Holes and eaten away leaves on Hollyhocks

Hi

My potted Holkyhocks have started to develop these mysterious eaten leaves and holes. I’ve put slug pellets but can’t see any slug evidence. Can’t see any caterpillars either. There’s also slight white dust under a couple of leaves that have ever so slightly yellowed lower leaves .any thoughts ?

These plants are like my babies as I’m determined to plant a row of double flowers hollyhocks for 2022!

 

I'm having similar problems with mine @Shaneoak, I suspect that the best thing is to put them in their eventual positions in the ground but this is my first time trying them, that way you end up with larger plants that can withstand more adversity. I've never seen them thrive in containers, put it that way!

Will be very interested to see what experienced growers say!

Nick

 

hey- So have yours been eaten too? I've read that Hollyhocks are prone to alot of issues. My seem to be doing great otherwise in the pots. I do need to plant them out asap though.

 

Yup, something's definitely had a good nibble! I've only purchased one plant as I just want one in a border to provide a touch of burgundy. It's Alcea rosea 'Nigra', I'm hoping it self-seeds after flowering.

Nick

 

My Hollyhocks are grown mostly in large pots
Small pot -- small plant
Recent photos including Chaters double bought as plug plants last year from eBay
One lcea rosea 'Nigra'

 

One more piccy

 

Oh they look lovely. So what inch pot do you put them in ?

 

I think o caught the culprit! The lemon tree and clematis have been eaten too and today I saw little green catapillars on them! I’ll snap a pic , I bet it’s them eating hollyhocks too . Not sure what type though

 

That's what I thought with both yours and mine, caterpillars not slugs as the damage didn't look right for them, trouble is when I Googled pest damage on hollyhocks it just came up without telling you which was which, so I couldn't confirm it! I'll take a photo of mine tomorrow.

Nick

 

Planted my Alcea rosea 'Nigra' today, a few nibbles on about half of the leaves but also about four new shoots from the base, I think it'll be fine. I'm guessing the damage is older as the smaller leaves haven't been chewed.

Nick

 

Hollyhocks
I mix Blood, fish and bone fertiliser into a multi purpose potting compost and occasionally feed with a liquid tomato plant feed

....size of pot ?

 

Brilliant. Thanks for that. Gives me some idea of pot size. Mine are in a 9 cm pot at moment. I’ll take a pic

 

It looks pretty attacked ! Did you get a pic of the critter responsible?

 

No, but I haven't seen any nibbling for a few weeks, so I'm optimistic.

Nick

 

Six Hollyhock plug plants arrived today, via eBay
I will be trying to save and sow seeds this Autumn
The p/plants are just insurance