How to Plant Hollyhocks
In detail for the concerned netizens, this article explains how to plant hollyhocks and the planting methods and timing for hollyhock seeds in the field of green plants and flowers, with specific content as follows:
In the past, when the editor wrote about hibiscus and Chinese roses, many flower enthusiasts mentioned hollyhocks, haha~~ they are really cute. Although hollyhocks look somewhat similar to hibiscus, they are not the same kind of flowers. Hollyhocks are named after their native region, Sichuan Province, and are also known as "rong kui." They belong to the Malvaceae family and are perennial, upright, herbaceous plants with rhizomes. There are variations in花瓣 shapes, including single, semi-double, and double petals, and the color of the flowers is rich, with common colors being red, pink, white, etc. They bloom from early spring to early autumn every year. Hollyhocks can easily exceed 2 meters in height, which is quite a challenge for someone like me, who is only 159 cm tall. I have to look up to admire the flowers, sigh~~.
Growth Habit Introduction:
Hollyhocks prefer a sunny growing environment and are sensitive to direct strong sunlight but can tolerate semi-shade. They are generally very adaptable, tolerant of saline-alkaline soils, and cold-resistant. They can overwinter in most parts of the country. Their optimal growing temperature is around 15-28 degrees Celsius. When planting, it is best to ensure the soil is rich in humus, deep, fertile, loose, and has good drainage. Avoid waterlogging.
Besides being widely used in landscape gardening for environmental beautification, hollyhocks can also be planted in home courtyards or in pots. The editor will now introduce the specific planting methods.
I. Planting Methods
Although hollyhocks can be propagated by division and cutting, the actual survival rate in everyday life is much lower than that of seed propagation. Therefore, the focus of this article will be on seed propagation.
【Sowing Time】
Hollyhocks can be sown in both spring and autumn. However, since the seed germination temperature is about 21 degrees Celsius and it takes 3 months to bloom after sowing, if sown in autumn, the low winter temperatures will prevent hollyhocks from blooming. Therefore, most areas in the north choose to sow in spring for propagation. In the south, due to the short interval between spring and summer and the rapid temperature rise, seedlings sown in spring may easily die in the high summer temperatures, so autumn sowing is generally chosen. The specific month of sowing does not need to be overly precise. As long as the temperature can be maintained around 21 degrees Celsius for the past 15 days in spring in the north and autumn in the south, it is suitable for sowing.
【Soil Treatment】
The adaptability of hollyhocks has been briefly introduced in the growth habits section. Even planting in saline-alkaline soil is not a big problem, but it depends on whether it is ground planting or pot planting. If the soil is not fertile and the drainage is poor in home pot planting, it will be difficult to grow hollyhocks well.
If planting in the ground at home, it is best to choose a slope in the courtyard with sufficient sunlight for drainage. After selecting the plot, the soil should be deeply turned. Since they prefer fertile soil, it is necessary to dig holes around the turned soil and bury an appropriate amount of decomposed sheep manure or chicken manure as a base fertilizer. It should be noted that hollyhock seedlings are prone to diseases, so it is best to disinfect the soil, which can be done by mixing some insecticides into the soil when turning it.
For pot planting at home, the soil needs to be mixed. You can use a mixture of decomposed leaf soil, garden soil, and decomposed animal manure in a ratio of 3:1:1, or you can use a mixture of peat, perlite (coarse river sand), and decomposed cake fertilizer in the same ratio. If sowing directly in the pot, you can use a 2-gallon pot with the formula 1 soil, sowing one seed per pot. If you plan to thin or transplant later, it is recommended to use the peat and perlite formula for seedlings. Similarly, insecticides should be mixed into the soil when preparing it.
How to Plant Hollyhocks
【Sowing Method】
Generally, the area for home ground planting is much smaller than that for landscape gardening, so there is no need to use the mixed sand soil broadcasting method. Just level the plot and bury one seed every 30 centimeters, or place one seed every 30 centimeters and then cover it with a layer of fine sand or fine soil. The soil thickness should be about 0.5-0.8 centimeters, preferably thin rather than thick, otherwise, it will not be conducive to germination and can lead to seed mildew. After sowing, carefully water the plot with a fine spray to complete the sowing and wait for germination.
For pot planting at home, it also depends on the situation. If choosing to grow seedlings first, you need to fill the seedling tray with the prepared matrix, place the seeds in the seedling tray, one per hole, and then cover with a thin layer of soil. Spray the matrix in the seedling tray thoroughly with a solution mixed with fungicides, cover with plastic wrap or a lid to keep it moist, and germinate in a shaded and dark place for about 7-10 days.
If choosing to sow directly in the pot, it is recommended to use a pot of at least 20 centimeters in diameter. Taking a 2-gallon pot as an example, first, place hard small stones at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer, then fill the pot with soil matrix to about 80% full, tamp it down, and then water it thoroughly with a solution mixed with fungicides. Place the seeds in the center of the soil, cover them with a thin layer of soil, spray the soil surface, and then cover with plastic wrap to keep it moist.
【Transplanting and Potting】
Usually, ground broadcasting will be uneven, leading to the need for thinning later. Since the editor has advised everyone to plant at a distance from the beginning, there is no need for thinning and transplanting in ground planting. After all, hollyhocks have straight roots and are not recommended for transplanting, as it may affect the survival rate. The same goes for pot planting. There is no need for transplanting if sowing directly in the pot, only for seedlings grown in seedling trays. Let's focus on the transplanting method for seedlings grown in trays.
Transplanting can be done when the hollyhock seedlings are about 5 centimeters tall or when they are about 10 centimeters tall, depending on everyone's skill level. If you often grow seedlings and have some experience, you can transplant them when they are still small. If not very skilled, wait until the seedlings are a bit stronger before transplanting. When transplanting, fill the soil into the pot first, then use a seedling lifter to dig up the seedlings with soil and plant them in the pot, slightly pressing the soil around them, then water thoroughly and place them in a well-ventilated shaded area to recover for 3-5 days before moving them to a sunny spot for care.
II. Daily Maintenance
【Appropriate Watering】
After the hollyhock seedlings are transplanted and survive, they should be moved to a sunny spot for care, and watering should be kept up. However, hollyhocks are very sensitive to waterlogging, so the watering frequency should not be too high. Especially for ground planting, the roots of hollyhocks can absorb moisture from deep soil, so even if the surface soil looks dry, there is no need to water it in a hurry. You can water once a week or when the plant leaves slightly start to wilt.
For pot planting, the soil is relatively less, and water evaporation is faster, so watering should be more frequent than for ground planting. During the growing period, you can water every 3 days or so, making sure to water thoroughly each time. During the flowering period, the pot soil should not be too dry or too wet. Too dry is not conducive to the water needed for flowering, and too wet can lead to yellow leaves, falling flowers, and root rot. In summer, if it is a sunny day, it is best to avoid watering during the high temperature period to prevent root damage. Water in the morning or after 6 pm when the soil temperature has lowered. If there is continuous rainy weather, the watering time should be appropriately postponed, and it should not be allowed to rain, otherwise, it will cause the flowers to fall off and the roots to rot.
Of course, in winter, watering should not be too frequent. When the temperature is low, you can water once a month, as long as the soil can maintain a slightly moist condition. The most important thing in winter is not to let the soil get too wet to prevent frost damage.