Hollyhock weird leaves

I have planted Hollyhocks from seed this year and they wont flower till next year.

however i have noticed recently that the leaves ha started turning yellowy colour. also noticed like little rust coloured dots all over the underside of the leaves.

does anyone have a clue what this is? and is it harming the plants?

thanks

Will

 

Hi Will
This is Holyhock rust - it is rare for a Hollyhock NOT to get it - pull off the affected leaves & bin or burn them & any that fall on the ground Here's a pic of one of mine which also had rust - as you can see it doesn't really bother them! Just keep picking off the leaves (This one grew to 2.4m -about 8 feet!)

 

hi thanks for the reply

what if a lot of the leaves have got it?

its just seemed to appear over night. hmmmm

anyway ill pick off the yellowing leaved ones first.

get back to me if ya can

thanks

Will

 

Hi Will
Pick off the ones with the most dots on/yellow. My Hollyhocks are dying off now anyway, so don't worry if there aren't many left. They are biennial or short lived perennials.

 

I have just grown some from seed too. So far no rust. But I know they are very prone to it and it is quoted as a major not to grow them. A couple of years ago I grew some Malva Sylvestris - must be a close relative - also pretty tall - 6 foot. It was wonderful the first year when it flowered profusely. But has had rust since and been rubbish.

Are there any strains of Holyhock that are rust resistant. And does spraying help, or is it beyond hope.

 

I always spray mine - no organic gardener, me!!
But somehow they seem to cope despite the rust. I believe I saw in a catalogue some while back, a strain of HH that were reputedly rust resistant. Be interesting to know if anyone has tried these and is it true?

 

Bayleaf - what gorgeous HH! The colour is stunning!