[dustcartkev]

hi can anyone help please, i have got some hollyhock seeds when is a good time to sow, and can i start them off indoors, or is that a bad idea, cheers kev

[sion01]

The hollyhocks i grow are biennial and I dont sow until early june but I hae experimented this year with some in september and their good stubby little plants now.Il have a look on the seed packets if theres a proper date

[sion01]

No seed packets im afraid but RHS with most hollyhocks say sow in mid /early summer but there is one Alcea Rosea 'Summer Carnival' group that is best grown as an annual and sown in mid/late winter at 13 degrees.Most if not all hollyhocks  are actualy short lived perennials.

If you haven't got the specific name i'd gamble on sowing in May/June.Most people sow where they are to flower outside but I take the easy option of sowing seeds singularly in propacks in my little plastic frame thinggy.They dont really need heat and i've started some in three inch pots outside when space was limited.They normally germinate really quickly and the plants are healthy and want to live.Good luck

[Trillium]

I've sown hollyhocks about this time of year and quite often get bloom the first summer. Normally they're biennial but by starting them early now you can sneak past that little point.

Should have said that I start and keep them indoors until planting out/hardening off times.

[dustcartkev]

I've sown hollyhocks about this time of year and quite often get bloom the first summer. Normally they're biennial but by starting them early now you can sneak past that little point.

Should have said that I start and keep them indoors until planting out/hardening off times.

thanks for advice. i will get some going now.

[Poolcue]

I sowed some seeds on 25/10 this year in a tray in the conservatory,once they were up I relocated them to an unheated blowaway and they seem to be doing OK.