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Post by Tucson Grower on Jan 12, 2023 10:05:04 GMT -6
Double Hollyhocks - Alcea rosea, I'm sure Margaret would love these. When I lived in Las Cruces, NM and went to college there I rented a room, first from a nice fellow named Jay, then later, after he needed to move elsewhere in the state (he was a supervisor in the NM highway division), I worked for Margaret, doing housekeeping and yardwork/gardening for room and board. I met them both at church.
Margarets favorite flowers were hollyhocks, we only knew of the typical single flowered form, back then. I'm sure Margaret would love these double flowered types, too. For the first 3 years, after Diane and I were married, we visited Margaret each Easter, until she moved to Alaska to live with her son.
I just ordered some seed of the variety pictured here.
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Post by heavyhitterokra on Jan 14, 2023 13:59:15 GMT -6
Great memories! My Grandma Fannie, Aunt Ida, and my Aunt Mandie used to grow hollyhocks every year.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jan 18, 2023 4:12:19 GMT -6
Tucs, how are you germinating these? I’ve three different varieties right now. A couple are old seed. I’ve been trying for years. I guess the seeds don’t remain viable for long?
Red
Black
Outhouse variety (mixed singles)
I learned yesterday that the entire plant is edible. I really need these in my yard.
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jan 18, 2023 9:31:49 GMT -6
I'm planning to use my usual seed starting method. Cell packs with bottom heat to about 75-77F. We will see how that does. I haven't grown any for about 30 years. Somewhere I have seed of those single types from back then. I wouldn't expect any would still be viable.
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Post by amyinowasso on Jan 18, 2023 11:40:58 GMT -6
Malva sylvestris, zebrina hollyhocks, are edible, very Hardy and tolerate Oklahoma heat.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jan 18, 2023 16:43:36 GMT -6
Thanks! I didn’t have a heat mat in the past. I’ll give that a try in late winter.
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jan 18, 2023 17:38:46 GMT -6
I just discovered this variety, "Chaters Double Violet"
I guess I should try it too.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jan 18, 2023 18:32:19 GMT -6
Oh muh gollies! Those are so gorgeous!
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jan 19, 2023 0:01:57 GMT -6
FrostyTurnip, Word is that hollyhock seed germinate best after a cold stratification. I figure to soak them for 24 hours in a solution of mycorrhizae (garden inoculant), then wrap them in a damp paper towel, place seed and paper towel into a ziploc bag, then into refrigerator for 6-8 weeks. After this stratfication period, place each seed on the surface of media in starter cells, gently press them onto the soil surface but be sure they are still visible (they need light to trigger germination). Keep media moist and at abut 75-77F. The seed should germinate in 12-21 days.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jan 19, 2023 14:03:12 GMT -6
Thank you! I’ve been so busy and it becomes tedious to spend hours looking for the specialists. Every flower/plant is different on seed germination. Most introductory searches say the same thing “Sow in early spring . . “ and it doesn’t work on everything. LOL
I just put them back into the freezer because of your comment. I started some new seed in the freezer also, just in case I messed up the others.
Even so, Oklahoma doesn’t stay cold for long stretches, so I don’t see them everywhere except well manicured landscaped flower beds. Now, once they get root established, they’ll probably need a little care but will continue on with its seed not making it through winters. Makes a lot of sense, actually, considering the methods I have tried and the subsequent failures to establish germination. I’ve placed them in the freezer before, but it wasn’t very long; Only as long as I put the poppies in there. I guess my Shirley poppy seeds do not require as much cold stratification. The poppies usually end up germinating nicely in the fridge after a couple weeks being frozen and sprout right in the bag. Then, when their roots are still short, I place the bag in higher temperatures and wait for a cold day/eve to set them out into the soil to get rooted in. Or I just put them out right away if it’s cold enough. Temps are tricky. I leave them on the towel and divvy up the towel to spread them out a bit. Thin later or let them duke it out among themselves.
I’m tempted to buy those violets, but I should probably just work with my somewhat fresh Outhouse Hollyhock seeds, a regular mix variety.
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jan 24, 2023 16:54:12 GMT -6
After soaking 6 seeds of the double purple type, see pic above. This morning I planted them in a 6-pack seed starter tray. I only have patience for stratification if they first fail without it.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Jan 24, 2023 19:16:36 GMT -6
Hot dog!
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Post by Tucson Grower on Jan 30, 2023 10:14:01 GMT -6
I sowed these 6 seed on the media surface. This morning, radicles were poking out of 3, so I carefully, and gently, burried the radicles into the media.
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Post by Tucson Grower on Feb 4, 2023 12:12:44 GMT -6
Update: Now I'm a little anxious, because there has been no further movement from these seed.
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Post by FrostyTurnip on Feb 4, 2023 14:40:48 GMT -6
Maybe they’re rooting in? I placed some hollyhock seed in plugs this week since you had success. Noticed a couple came up already. It’s nice. I’ve been in a downer all week and their presence lifted my spirits. Same with the Shasta daisies. I think I’ll start some more of each. Next year will be prettier.
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