Is this normal with Hollyhock?

Kent, United Kingdom

I'm a new gardener and everything is a voyage of discovery at the moment. I have grown from seed some Black Hollyhock (Alcea rosea Nigra) this year, and as you can see from the Pic it looks more like rhubarb!! Is it normal in year one to grow so much leaf? Is that a good thing i.e. is the soil too rich for it? I presume that is rust on it as well; any product recommendation for that too? Thanks in advance for any advice?

On plant Alcea rosea Nigra

10 Aug, 2009

Answers

Mookins

I have alcea rosea too but creme de cassis, and I thought It had gone mental!! I planted 3 and wish they were further apart as they are huge. dont panic

not sure aboout the rust part though hun

x x x

10 Aug, 2009

$fractal$

Fractal

This will be one spectacular plant next year!!!

They are biennial so make growth and food reserves (mostly stored in the root) the first year from seed, then explode into flower the following year.

Make sure you sow more next year to fill in the gap and keep a succession of flowering plants or you will miss a year. Save some of the seed too from this plant too.

ps always have more than one plant if you are wanting to save seed as cross pollinated plants usually produce better (viable) seed and growth than plants that have to self set on their own.

Enjoy!

10 Aug, 2009

Darryl

Thank you, do I cut it back for the winter? Or what do you suggest?

10 Aug, 2009

$fractal$

Fractal

No, these are the winter leaves too. Just leave well alone. Some of the food reserves will be stored in these leaves too and removing them will reduce the plants performance next year. Cutting it back would be even worse!

10 Aug, 2009

Bamboo

You can buy a spray to treat the rust from the garden centre - but this particular black one unfortunately is very prone to rust - your plant looks very healthy though. I grew them 2 years ago in a garden, the rust was so bad, we gave up.

10 Aug, 2009