1. Seed Selection: Choose high-quality hollyhock seeds from a reputable supplier or harvest them from healthy plants if you have them.
2. Timing: Hollyhock seeds are best sown indoors about 8-10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. This allows them to establish before transplanting them outdoors.
3. Preparation of Planting Medium: Use a well-draining potting mix or seed starting mix. Fill seed trays or small pots with the planting medium, leaving some space at the top.
4. Sowing Seeds: Place 1-2 hollyhock seeds in each pot or cell of the seed tray. Press the seeds gently into the soil, but do not bury them too deep; a light covering of soil is sufficient.
5. Moisture: Water the soil thoroughly after planting to ensure that it is evenly moist. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to damping off, a fungal disease that affects seedlings.
6. Covering: Optionally, you can cover the seed trays or pots with a plastic dome or clear plastic wrap to create a mini-greenhouse effect, which helps to maintain humidity levels.
7. Temperature and Light: Place the seed trays in a warm location with indirect sunlight or under grow lights. Hollyhock seeds germinate best at temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
8. Germination Time: Keep an eye on the seeds, as germination typically takes 10-14 days, although it can sometimes take longer.
9. Transplanting: Once the seedlings have developed true leaves and are large enough to handle, usually after 6-8 weeks, they can be transplanted into larger pots or directly into the garden. Harden off the seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions before transplanting them.
10.Outdoor Planting: Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for planting hollyhocks outdoors. Space the plants about 18-24 inches apart to allow for their mature size.
11.Care: Water the newly transplanted seedlings regularly to keep the soil evenly moist until they become established. Once established, hollyhocks are relatively low-maintenance but may benefit from occasional fertilization and deadheading to promote continuous blooming.
