[Broadhaven]

I grew Hollyhocks for the first time last year and when the flowers were out they suffered from rust. Just looking at them this morning and they already have rust on the leaves, They are about 12/18 inch high. can I do anything to save them and will they still flower if I leave them in.

[tosca100]

Oh dear, I have grown hollyhocks and they did indeed have rust every year even though they had quite an airy spot. They still flowered but lokked a sight. Someone knowledgable on here will maybe be able to help.

[catllar]

I was told to cut back to the ground (yes I know, it seems harsh), remove all the old leaves and any surrounding litter and then spray the new leaves as soon as they appear. Here we would use Bordeaux mix but I'm sure you have something more elegant in UK. It did improve things but to be honest I eventually wound up hiking 'em out!

[Yorkie]

I think rust is almost inevitable in this country on hollyhocks.

[monsta]

Copied from : http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/1412.html


Hollyhock plants don't have many disease problems, but one fungus that plagues them is rust. All of the green parts of the plant are susceptible to infection. The plant rarely dies from rust, though severe infections cause yellowing and early fall of the leaves.

Rust occurs most often in the spring and autumn. Early detection is important to gain control and stop the rust from spreading. Rust first appears on the underside of the lowest leaves as lemon-yellow to orange, almost waxy, pustules that turn reddish brown with age. Pustules are small, blister-like formations. On the leaf surface opposite the pustules, larger bright-yellow to orange spots with reddish centers develop. Once on the leaves, rust can quickly spread to stems and other leaves.

Pick and destroy infected leaves at the first sign of rust. Cut down and destroy infected stocks when plants are finished blooming. Rust spores overwinter in ground debris, and if not removed by early spring, can spread more hollyhock rust. Removing ground debris helps control the fungus. If a Garden is mulched, the mulch should be removed and replaced each spring.

Chemical control may be necessary if rust reoccurs. Sulfur, applied as a dust or liquid spray, is effective and must be aimed at the underside of lower leaves. Using sulfur, providing good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering, especially in the evening, will reduce the severity of hollyhock rust. Some plant varieties are rust resistant.

[Yorkie]

That's very interesting monsta.

Please could you insert the weblink of the site you got it from, or else we have copyright issues.  Thanks.

[Trillium]

I get rust on mine as well and really don't worry about them too much. They'll flower regardless but I make sure I dispose of the finished leaves and plant so not to keep spreading it about. One trick I sometimes use is to make a spray with 1 part vinegar to 10 parts water and spray affected areas. This sets the rust back a bit.

[joyfull]

I have just found this fact sheet about hollyhocks which explains the same as Monstas post if you would care to look 

http://plantclinic.cornell.edu/FactSheets/hollyhockrust/hollyhockrust.htm

Hope this helps 

[monsta]

That's very interesting monsta.

Please could you insert the weblink of the site you got it from, or else we have copyright issues.  Thanks.

sorry i wont help anymore!

[joyfull]

It's not that your help isn't appreciated but if any information comes from a book or off a website then the author of the book or the web site must be acknowledged as part of the copyright laws.

[monsta]

It's not that your help isn't appreciated but if any information comes from a book or off a website then the author of the book or the web site must be acknowledged as part of the copyright laws.

my bad! sorry i dont have that info, i'll keep it in mind for next time   

[Aunt Sally]

Bad Monsta 

I've added a citation to your post for you me dear 

[monsta]

Yup thats the one alrighty!