Talkback: Hollyhock rust

Gardeners' World Web User

My first year also growing a hollyhock, again planted last year and did nothing, and I have had rust and scrapped the plant. May try again next year as I think they look so lovely.

Gardeners' World Web User

I planted hollyhocks last year, nothing happened! However, this year 1 is more than 6' tall with lovely red flowers, (just opening) the shoot off it will be opening soon. HOWEVER, I didn't realise there was such a thing as hollyhock rust and boy! do I have some! You suggest removing leaves, is this all I can do, or should I spray with something - eg Fairy Liquid? Please give me some hints please. I also have a Mallow, but quite a few yards away. Will this one be OK?

Gardeners' World Web User

Please can you tell me can i grow Helleborus from seed. Love the programme. thank you.

Gardeners' World Web User

My hollyhocks have suffered so much with rust all I had left last year were a spikes of flowers with no leaves, so this year I've started again from scratch from seed. I have 8 heathy little plants in 3" pots in the greenhouse, I did notice yesterday 3 more had come through in the seed tray I used which I had put outside the greenhouse. Do they germinate at different times for any reason and do you think its worth hanging on to the tray a while longer? in case any more will come.I've never grown them from seed before I've always bought plants ready for flowering that year, so how long do I leave them in their own pots before planting them into the garden? and now they're between 2-3" across do I leave them in the greenhouse or not?

Gardeners' World Web User

My hollyhocks have suffered so much with rust all I had left last year were a spikes of flowers with no leaves, so this year I've started again from scratch from seed. I have 8 healthy little plants in 3" pots in the greenhouse, I did notice yesterday 3 more had come through in the seed tray I used which I had put outside the greenhouse. Do they germinate at different times for any reason and do you think its worth hanging on to the tray a while longer? in case any more will come.I've never grown them from seed before I've always bought plants ready for flowering that year, so how long do I leave them in their own pots before planting them into the garden? and now they're between 2-3" across do I leave them in the greenhouse or not?

Gardeners' World Web User

I've just put in a punnet of seedlings in my Templestowe garden and I'm hoping they don't succumb to rust, although I reckon I'm hoping in vain..some of the punnets of plants on sale seemed to have rust spots on the leaves already!!

Gardeners' World Web User

I Have a similar rust spots on my chrysanthemum .I have treated with a fungicide spray it has not been affective should i cut it down or start again with a new plant.

Gardeners' World Web User

can someone tell me if holly hocks are poisonous

Gardeners' World Web User

I planted 5 hollyhock in a shaded corner by my composter. 4 of them died from rust but the other has grown 6 feet. The one I have left I was taking off the rust affected leaves and disposing of them as they came and I have beautiful blooms. Yet a chap down the road who has planted his hollyhock in full sun against a laurel hedge has no rust, magnificent blooms to all his plants and it just looks glorious. This area is clay soil. Next year mine will be planted in full sun away from the composter and maybe that will be the answer. I am determined to have some of these beautiful flowers in my garden.

Gardeners' World Web User

I planted two hollyhocks about 3 years ago in a container but every year they have done nothing but grow to about 4inches tall. A friend told me that they don't like too rich a compost and that they prefer poorer soil. I've moved them and this year they are 6feet tall with lots of flowers coming. The problem is they are covered with this rust that everyone's talking about. If I remove the leaves (those that are left) I'll be left with no leaves at all. What should I do? Leave the leaves or take them all off. Nearly half have died off already. Thanks for any advice x

Gardeners' World Web User

Please can you tell me how to look ater my hollyhocks ,they are covered in rust and most of the leaves are dying off. Thanks