THE HOLLYHOCK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 11 August 1928, Page 4

THE HOLLYHOCK

The hollyhock is a plant that will always be popular, for it is so beautiful and so conspicuous during the blooming period that it strikes the eye most effectively and pleasingly. , The time to sow hollyhocks may be described as extending from April (October in New Zealand) until about the middle of June (December), and the best position is a wapm, sunny ono, • where tliero is a good depth of medium-class soil that is clear of weeds and in good heart. ,Sow in drills 12iu apart,, sowing thinly, and. eventually thinning out the plants to 4in apart. Plant in permanent position in September (March). Propagation may also bo done by division of the old roots after the end of the blooming season.

Be particular to keep the surface stirred about the established plants that are expected to bloom, and also to keep down weeds. Another, and most important, matter, is to provide support early for the flower stems, for, once broken by the wind, the particular plant is practically ruined . for fhe season. Use sightly stakes that can be relied upon not to give way. They should project at least 6ft. above the ground, and if the plants are of particularly robust type, another couple of feet is all to the good, for a height of 10ft is not at all exceptional where everything .is fully favourable, i During dry weather mulch and water the roots freely, and manure either by applying kainit in liquid form—loz to the gallon of water—once a week, or by hoeing a little into the surface weekly, and then well watering. Sulphate of ammonia is also useful in a like manner, and a little soot every now and then is verv beneficial

As the blooms die they should be removed. Should very fine blooms be desired, the top of'the spikes should be removed directly the lowest blooms begin to show colour. When flowering is finished, cut down the flower-stalks to within 6in of the ground, and encourage immediate formation of basal growth bv hoeing and watering if dry. Active plants survive the winter best.