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Sowing hollyhock seeds

Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
in Plants
Only seem to be finding information to sow hollyhock seeds in early spring or autumn, is that the only recommended times?

I was thinking I'd treat it as a biennial in the same way as foxgloves, sow around now then plant out in the Autumn to flower next year.

Would that work or is it not quite like that for these?
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  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    After more extensive googling, this would seem to back up my idea-

    https://blog.mr-fothergills.co.uk/hollyhock-planting/

    Still curious as to what other folk try though.
  • sarinkasarinka Posts: 270
    I sowed some two weeks ago and they germinated within the week. Will plant them out soon as they are nearly big enough. I expect they will flower well next year.
  • Mary370Mary370 Posts: 2,003
    Just potted on some, will probably plant in Autumn.......
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I direct sowed a week ago under my current row of hollyhocks along my fence.  Many will not survive, but it was a mix of saved seed and some expired seed.. some of come up already. 
    Utah, USA.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Blue Onion said:
    I direct sowed a week ago under my current row of hollyhocks along my fence.  Many will not survive, but it was a mix of saved seed and some expired seed.. some of come up already. 
    Do you let them establish then cut back their foliage come the winter in preparation for next year?
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    The foliage dies back over winter and I just trim off any dead bits but leave anything green.  We get quite a bit of snow, so they stay insulated under there most winters.  Sometimes the entire young plant is still green, in which case I only cut back the leaves if they are ragged.  
    Utah, USA.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Is there a knack to sowing these or any special steps to take? Soak beforehand etc.?

    I sowed 12 not long after starting this thread, so around 3 weeks ago, and only 4 have germinated. Out of those only 2 are doing ok, the other 2 seemed to shrivel and die very quickly with their stems giving up-



    The 2 that are still doing ok look very fragile so I'm tempted to sow a few more into individual pots. 
  • ju1i3ju1i3 Posts: 189
    I sow hollyhock seeds whenever. I have a few seedlings now but I'll sow more when I have more ripe seeds. My main problem is hollyhock weevil so not sure how many viable seeds I'll get.
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Ever tried soaking the seeds first for 12 hours or so?
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Pretty disappointed with these.

    Out of the original 12 I sowed another successful plant has appeared.

    Of the 8 I sowed directly into small pots only 3 have germinated and 2 gave up almost immediately.

    So out of 20 seeds I have 4 viable plants. Wouldn't be so bad if loads came in a packet but that is the entire packet...
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