In article wim1c.106182$Xp.456690@attbi_s54, "Pam - gardengal"
writes:

"Fleemo" wrote in message
om...
Strolling through my garden today, I discovered that my young
hollyhocks *already* have signs of rust. I had to battle rust last
year in this spot. What can I do to help my hollyhocks?

-Fleemo

Unfortunately, rusts are some of the most difficult of fungal problems to
control. and hollyhocks are extremely prone to it. If you see indications of
the rust already, it is too late to spray and the effectiveness of chemical
controls is extremely limited anyway. You have a couple of options - remove
and destroy the plants or live with it. Removing the affected foliage
(typically the bottom leaves) will slow the development of the pathogen.
Plant something low and fluffy to fill the area at the bare base of the
plants. The disease seldom advances far enough to affect blooming. Hollyhock
rust is specific to hollyhocks and other members of that family (Malvaceae).
Make sure other susceptible species are planted well away from the affected
plants.

pam - gardengal


I agree with Pam. Hollyhock rust is mostly cosmetic, and has never killed
my plants nor affected blooms; just the older, bottom leaves. I remove these
as soon as I see signs of rust, and hide the bare legs with other plants.
Whitefly can get to be bad on HH also. When the rust and whitefly get too
bothersome, I do not grow HH for a year.
This seems to break the cycle of problems for another 3-4 years.

Emilie
NorCal.