Re: hollyhocks/rust

>Anybody have any idea on how to control rust spots on my hollyhocks...
>I've been cutting off the leaves that are really bad and tossing them in the
>trash, not the compost pile, but its not really solving the problem.<<
>
>Doreen,

Dear Doreen,
Below is from our FAQ (from rec.gardens posts) on rust and hollyhocks....It
works:

We don't know if this is considered 'organic' but we believe it to be
COMPLETELY SAFE and harmless to life on this planet, except, of course, for
rust!

Second:  Our evidence is anectdotal, and reinforced by knowledgeable
'experts' who we consulted.  We have never read anywhere that this does
work (so we can't cite references),
and can't tell you why it works......and if you are familiar with our
posts, you know we always demand that others back up their statements with
facts.

With that stated ...(aren't you excited?)...here goes:

Spray the plants with a weak solution of chelated iron, about once a week,
all summer long.  We followed the manufaturer's instructions.  We got a
quart container from Home Depot, rather cheaply (a lifetime supply).  It
was prepared for use on lawns (and is a concentrate).  The dilution was
something like 2TBS/gallon of water.  One is supposed to spray it when the
plants are not in full sun, and until the liquid runs off the leaves.  The
only caution was that it would stain concrete a rust color.  We did not see
any staining in the garden or on our hands (we were not near any concrete).

It has the added advantage of repairing the yellowing of leaves caused by
drought conditions (as we experienced last summer as well).  The reason
that works (we were told) is because during droughts, the iron in the soil
gets 'bound up' chemically and the roots can't draw it from the
soil......hence classic 'chlorotic' leaves (the giveaway symptom is that
the leaf gets sickly yellow, but the veins stay greener).

We have read that rust and hollyhocks go hand in hand, and to just accept
it.  That the plants will do OK despite the problem.  Last summer, we gave
some seedlings (which had grown to bushel size in 2 gal pots) of the single
black hollyhocks to a rather distinguished garden designer friend of ours
in upstate NY....When he saw them, he exclaimed how beautiful they were.
When I started to babble how we grew and fed them, he stopped me and said,
"Oh yes, they are well grown alright, but look!, no rust!"  When we told
him about the chelated iron, he said, well of course!  (see, experts,
anecdotal evidence........but as we've said about other's rememdies:
.....and it also kept the elephants away!).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>end of Faq >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

After posting the above, last year on rec.gardens, we got reports from all
areas of the US that it does, in fact, work on preventing rust from
forming.  It does not get rid of already formed rust, but it will stop the
spread once an outbreak occurs.

Bill & Harvey
SKID Plants  Zone 6  CT  USA


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