Failed Hollyhock

[Marb67]

Well, yet again a plant grown last year from seed has gone to nothing. It was very healthy right up until the last few weeks when the leaves died and the stem just came away severed. No pests in the cold greenhouse. So a years growth to get flowers this year won't happen

[Containergardener]

I've never overwintered one as I don't have any, so I don't know but I do overwinter a lot of plants.
Have you been watering it?


There are little leaves there? The stem could have been off a previous flowering stem.

[Marb67]

The little leaves are loose, not connected to what was the plant. I do have 1 more but of course it has to be covered in rust.

[Containergardener]

Had they been connected to the stem ?

Hollyhocks are notorious for rust that's why I don't bother.
Have you tried them from seed?

[Marb67]

Had they been connected to the stem ?

Hollyhocks are notorious for rust that's why I don't bother.
Have you tried them from seed?

Yes, they are from seed.

Same thing happening to self grown lupin stem. 😞

[bramble]

Marble, my eyesight not the best but that lupin looks healthy enough to me if you trim off the outer old leaves.
Also, I think your plant would be better planted out in the open ground.
The roots need more space than in a pot.
Best of luck,

[Containergardener]

I don't see anything wrong with the lupin.

[Marb67]

Marble, my eyesight not the best but that lupin looks healthy enough to me if you trim off the outer old leaves.
Also, I think your plant would be better planted out in the open ground.
The roots need more space than in a pot.
Best of luck,

If you look closely you can see a thin taper on one of the leaf stems which is causing it to wilt. I'll do what you suggest though and chop them off. I can't plant out or the slugs will demolish them.

Thanks

[Containergardener]

It's winter though. Normally they are dormant underground.
Looks better than any of mine over the years.
Does it have alot of root system? When was it last potted on?

[Marb67]

It's winter though. Normally they are dormant underground.
Looks better than any of mine over the years.
Does it have alot of root system? When was it last potted on?

I potted it on into Clover Multi-Purpose Compost

[Containergardener]

Well it looks healthy to me.

[Martin H]

Both hollyhock and lupin are planted rather deeper than I would like. It's good to keep the crown of these perennials level with the surface of the compost, otherwise you can get winter rot.

[Marb67]

Well the healthy Hollyhock is now covered in rust. I keep cutting off the infected leaves but it doesn't get rid of it like it should. I just can't win.

[Nicos]

I wonder if the hollyhocks would be better out of the blowaway to try to prevent the rust? they do tend to do better in full sun with a good airflow.
My self seeded ones are just coming up now in the gravel path where they have their backs to the south facing wall and not in shade.
Having said that, the ones in shade are only a couple of weeks behind.

It might be worth trying to spray using 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar dissolved in 2 pints of water as a natural fungicide if you’ve not tried anything yet?

[Marb67]

Thanks, I will try the cider vinegar as I have plenty of it as I take it every day.