Re: Hollyhocks

In a message dated 1/7/03 10:13:41 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
logicpilot@worldnet.att.net writes:


> beetles do too.  So I stopped growing these plants for years now.  But, this
> year I'm going to try once again.   Any one have ideas about the beetles?

You can grow these large leafed plants without beetle damage if you are 
willing to dust them continuously.  When the rain washes off the dust, you 
have to replace it.  You will keep the plants reasonable free of JB's but 
will have to put us with a plant covered with some kind of pesticide dust.  
Pyrethrum or rotenone will do it. They will avoid leaves and flowers with any 
dust residue.

That being said, I have wondered if some other compound, even a non-lethal 
sort might have the same effect.  JB's are on plants only in the sun hours.  
On shaded days or after the sun goes down, they drop off into the soil and 
are cleverly hidden until the next hot sun.  They tend to feed when you are 
less interested in being in the garden.  A friend tried some flour and some 
cornstarch.  Both change properties when wet so that was not a good idea.  It 
would need to be something lightweight and if green would not be noticed 
much.  Something to work on.

Claire Peplowski
NYS z4

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