Greetings, human. I am your hollyhock, a proud sentinel of the garden, reaching for the sun with my tall, flower-laden spires. Lately, you've been noticing a change in my appearance—a troubling yellowing of my once vibrant green leaves. This is my way of communicating that something is amiss in my world. Please, listen closely, for I will explain the reasons behind my distress and what you can do to restore my vitality.
My roots are my lifeline, but they need to breathe. When I am forced to sit in constantly soggy, poorly drained soil, my roots begin to suffocate and rot. This condition, which you call root rot, prevents me from absorbing essential nutrients and water. The first sign I can show you is the yellowing of my lower, older leaves. It is a slow, suffocating cry for help. The solution is not to drown me in more water, but to ensure my feet are in well-draining soil. If I am in a container, make sure it has adequate drainage holes. In the garden, amending heavy clay soil with compost can improve its structure and allow excess water to flow away from my delicate roots.
Conversely, a lack of consistent moisture is equally stressful. As a large plant, I require a significant amount of water, especially during hot, dry, or windy periods. When I am parched, I cannot transport nutrients effectively, and I will start to conserve resources. This often means sacrificing my older leaves, causing them to turn yellow and crispy before they drop. Your goal should be to provide me with deep, infrequent watering that soaks the root zone rather than a superficial sprinkle. A layer of organic mulch around my base will be a great comfort, helping to retain soil moisture and keep my roots cool.
Yellowing leaves can also be a sign of malnutrition. If my lower leaves are turning yellow while the veins remain green, I may be suffering from a deficiency in iron. If the yellowing starts between the veins on newer leaves, it could indicate a lack of manganese. A general, overall pale yellow hue often points to a nitrogen deficiency. To address this, you can offer me a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a specific supplement tailored to the missing nutrient. Remember, feeding me when my roots are waterlogged is futile, as I cannot absorb the food—so always address drainage issues first.
We hollyhocks are sometimes plagued by fungal diseases like rust (*Puccinia malvacearum*). This is not a simple yellowing; you will see tell-tale orange, yellow, or brown pustules on the undersides of my leaves, with corresponding yellow spots on the top surfaces. Rust weakens me significantly. To combat this, please ensure I have good air circulation by not overcrowding me with other plants. Water me at the base to keep my leaves dry, and promptly remove and destroy any infected foliage—do not compost it, as the spores will survive. As a preventative measure, a fungicide labeled for rust may be necessary.
Lastly, small pests like spider mites or aphids can cause my leaves to yellow. These creatures pierce my leaf tissues and suck out the sap, robbing me of nutrients and causing stippling and discoloration. You may need to look closely, especially on the undersides of leaves, for these tiny invaders or their fine webbing. A strong spray of water from your hose can often dislodge them. For more persistent infestations, insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils can be effective, but please apply them with care, preferably in the cooler hours of the evening.
