove leaves?
0
Posts
Afraid that's hollyhock rust
not usually terminal but disfiguring. Various methods of control here http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=564
Remove affected leaves and burn.
In the past I've found that hollyhocks grown in poor ground without the use of fertilisers manage to avoid succumbing to rust far better than those grown in rich soils with the use of fertilisers.
Good luck.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Rust and its fatal.
Hmm, it is damp here and I've maybe crowded the plant a bit. I guess if a pant isn't right for a place it lets you know.
I had to give up growing them because of rust, Kirsty. They used to grow fine many years ago but it seems the air pollution back then (sulphurous smoke from burning coal) actually helped protect against it. I have tried spraying with fungicide from seeding emergence to adulthood, different soil types and planting aspects, and pots. Nothing prevented rust finally killing the plants, but some of them did get to produce nice flowers, although the ugly rusted leaves and stems always took away a lot of the pleasure. The good news is there are lots of other plants so I don't miss them too much!
Hmm, I've usually managed to enjoy hollyhocks for a few years (2 or 3 at least) before they turn up their toes. Then I have a break from them from a few years, and then have another go.
But as I said, I do find that growing them hard and tough in poor soil does help. I've not tried them in the lovely soil in this garden.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Sadly this was only its second year. I shall have to see it as an opportunity to try something else.