Sowing Hollyhocks

[the_pumpkin_queen]

I have many hollyhock seeds I plan on growing and have read two opposing opinions on when to plant. #1-Sow outdoors after danger of all frost. #2 Sow in fall for blooms in June/July.
I know there has to be some HH growers here and was wondering whent he best time to sow is, and can I sow them indoors in trays to transplant them more easily? I read they had taproots and have to be transplanted rather quickly so wasn't sure if that would work.
I will appriciate any advice!
~Jessi

[lovetogarden]

I originally sowed my hollyhocks in the spring. Now, after they bloom, I just scatter the seeds in the area I want them to grow. They self sow easily. I do believe they can be done both ways, neither being the wrong or right method.

[Nemophila]

I read somewhere (on a seed packet, I think) that if you start hollyhocks indoors they lose their perennial habit. I've never tried it so I don't have a clue whether it's right or not.

[Pharmerphil]

In zone 7 I would just do as lovetogarden states, just plant them, and let them grow!
To start your seed, I would, in your zone, plant them in the fall.

[GreenZone]

In my experience if you start them early indoors they may bloom the first year. They are really biennials or short-lived perennials. One way I've found to get my money's worth is to plant the offsets (small plants that grow off the main stem). They don't usually have much root on them but if you set them in properly moist weather most will usually take. These starts seemed to be at least a little faster than seed.
--Randel

[deb65802]

they sound easy to grow. I have never tried them. I see them in alot of yards throughout the area.

deb

[donsgal]

I have many hollyhock seeds I plan on growing and have read two opposing opinions on when to plant. #1-Sow outdoors after danger of all frost. #2 Sow in fall for blooms in June/July.
I know there has to be some HH growers here and was wondering whent he best time to sow is, and can I sow them indoors in trays to transplant them more easily? I read they had taproots and have to be transplanted rather quickly so wasn't sure if that would work.
I will appriciate any advice!
~Jessi

I do it the way nature does it. I throw them around in the fall. I haven't had to plant any new hollyhock seeds for the past 7 -8 years, however, since my existing hollyhock plants take care of that very well for me. And I still have probably about 50,000 hollyhock seeds in coffee cans "just in case". My husband asks me why I save them and I tell him that I feel if all the hollyhocks in the world died, it would be up to me to repopulate them! LOL

donsgal
bigtime hollyhock lover

[flowerpower]

I am going to try Hollyhock again this year. I have already winter-sown a bunch of seeds. I might just toss some around today and see what happens. I am pretty sure I scatttered some in the fall.

[farmergirl]

Anyone know about growing these in Cental Texas? I LOVE Hollyhocks, but have never had opportunity to grow any myself.

[dirtundernails]

In South Dakota they were like weeds. Just try and get rid of them!

Pretty, but as easy as they come, IMO.

DUN says, thow em on the ground, spit and stomp. They are planted.

Hubby of DUN.

[Pharmerphil]

Trivia: Hollyhocks used to be planted, around the Outhouse, this was a way, for Ladies to be able to locate the 'facilities' without asking, and there by announcing the need! ;)

[TennOC]

Phil: Not just for ladies either. Those big leaves are soft, ya know! And they're insecticidal. Use the ones from about 2 feet off the ground, less insects. Closest thing there is to "grow your own TP". Better if you line them up all along the path, not just _at_ the outhouse. I ...er...uh, "heard" this all from a hillbilly friend you understand.