HOLLYHOCK HINTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 792, 12 October 1929, Page 32

HOLLYHOCK HINTS

SOW THEM NOW For large borders to form a background, nothing is finer than massed hollyhocks. These can be had in : separate colours, or in general mixture. Ti iey can also be had in singles , and doubles, plain-edged and frilled, so one can see what a full range wo possess. The h illyhock belongs to the mallow family, and, strictly speaking, is a | perennial, but is best treated as an ! annual, as old plants get infested with j rust, ai id if treated as perennials this ; is grcjratly overcome. The best time to sow the seed is ! early autumn, as then they will flower the foiiov/ing summer. They can also be retried in spring in a seed bed, and when, large enough to handle placed in the ir permanent places, or another method is to sow two or three seeds about ar. inch deep, and at intervals of IS inches, and when growing, thin out, and leave the best plant. By follofiving this method, a good percentage will flower the same year. W’ith the fine strains procurable, the .colours can be had separately, but tilep can be struck from cuttings, if a particularly good plant is wanted; by taking off’ with a heel, the side shoots at base can be stuck in light sandy soil.. 13 ollyhocks delight in a good rich soil, and sunny position. When they begin to send up their flower spikes, a good stout stake should be placed to tie them to, to save them from getting knocked about with the wind. They grow very tall, and if tall spikes are wanted, liquid manure can be given weekly. They require plenty off water during the growing season. A good heavy mulching of manure before the hot weather sets in will be beneficial. As the flowers fade, remove them to stop them from seeding, and cut down to within a few inches of the ground when the spikes h live finished flowering. This helps the other spikes to develop, and when this second lot of flowers is finished | they are best pulled up and burnt, to ' l save them from getting attacked with ■ j tho fungus disease generally called j rust.