Over wintering next years plants question

[4390evans]

Ive started some hollyhock off this.year, i have the foilage but some of it is dying back. What should I do.to.over winter it?
Do i put it in a bigger pot?
Thabks guys

[Martin H]

My hollyhock seedlings are in individual pots. The foliage is starting to die down now for the winter. I'm planning to plant them out soon, I'm sure they'll be happier in ground than in pots. But if any of them have to stay in pots I'll leave them alone until the spring.

How big are the pots? Got a picture?

[4390evans]

They are just in the 6 packs for bow, il get a pic on when I get in

[WendyC]

I wouldn't pot them on now. As Martin said leave alone or plant out. Just wish mine had germinated as they promised to be rust resistant.

[Martin H]

Just wish mine had germinated as they promised to be rust resistant.

Mine claim to be rust resistant but they are a long way from rust-free. They do survive, though.

[craftymarie]

I had great germination with mine this year but every single one got bad cases of rust and I've spent so much time cutting back the affected leaves until they were basically just stalks with flower heads on. They do look nice in flower but the rust was such a problem that I'm not sure I'd bother growing any more - especially as the lupins I grew at the same time also had stunning flowers but no fungus or disease issues.

I've cut them all down now and am leaving them in the pots as they are. I think they're pretty hardy since we've got one in the ground that's been going for about 3 years and I've never bothered to try and protect it over the winter - just cut the stalks down low and that's it.

[roitelet]

The single ones are less prone to rust.

[4390evans]

So does all the foilage die back to the ground even though its the first year foilage, then they re-grow next year with flower etc?

Do I water over the winter, or is there a last watering time?

[WendyC]

You'll probably be left with a few leaves over the winter. Just keep on the dry side of moist over the winter, if they are outside they probably won't need watering at all. Underwater rather than over water.

[Jonny.D]

After reading this thread I'm wondering should these seedlings be planted out, or left in the greenhouse to overwinter?

[Martin H]

Jonny, probably either will be fine, but personally I would plant them out because they need less looking after that way.

[Martin H]

Mine are only a little bit bigger and a little bit rustier: