Plant, care for, cut and more

Plant mallow correctly

Since the not hardy flower mallow planted in the bed exudes its tropical charm for only one season, the majority of hobby gardeners favor pot culture. How to plant the velvet poplar correctly:

• Lay drainage over the water outlet using broken pottery or pebbles
• Spread an air- and water-permeable fleece over it to protect against silting up
• Fill in a first layer of potting soil and make a hollow in it with your fist
• Unpot the young plant, place it in the center of the hollow and fill the cavities with substrate

Do not place the plant deeper than before and press the soil down with a pricking stick or spoon so that no air pockets form. A pouring edge of 2-3 cm ensures that no water spills over later. After you have watered the flower maple, it stays in the partially shaded location for the first 1-2 weeks to recover from the stress.

care tips

The care program of a flower mallow comes with these few points:

• Water the tropical subshrub evenly with soft rainwater
• Fertilize liquid every 14 days from March to September
• Clean up withered and faded areas promptly
• Cut back by a third or half in early spring
• Water less and don't fertilize

If the velvet poplar stayed under the open sky throughout the summer, it moves to its winter quarters when the temperatures drop. It should be light and cool there, at an ideal 12-15 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, the blossom festival continues on the sunny windowsill at 18 to 22 degrees Celsius.
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Which location is suitable?

Flowering mallow feels at home in a bright to shaded location. As long as it does not come under the influence of the blazing midday sun and remains protected from strong winds and pounding rain, nothing stands in the way of the long-lasting flower spectacle. The Brazilian beauty only lingers on the summery balcony as long as the mercury column is above 12-15 degrees Celsius.

What soil does the plant need?

When choosing the substrate, use high-quality potting soil. This consists of a carefully balanced composition that remains structurally stable and has excellent water storage capacity. If you like to mix it yourself, give 5 parts compost soil 3 parts lava granules and 1 part quartz sand. Aim for a pH between 6.0 and 6.8.

When is flowering time?

The wonderful flower mallow delights us as a houseplant with a long flowering period from April to November. On the balcony and terrace, the flowering period extends from June to October. So that they don't lose their strength prematurely during this feat of strength, consistently clean withered flowers. In this way, the velvet poplar does not invest its energy in the growth of seed heads, but diligently produces more flowers.

Cut the mallow correctly

If you cut out wilted flowers and yellowed leaves in a timely manner, the flower maple will retain its lush appearance. So that the tropical subshrub does not fall into a sparse habit, shorten all shoots by a third or half at the end of the hibernation. The velvet poplar also tolerates a cut in the old wood. In the first two years, we recommend pinching the plant several times a year. This measure promotes lush branching and attracts even more flowers.
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Water the beautiful mallow

In terms of water supply, the flowered hollyhock requires consistency. Keep the root ball slightly moist without waterlogging or drought stress. The tropical beauty reacts angrily to both extremes by dropping flowers and leaves. So keep the trivet with you Eyeto pour out excess water after 10 minutes at the latest.

Fertilize hollyhock properly

The question of the correct nutrient supply for flowering mallows is quickly clarified. Spoil the floral beauty every 14 days from March to September with a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants. No fertilizer is given between October and February, as the subshrub is in a dormant state at this time.

hibernate

Flowering mallow is not hardy. In order for the exotic subshrub to thrive for several years, it depends on this overwintering:

• Grant in autumn when temperatures drop below 12-15 degrees Celsius
• The winter quarters are light and cool, with temperatures not falling below 10 degrees and above 16 degrees Celsius
• Water less and don't fertilize

If you would like to continue to enjoy the beauty of the flowers, place the pot on the bright, warm windowsill at 18 to 22 degrees Celsius.
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multiply hollyhock

Propagation by cuttings is a good way to grow more flowering mallows. In early summer, cut off semi-lignified head shoots that are 8 to 12 cm long. In the lower half, a cutting is defoliated so that rot does not form later. Fill small pots with a mix of peat and sand to insert the offshoots two-thirds into them. After the substrate has been moistened, put a transparent hood over each pot. If kept constantly moist in a warm, half-shaded window seat, rooting progresses quickly.
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How do I plant correctly?

If a flower hollyhock has fully rooted the pot, repot the plant in March. In the new bucket, spread some shards of pottery over the water drain as drainage and fill in a layer of the fresh substrate. Now pot the velvet poplar to shake off the worn-out soil. On this occasion, dead roots are cut out, and too long strands are slightly shortened. Place the freshly potted maple in a semi-shady place for 2 to 3 weeks to regenerate.

Is hollyhock poisonous?

Sensitive hobby gardeners react to direct contact with skin irritations, since the flower maple is classified as slightly poisonous. Since there is still a lack of concrete knowledge about the toxicity, we recommend cultivating the exotic plant out of the reach of children and pets. In addition, gloves prevent damage to health through skin contact.
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Beautiful varieties

• Victorian Lady: The only double flowering variety with ruffled soft pink petals over extra large leaves
• Souvenir de Bonn: Fantastically beautiful with nodding, bell-shaped orange flowers and cream-yellow edged foliage
• Kentish Bell: The yellow flowers adorn a dark heart; thanks to hanging shoots the ideal variety for the hanging basket
• Thompsonii: The green-yellow variegated foliage underlines the bright orange flowers
• Blackberry: A rarity among the flowering mallows thanks to its large, dark purple bell-shaped flowers