What is eating my hollyhock leaves?
The hollyhock weevil eats small irregular holes in the leaves while Japanese beetles can riddle the leaves with holes eventually skeletonizing them. Knock these pests into a bucket of soapy water to reduce their population and feeding damage. Caterpillars and sawflies can also eat irregular shaped holes in the leaves.
What kills bugs on hollyhocks?
Spray insecticidal soap directly on these pests; it will kill them on contact. If caught early in the season, you may be able to prevent them from laying eggs by checking nightly and destroying the pests you find, until no more hollyhock weevils are detected.
How do I protect my hollyhocks from bugs?
Spray with pyrethrin, carbaryl or acephate only as a last resort, as these broad spectrum insecticides can also kill any beneficial insects residing in the garden. To be most effective, spraying should be done in the late evening.
Who is eating my hollyhocks?
Insects. While many insects find the leaves to be quite tasty, the two that are most common are the hollyhock weevil (Apion longisrostre), and the larvae of the sawfly. The hollyhock weevil looks a bit like the common tick; it measures about 1/8th of an inch and has relatively long legs and a snout.
How do you keep hollyhocks healthy?
Provide regular water and keep soil moist for starting hollyhocks. However, once well established, they are fairly drought tolerant. Water from below and avoid wetting the foliage, as this can lead to diseased leaves.
How do you maintain hollyhocks?
Hollyhocks need full sun and moist, rich, well drained soil. The mistake many novice hollyhock growers make is to plant this flower in soil that’s too dry. If you are planting seeds, sow them outside about a week before last frost. If you are planting seedlings out, wait about two to three weeks after last frost.
How do you treat hollyhocks?
The fungicides tebuconazole (Provanto Fungus Fighter Concentrate), tebuconazole with trifloxystrobin (Provanto Fungus Fighter Plus, Toprose Fungus Control & Protect), and triticonazole (Fungus Clear Ultra) are approved for the control of rust diseases on ornamental plants, and can be used against hollyhock rust.
Should you deadhead hollyhocks?
Deadheading hollyhock plants isn’t necessary, but it is a good idea. It can help keep the blooms going longer throughout the season and also keeps your plants looking nicer and tidier. Think of deadheading this plant as a way of pruning to coax it into producing flowers right up to the fall and even the first frost.
Why are the leaves on my hollyhocks turning yellow?
Rust fungus is the curse of hollyhocks. The undersides of the leaves are often peppered with bright yellow or orange-red rust spots with corresponding beige-yellow splodges on the upper surface. Eventually, it affects the whole plant, with leaves starting to fall away from the base.
Should I deadhead my hollyhocks?
Should I cut back hollyhocks in the fall?
Cut Back: Hollyhocks With stalks up to six feet high, these cottage garden staples can get gangly in the fall. Cut back the sturdy stems about six inches from the soil to prevent problems and plant diseases such as leaf rust. If you have seed pods, scatter them in the fall for more plants in the spring.
How many years do hollyhocks last?
two to three years
First of all, hollyhocks are a short lived perennial. This means that most varieties will only live two to three years. Their lifespan can be extended some by removing growing hollyhock flowers as soon as they fade.
How often should I water hollyhocks?
two to three times per week
Water daily for the first few weeks after planting, and regularly after that, keeping the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Once hollyhocks grow to maturity, they become relatively drought-tolerant, so you can then decrease your watering frequency to two to three times per week for the rest of the growing season.
How do I save my hollyhocks?
Cut down hollyhock plants at the end of the season and burn or bury the debris. Use fungicides if necessary. Chlorothalonil and sulfur are good choices. Apply them every seven to ten days or more often if it rains.
Should I deadhead hollyhocks?